Environmental technologies Archives - Page 5 of 5

Black Country Chamber Business Awards 2023: submit your entries now

Posted on 24 August 202329 August 2023 by Marie

Don’t miss your chance to submit an entry for the Black Country Business Awards – celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

The annual Black Country Chamber Business Awards will this year announce winners in thirteen different categories. The awards are free to enter and the deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 11 September. For 2023, the theme is celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday 9 November.

Dudley-based MET Recruitment won last year’s Excellence in Professional Services Award. The company’s commercial director Nella Share said: “Our experience has been so valuable. It has opened doors to new relationships and allowed us to demonstrate the high standards we offer on a regional stage.”

Lisa Cowley, CEO of the Beacon Centre (the 2021 winner of Large Business of the Year) echoed Nella’s words. Lisa said: “Both the event and the award have led to opening doors to new local connections and supporters, as well as providing a fantastic news story for us to share across all of our channels and giving a boost to employee morale. If you are considering entering your organisation, I would really recommend doing so.”

Celebrating social value at the Black Country Chamber Business Awards

James Cash is managing director of Superfast IT, which won Outstanding Support to the Armed Forces in 2022. He said: “I strongly encourage other companies to explore these opportunities and enter the awards. Winning isn’t just an honour, it reflects alignment with values that strengthen our community and drive progress across the region.”

Halesowen BID won the Business Commitment to the Community Award in 2022. BID manager Vicky Rogers said: “As an organisation dedicated to developing and providing local services and support, awards like this strengthen our commitment and motivate us to continue our work.”

This year, Sandwell Council is sponsoring the Business Commitment to the Community award. We believe that giving back and doing good are important cornerstones of any successful business. You can read how this plays a key role in our tendering and contracting process on our brand new CSR and social value page.

Will it be a starry night for our Sandwell business community?

At the 2022 Black Country Chamber Business Awards, at least one Sandwell organisation was represented as a finalist in each of the fourteen award categories. Five Sandwell businesses were overall winners, while four took ‘highly commended’ awards. We’d love to see you shine again this year!

For more information, and to enter the awards, vis it the Black Country Chamber Business Awards website.

Go green, save money: new UK Business Climate Hub

Posted on 22 August 20235 September 2023 by Marie

The government’s new UK Business Climate Hub gives you practical advice for reducing your business carbon footprint and saving on energy bills.

Through the hub, you can get advice on everything from paying less for electric vehicles and sourcing products from green suppliers, to installing solar panels and making money by selling green energy back to the grid.

The website includes a free carbon calculator and other tools to help your business measure, track and report on emissions.

Research shows that 90 per cent of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but don’t know how or where to start. Also, 85 per cent of customers are more likely to buy from businesses with a reputation for sustainability. So going greener makes good commercial sense.

Graham Stuart is Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. He said: “More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so. The hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy.”

‘A valuable tool for business leaders’

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group chief executive and co-chair of the Net Zero Council, said: “None of us will get to net zero without all of us getting to net zero, so ensuring that every business and every sector has a clear plan for delivering this non-negotiable target is key. I hope the UK Business Climate Hub will be a valuable tool for business leaders looking for guidance and support in this vital endeavour.”

The Broadway Initiative is managing the UK Business Climate Hub. The collaboration developed it in partnership with associations such as the Federation of Small Business and the Institute of Directors. They had support from the British Business Bank, HSBC, NatWest, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid and National Grid. The hub is the UK partner of the international SME Climate Hub.

Find out more at the UK Business Climate Hub website.

Be the solution: join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Posted on 15 August 202322 August 2023 by Marie

Aston University and partners have pioneered an innovative technology that can convert organic materials into commercially valuable bioproducts. Will your Sandwell business join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator and benefit from helping them take it to market?

The breakthrough from Aston University and local industrial leaders uses an innovative pyrolysis technology. (Pyrolysis is the breaking down of organic materials by subjecting them to very high temperatures and without oxygen. It yields energy-rich liquids and gases, and a solid substance known as biochar.)

Their new process can convert organic materials such as sawdust, fallen trees, agricultural straw, and dried chicken litter into these commercially valuable bioproducts, including biochar, gases and liquids.

Low-carbon solutions offer growth opportunities

Now, the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute and the Centre for the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability at Aston University are looking for partners to commercialise biochar and related bioproducts. They’re inviting West Midlands companies to join a new business accelerator programme designed to develop new low-carbon products such as:

Low-carbon fuel for boilers and engines
Soil conditioners and products for improved plant, tree and animal health
Biochar for carbon capture and credits
Biochar for water treatment and odour control
Biochar for building and composite material
Bioliquids for low carbon weedkiller, fungicide and plant growth enhancer.

Join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Led by Aston University, the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator is a business growth programme offering you a pathway to:

Technological advancements that set your business apart
Skill and knowledge enrichment to navigate the evolving landscape
Strategic networking and supply chain collaborations
Access to diverse funding sources for growth
Expanding into new market opportunities.

To find out more about this opportunity, visit Aston University’s Biochar CleanTech Accelerator page.

See also the Clean Futures Accelerator Programme. This and the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator are part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator – a £100m growth-focused partnership between our region and central government.

Green Advantage: join the skills bootcamp in business sustainability

Posted on 2 August 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

Green Advantage is a five-session course for managers who want to explore environmental challenges on their business.

Give yourself an informed approach to environmental issues and start your journey to sustainability. Through Green Advantage, you can have five interactive workshops, peer networking and one-to-one business coaching over twelve weeks. The course is designed to fit around full-time work.

The Department for Education via the West Midlands Combined Authority has funded Green Advantage, as part of the government’s Skills Bootcamps. Aston University is delivering it. The next cohort will start their sessions in September 2023.

Develop a road map to sustainability for your business

During the course, you will develop a bespoke sustainability roadmap for your enterprise. Maybe you will take practical actions to lower emissions and save energy. Or perhaps you will decide to overhaul your business model and values completely.

The cost of the Green Advantage course varies, according to your business size. SMEs must contribute £296.95 per learner, while for large businesses it’s £890 per learner. It is free for self-employed people. The next cohort starts in September 2023.

For more information visit the Aston University Centre for Growth page.

Drive the green transport revolution with Clean Futures Accelerator

Posted on 2 August 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

Sign up for the Clean Futures Accelerator and get up to £50k to help develop green transport ideas.

Clean Futures Accelerator is a six-month programme which will give twenty selected SMEs up to £50K each to trial their ideas for making transport more sustainable. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 September 2023.

Transport is responsible for 24 per cent of the UK’s emissions, and the sector represents a huge opportunity to decarbonise. As a region with a strong history in vehicle manufacturing, the West Midlands is well-placed to drive the green transport revolution.

The accelerator is part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator. It is based around five challenges in the rail and automotive manufacturing sectors and their related supply chains.

These are:

1. Greener electric vehicle components

2. Circular economy of transport

3. Road freight alternatives

4. Greener transport infrastructure

5. Future fuels.

Successful Clean Futures applicants will receive bespoke technical and commercial support, alongside networking and showcasing events. The programme offers access to a range of facilities and support, from the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, and the Centre for Advanced Low Carbon Propulsion Systems at Coventry University.

Eligibility for Clean Futures Accelerator

The Clean Futures Accelerator is open to SMEs in existing supply chains, as well as those looking to move into new sectors. It also welcomes bids from consortiums of partners with one lead applicant. Ideally, applicants would have a base in the West Midlands. You must be willing to match fund your grant with in-kind support, such as labour or materials.

For more information, and to apply, visit the Clean Futures website.

Join the launch of Business Growth West Midlands

Posted on 2 August 202329 August 2023 by Administrator

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena.

BGWM will provide comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

At the event, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address, showing his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).

You can gain valuable insights on navigating business growth, AI-driven digital transformation, financial management, funding options and building a skilled workforce.

The launch event will also offer networking opportunities to connect with business support providers, stakeholders, and fellow attendees, encouraging active engagement with BGWM’s support services.

Why attend the launch?

Attendees at the event will be among the first to hear about the £100m of new support programmes and grants launching for West Midlands businesses.
You can find out how the new fully funded service can help businesses navigate the wide range of support available across the region.
There will be opportunities to network with business support professionals and fellow business leaders,
You can access free business support opportunities in the exhibition area.
There is a free lunch for all attendees.

Other inspirational and expert speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. You can follow @BizGrowthWM on Twitter or LinkedIn for speaker and programme updates.

When? Where? How do I register?

When? Tuesday 12 September, 9.30am – 4.30pm (come along for all or part of the day)
Where? Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Longford, Coventry CV6 6AQ
Register: Sign up here to attend.

Email businessgrowthevents@wmca.org.uk if you have questions. Or you can use the following links for more information about BGWM and the official launch event:

Learn more about Business Growth West Midlands.