We’ve been appointed by British cleantech pioneer Econic to deliver business development programmes in China and Japan.
Econic has developed revolutionary chemical technologies (illustrated below) to convert waste CO2 into polyols – a basic ingredient of everyday plastics. These technologies have huge environmental benefits, turning CO2 into useful products instead of harmful emissions and giving manufacturers the potential significantly to reduce their consumption of petrochemical raw materials.
Econic was founded in 2011 based on the vision of Charlotte Williams, now Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Oxford University, for harnessing waste CO2 for economic value instead of environmental damage.
Based on the Alderley Park science hub near Manchester, Econic has patented its technologies and secured investment from IP Group, Norner Verdandi, Woodford Investment Management, Jetstream Capital and OGCI Climate Investments. And it’s set its sights on Asia as a priority for its international growth.
In China, the firm recently struck a landmark deal with Changhua Chemical Technology Company, a major Chinese polyurethane maker, to build a plant which will use its technologies to turn its considerable output of waste CO2 into useful products.
Econic has appointed us to help manage its relationship with Changhua and drive forward this ground-breaking project – which has the potential to be the first of many in China.
Members of our Shanghai team are acting as Econic’s representatives on the ground, liaising with Changhua’s team as well as the company’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project. They’re monitoring the project’s progress, managing its risks, troubleshooting any problems that arise, building good will between the partners and advising Econic on further opportunities.
Econic has also asked us to analyse the opportunities for its technologies in Japan and recommend the most effective Japanese market entry approach.
And, while Econic has initiated preliminary conversations with several major Japanese polyurethane manufacturers, it has now asked our Tokyo team to drive these forward on its behalf.
Keith Wiggins, CEO at Econic, said: “There’s huge scope for our clean-tech technologies internationally, with China and Japan standing out as vital markets. Both countries are forward thinking and open to embracing new, sustainable technology that moves us away from reliance on the heavy petrochemical industry.
“We’ve appointed Intralink because, with such an important project under way in China, it’s imperative for us to have the right people on the ground to ensure it stays on track. And in Japan, we need the depth of Intralink’s expertise to identify the right market entry strategy and progress discussions with Japanese corporations.”
We’re greatly looking forward to seeing Econic’s pioneering technologies take off in China and Japan to help companies in these countries reach their stringent environmental targets.
To discuss the opportunities for your greentech business in Asia, contact Paul Dupont at paul.dupont@intralinkgroup.com
[Pictured below - Econic's catalytic process]
