The French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in London will present 18 companies on the French Pavilion at Ecobuild — the world’s leading event for construction, sustainable design and the built-environment sector. The trade show takes place at ExCeL, in London, from 20 to 22 March 2012. The Pavilion will showcase innovative companies in the field of environmentally friendly construction.   France’s government has set similar low-carbon objectives to the UK’s, but with the added challenge of meeting the requirements of the country’s eight different temperature zones. The size and climatic diversity of France have ensured that French-based companies offer a range of flexible products and services with a global reputation for quality and adaptability in the field of eco-construction.   The French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in the UK is organising the French pavilion at Ecobuild, in London, from 20 to 22 March of this year; the pavilion will occupy stands N1220, N1230 and N1320.   The companies on the French Pavilion at Ecobuild are listed below. Further information on each of the exhibitors is available upon request.   Airwell   Airwell designs and produces every type of air-conditioning equipment in Europe. It covers the residential, commercial and industrial markets.   www.airwell.com     Amytis   Amytis specialises in sustainable living walls, which are covered in plants — a concept applicable to both interior and exterior walls.   http://amytis2.fr      Atacama   Atacama engineers and distributes products dedicated to generating photovoltaic energy.   www.atacama-solar.com     AXUN   AXUN is a manufacturer of solar-electric materials, and distributes both photovoltaic inverters and kits.   www.axun-solar.com     BALSAN   A producer of textile broadloom carpets and carpet tiles, BALSAN provides personalised, aesthetic and functional answers to all carpet requirements.   www.balsan.com     Dimos Dimos specialises in roofing equipment and accessories. www.dimos.fr   Développement Chanvre   Développement Chanvre is a manufacturer of hemp blocks that are used for home insulation, hemp being a natural product that is ideally suited to this purpose.   www.developpement-chanvre-gunit-g.com     Faseo   Faseo designs offices for construction sites, providing support from the analysis of project feasibility through to the design-and-specification stage.   www.faseo.fr     KdB Isolation   KdB Isolation produces ultra-thin reflective, yet sustainable, insulation products. The specialist company has created a new way of looking at home insulation.   www.kdb-isolation.com     Mathis   Mathis is a European leader in wood construction and glued laminated timber. It manufactures innovative, yet economical, wood-based systems for the construction industry, which are of a high environmental quality.   www.mathis.eu     Putzmeister   Putzmeister develops, produces and distributes technically advanced, high-quality service-orientated machines, including truck-mounted and stationary concrete pumps, stationary placing booms, and related accessories.   www.putzmeister.fr     RayCREATIS   RayCREATIS has developed ArchiWIZARD, a software solution for energy-efficiency simulation.   www.raycreatis.com     Rtone®   A specialist in energy monitoring, Rtone® develops software solutions to remotely monitor energy consumption and to detect anomalies. Applications exist for individual, group-housing, and industrial-level projects.   http://rtone.fr/french/index.php   Seguin   Seguin manufactures stone fireplaces, cast-iron inserted fireplaces, and wood stoves.   www.cheminees-seguin.com     Strawtech SAS   Strawtech SAS produces compressed straw panels that are used for the construction of walls, floors and ceilings in housing.   http://www.panneaudepaille.com     TBPL   TBPL manufactures woodturning products for the home, including for the stairs, furniture, and kitchen accessories.   www.tbpl.fr     Tramico   With eight manufacturing sites in France, Tramico has been a major supplier of polyurethane foam for almost 50 years. The company manufactures and converts cellular materials for various industries, including the construction sector.   www.tramico.fr     Vesta-System   Vesta-System develops energy-efficiency software solutions to ensure users have an optimal comfort-to-cost ratio.   www.vesta-system.com     Vivréco   Vivréco designs, manufactures and installs renewable-energy heating systems, including geothermal, solar and wood-based solutions.   http://vivreco.fr/       For further information about Ecobuild, please go to: http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/  

Gasification Asia Pacific (GAP) 2011, the international conference on gasification, will take place in Beijing (China) from 8 to 10 June 2011. GAP 2011 will play host to technology workshops and plenary sessions, where heads of companies and institutions will present the performance – in economic, technical and environmental terms – of existing and planned gasification units. GAP 2011, due to take place in Beijing (China) in early June of this year, will focus on gasification – a process that converts biomass, organic waste, coal or any carbonaceous material into synthetic gas (otherwise known as ‘syngas’). This gas mixture can then be efficiently converted into electricity and petroleum products.   Serge Périneau, President of Gasification Asia Pacific, says: "We are very pleased with how GAP 2011 has been received. The increasingly effective and clean process of gasification will provide solutions to the formidable challenges currently facing the energy sector." The Asia-Pacific region is currently the most active in terms of gasification, with 140 units in operation, with another 10 units under construction, and with several research units close to industrial capacity. Given the current geopolitical climate in the Middle East and the environmental situation in Japan, gasification is becoming increasingly popular in the energy sector.   More than 250 gasification units are in operation across the world: they are mainly used to produce electricity. These units offer yields that are substantially higher than that attained by conventional power plants. In terms of environmental impact, the CO2 emitted in the course of the process is separated from other gaseous effluents, which allows it to be processed at a minimal cost.   Gasification offers many advantages, such as the ability to use a diverse array of raw materials as inputs; a flexible choice in the type of energy produced (electricity, fuels and other hydrocarbons); a high-yield electricity production; and, finally, the by-production of CO2, which is separated from the other effluents in clean and cost-effective manner.   Gasification is used in a number of industrial applications. Firstly, it is used to generate electricity via the Integrated Gasification Cycle (IGCC), with a similar capacity to nuclear units. IGCC units are in operation across Asia (in China, Japan and Singapore), in the USA, and in Europe (in the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain).   Secondly, gasification is used in the gas-to-liquids (GTL) refinery process, which converts natural gas into liquid fuel. This process is already in use in South Africa and in Qatar (in the Persian Gulf).   Gasification is also used to turn biomass and organic waste into second-generation fuel or electricity.   Lastly, gasification is used to produce liquid fuels (coal to liquids), natural gas (substitute natural gas), as well as chemical products that are generated from coal (or from a combination of coal and biomass). Thi s process is mainly relied upon in China, South Africa and the USA.   In addition to surface gasification plants, scientists have developed the technology known as underground coal gasification (UCG), where oxygen is added to coal underground, in order to produce syngas. The advantage of UCG, which is undertaken in Azerbaijan and Australia, is that it can be performed in mines that are inaccessible to humans with a limited investment.   About GAP 2011 Gasification Asia Pacific (GAP) is an international conference on gasification, covering all its aspects – technical, economic and environmental.    GAP 2011 will take place from 8 to 10 June 2011 at the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing (China). This year’s conference will feature an entire session on underground coal gasification (UCG), as well as a variety of workshops and plenary sessions.   The GAP 2011 conference is sponsored by the World Energy Council, the World Coal Association, World CTL and the Chinese National Centre for International Co-operation in Work Safety (NCICS).   For a detailed programme and other practical information, please go to: www.gap-gasification.com

ATC is a French-based property-development company, which is promoting a new concept in property rentals. ATC provides a wide range of residential rentals, holiday homes and hotels throughout Europe. The company pledges to plant one tree for every booking made, which means that, just by going on holiday, customers are in a position to contribute towards the reforestation of the planet.     ATC, which is supported by several environmental organisations, has now teamed up with two leading travel partners in order to further enhance its offering. Customers can take advantage of this scheme via the ATC website.    ATC believes that every little step we take to preserve the environment is relevant, and that ordinary people can – and want to – make a difference. As a result, ATC has adopted a novel approach whereby the company is actively committed to creating sustainable holiday properties.    ATC offers a wide selection of short-, medium- and long-term rental accommodation; at the same time, ATC demonstrates its commitment to the protection of the environment by planting a tree for every reservation made on one of its properties.    The main objective of this project is to increase awareness of environmental issues among holidaymakers. At the moment, ATC is the only European company to fight global warming in this way.    Through partnership agreements with environmental organisations throughout Europe, ATC donates funds, which are then distributed to international afforestation programmes across the world. By putting this money back into organisations working in developing countries, there is an additional, positive impact on the economic structures of these countries, as local people become involved in the reforestation process.    ATC offers a way for environmentally aware travellers to make a contribution towa rds changing the planet, as well as finding an excellent choice of rental accommodation. Bookings made through ATC do not incur additional charges, and customers can be satisfied that they are playing their part in the global reforestation of the planet.    About ATC  ATC is a French-based company which offers short-, medium- and long-term rental accommodation.    ATC is committed to environmental conservation and pledges to plant a tree for every rental booking that is made through the company. The focus of the reforestation programme is on developing countries.    For further information, please go to: www.atc-c.com

UBIFRANCE, the French export-support agency, will showcase 15 companies on the French Pavilion at Ecobuild, the world’s leading event for the sustainable design, construction and built-environment sector. The trade show will take place in London from 1 to 3 March 2011.   The French Pavilion (Stand No 1220) will play host to companies that strive to achieve maximum energy savings in buildings. These French companies, which are looking for new business partners, will showcase a range of eco-friendly building solutions.   The French government has set similar low-carbon objectives to those in the UK. On top of this, France faces the added challenge of meeting the requirements of the country’s eight different temperature zones. The size and climatic diversity of France means that French companies are able to offer a range of flexible products and services in eco-construction. This expertise sets French companies apart from their international counterparts and has contributed to their reputation for quality and adaptability.   The French Pavilion will offer a unique environment in which eco-friendly contractors, professional builders, remodellers, architects, landscapers, developers, distributors, supply-chain players, and designers can discover original products and find new business partners.   Companies on the French Pavilion are listed below; a catalogue with further details on each of the exhibitors is available upon request.   ITR ISO 2000   ITR ISO 2000 develops innovative products in the field of thin, reflective multilayer insulation. The company is among the leading European players in this sector, with more than four million square metres of thin insulation produced each year. For further information, please go to: www.itr-iso2000.com   Faseo   Faseo handles the electrical engineering aspects of industrial constructions, public buildings, housing and infrastructures.  For further information, please go to: www.faseo.fr   Easychanvre   Easychanvre has developed a building system that incorporates an innovative skill set and expertise that has been handed down through generations, along with the use of bio-sourced materials.  For further information, please go to: www.easychanvre.fr   Cavac Biomatériaux Cavac manufactures Biofib Duo, an ecological and natural insulation material, which is specifically designed for use in homes. Cavac’s solution offers high levels of sound and thermal proofing, as well as being antiallergenic and easy to install.  For further information, please go to: www.biofit-isolation.com     Enthalpie   Enthalpie develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of heat pumps.                                                For further information, please go to: www.enthalpie.fr   Amzair Amzair specialises in geothermal energy. The company designs and manufactures residential air-source heat pumps. For further information, please go to: www.amzair.eu   KDB Isolation KDB Isolation creates and develops sustainable insulation solutions, which offer a new way of looking at home insulation through the use of a global insulation system. For further information, please go to:  www.kdb-isolation.com   Silvadec Silvadec manufactures and markets the Forexia® wood composite, a compound which is made of wood flour (70%) and polymer (30% HDPE). For further information, please go to:  www.silvadec.com Amytis – Modulo Green Amytis – Modulo Green specialises in sustainable living walls for interiors and exteriors. For further information, please go to: http://amytis2.fr Airwell The Airwell group designs and produces all types of air-conditioning equipment in Europe. This covers residential, commercial and industrial applications. For further information, please go to:  www.airwell.com   Soleol Soleol specialises in eco-construction, eco-restorations and renewable energy. The company is proud of the quality of its installations and restoration work. For further information, please go to: www.lenergieautrement.com   Esus Housing Esus Housing is a specialist in house building, including heightening work and timber-frame houses. For further information, please go to:  www.lenergieautrement.com   France GBC France GBC helps to raise awareness in the building sector on the environmental quality of buildings in France. France GBC is an association that aims to convey a united French position on environmental quality and standards to the international market. For further information, please go to: www.francegbc.fr Tecosun – SARL Althea Tecosun – SARL Althea specialises in renewable energies, offering turnkey systems for farmers, industrialists, public-sector entities and local authorities. For further information, please go to: www.tecosun.fr   CD2E CD2E is a regional association based in northern France, which is dedicated to supporting and promoting the creation and development of eco-enterprises across all environmental sectors. CD2E also encourages the eco-enterprises it works with to approach export markets, and to become engaged in a range of projects to facilitate commercial relationships and partnerships. For further information, please go to: www.cd2e.com     About the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE The Trade Commission of the French Embassy in London assists trade development between France and the UK by offering a range of commercial and corporate services to French companies. The Industrial Goods Department organises B2B events in the form of conferences and networking opportunities, mainly in London.  The French Pavilion, with the support of the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE, will be part of Ecobuild in London (UK). Ecobuild will be held from 1 to 3 March 2011 at the ExCel exhibition centre (Stand No N1220) from 10am to 5pm on 1 March, 10am to 6pm on 2 March, and 10am to 4pm on 3 March.  For further information, please contact Ms Anne Dessemond, Trade Development Adviser, or Ms Mary-Ann Williams, Press Officer of the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE.  Ms Anne Dessemond Trade Development Adviser The French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in London Industrial Goods Department Tel. (direct line): 0207-024-3621 Email: anne.dessemond@ubifrance.fr

The international Greencity business convention, held in Paris (France) from 20 to 21 January 2011, will welcome companies from across Europe, including the Mediterranean basin, to the site of the forthcoming Descartes high-tech cluster, for a series of B-to-B meetings around the theme of Designing and Building the Green City. The event is organised by Seine-et-Marne Développement, the economic development agency of the Seine-et-Marne département of France.  The event will take place alongside the international scientific seminar, Making the Sustainable City, and Inventing a New Form of Urban Living. This seminar has been organised by France’s Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. The Greencity business convention reflects the fact that the sustainable city is at the heart of Seine-et-Marne Développement’s concerns and plans for the future. Companies that are actively committed to sustainable architecture, digital technologies, and energy efficiency, as well as players involved in construction, urban management, mobility and renewable energies, will all have the opportunity to approach potential partners during pre-arranged meetings. Seine-et-Marne Développement, which promotes the Seine-et-Marne département, situated east of the French capital, plays an active role as host and co-ordinator of the event. Its aim is to support small and medium-sized businesses in their development on international markets, to ensure that their projects will be followed up, and to promote innovation in all its forms. The Greencity business convention fosters technology transfers as well as commercial and industrial partnerships, and will help to enhance expertise between participants from Ile-de-France (i.e. Paris and its region) and their European counterparts. This event is taking place alongside the international scientific seminar, Making the Sustainable City, and Inventing a New Form of Urban Living, which has also been organised by the Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, and will bring to a close the second year of the Grenelle de l’environnement, i.e. the environmental forum set up in order to define key points of government policy on ecological and sustainable-development issues. During the Carrefour de la Recherche (Research Forum), participants will be able to learn about Greencity projects that have already been completed, and will have the opportunity to attend workshops organised within the framework of the international scientific symposium. The Greencity business convention, which will take place at ESIEE Paris, the school of management and engineerin

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais Chamber of Commerce will showcase eight companies from across the environment sector on the Northern France, The Environment is our business stand, which will be part of the French pavilion at the IFAT trade show, to be held in Munich from 13 to 17 September 2010. The Northern France stand will be located in Hall C3 (Stand 213/314), as well as in the open-air exhibition ground (Stand 501/9). It will showcase eight companies from the region, including the CD2E regional environmental cluster, which will be presenting the expertise of Nord-Pas-de-Calais companies operating in the environmental field. IFAT is the leading international event for water, sewage, waste, and raw-materials management and will take place in Munich (Germany) from 13 to 17 September 2010. The Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, which has a long manufacturing and mining tradition, faces numerous ecological challenges. Currently, almost 600 businesses in the environmental sector are based in the region, offering products and services in areas including the treatment of waste and water, air quality, green construction, and renewable energy. Over 150 ecological projects, which are funded by various regional bodies, have been launched in Nord-Pas-de-Calais over the past decade, including both new projects and the restoration of existing facilities such as schools, social housing and municipal buildings. A database of environmentally friendly materials for use in the construction sector has also been created, which indicates the impact of these materials upon the environment or public health. Nord-Pas-de-Calais has more than 60 research centres, employing a total of 400 researchers. The region is also the home of the Centre National de Recherche sur les Sites et Sols Pollués (National Research Centre for Polluted Soils and Sites), which specialises in the investigation and classification of polluted sites, as well as the treatment of ground and water pollution.  The CD2E cluster (where ‘CD2E’ stands for Creation et Développement des Eco-Entreprises, i.e. the Creation and Development of Environmental Businesses), which brings together experts and professionals from across the environment sector, has played an active role in boosting the competitiveness and overall development of the region’s key players in the environmental field. Tags: environment