• About us
• What we do
• Management team
• SEPA Board
• Stakeholders
• SEPA Performs
• News
• Weekly update
• Publications
• Service Charter
• Policies
• Consultations
• Charging schemes
• Greening SEPA
• Procurement
• External links
• Dealing with us
• Contacting SEPA
• Access to Information
• Vacancies
• Official Statistics
• Air
• Climate change
• Flooding
• Land
• Planning
• Radioactive substances
• Waste
• Water
• Science and research
• Customer information...
• SEPA Kids

Two Scottish businesses shortlisted for European Business Awards for the Environment

3 March 2010

Two of Scotland's most environmentally-friendly businesses were last night (2 March 2010) announced as being shortlisted as finalists for the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE).

Nu-phalt Group Ltd based in Rosyth and Total E&P UK Ltd based at St Fergus Terminal in Aberdeenshire, will be two of eleven UK representatives vying for the prestigious awards, which will be announced in June in Brussels. The EBAE is held every two years and recognises and promotes companies that integrate sustainable development into their activities.

Both companies are previous winners of the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards, a scheme which is open to any Scottish based business that has taken steps to improve or reduce their impact on the environment.

VIBES chair Alan Farquhar said:

"The finalists have shown fantastic commitment to reducing their environmental impact and involving staff and the wider community in their initiatives. We hope that the judges will be as impressed by the winners' outstanding achievements – both in terms of their business savings and their environmental improvements as we were."

Nu-Phalt's Managing Director Steve Smith said:

"Nu-Phalt is committed to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the road repair industry through the development and implementation of safe heat technology. We aim to promote awareness of green technologies and methods to local authorities and businesses as a more cost and time-effective alternative to traditional, polluting methods, and are pleased to be operating internationally with projects across Europe and worldwide.

"The EABE entry process was rigorous, and we are delighted to have been shortlisted for our contribution to making roads safer for the public and the environment."

Arthur Crawford, Terminal Manager TOTAL E&P UK Limited, said:

"Winning the 2007 VIBES Award was seen by Total E & P UK Ltd, St Fergus, as recognition of our strong environmental work done to date. The achievement inspired the terminal to continually improve our environmental performance with innovative work practices which, where possible, would benefit the local community, whilst maintaining our already robust environmental culture."

Jenny Wink, Security, PR & Facilities Team Leader for TOTAL E&P UK Limited, added:

"As we had incorporated various environmental innovations and improvements since our VIBES win, we believed that St Fergus could submit a strong application for the European Awards. St Fergus, with the support of our Environmental Department at Head Office, have worked together to put forward a submission to the European awards for, which we have now been recognised for."

Ends

Notes to editors

• The European Business Awards for the Environment are held every two years and have been running since 1987. They attract entries from the cream of Europe's most environmentally positive businesses. VIBES is currently the only award scheme in Scotland that feeds in to these prestigious European awards.

Background information on finalists

Nu-Phalt Group Ltd

• The Nu-Phalt Road Repair System was developed as an alternative to traditional road and pothole repair methods, which are costly, noisy, and create waste and dust. The patented heater produces a heat-sealed, seamless repair to re-establish the original integrity of the road, and only a minimum of new material is needed.

• In order to reduce carbon emissions, minimise disruption to the public and traffic, and facilitate a faster repair, Nu-Phalt created an entire solution in one vehicle. This includes custom-built hot boxes for the new material as well the infrared burner, binders, roller, and everything needed for road and pothole repair.

TOTAL E&P UK Ltd

• The company operates the St Fergus gas terminal on the north east coast of Scotland, on behalf of TOTAL and Gassled, the owner of the Norwegian Vesterled gas pipeline, which terminates at St Fergus. The terminal receives and processes an average of 21 % of the UK's natural gas requirements from some 20 fields. TOTAL E&P UK has 100% interest in the UK Frigg pipeline, which also terminates at St Fergus

• TOTAL E&P UK Ltd has showed exceptional company commitment and awareness of environmental issues on a global scale. The company has clearly demonstrated environmental awareness and that good practices shared has business, and economic benefits. Significant economic savings have been made, especially through the re-use of sand and rocks and the bioremediation of sand, therefore avoiding landfill.  The environment is considered in all TOTAL E&P's activities and the company is highly sensitive to its coastal environment and local community.

For further information regarding the finalists or VIBES, please contact Alan Farquhar on 07920 577347 or Fiona Whyte on 07500 835 252.