From September 19th-22nd Washington, D.C. was host to RETECH 2011, the 3rd Annual Renewable Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition, which has become a meeting point for organizations concerned with alternative energy production from across the globe. In addition to the schedule of speakers and information sessions, over 60 organizations sponsored exhibitions at this year’s event. They were a diverse bunch, encompassing a variety of government delegations, public-private partnerships, and private clean technology firms.
Among these groups was the Swedish-owned firm Bruks Rockwood, a prime example of an alternative energy success story. Rockwood began as an American company and was acquired four years ago by Bruks, which is part of the JCE investment group headquartered in Gothenburg. The vice-president of sales and marketing for Bruks Rockwood, Ken Upchurch, was upbeat about the results of the Swedish acquisition and the company’s future prospects. He noted that becoming a part of the Bruks group had enabled them to unite Swedish and American technologies for the renewable energy sector, furthering their ability to produce superior quality products that have been commercially successful. Among other things, Bruks manufacture equipment that can reclaim the by-products of the lumber industry and convert them into useful fuel. These materials that would otherwise go to waste are made part of the broad portfolio of alternative energy sources that can lessen global dependence on fossil fuels.
When asked about advice for companies looking to succeed in the American market, Upchurch noted the critical importance of having a consistent, reliable business force within the country. Only by maintaining offices and personnel within theUnited Statescan a foreign country provide the service and support that customers depend on. Having such a presence has been quite profitable for Bruks Rockwood. Business in the U.S. has been robust and growing, and sales are up 40% over last year. These impressive results from their North American operations have helped to bolster the company at a time when division in other regions have been struggling, further highlighting the advantages available for European corporations who access broader markets by doing business in the United States.
RETECH 2011 was a successful demonstration of the vitality and promise of the renewable energy industry. Another conference visitor, realizing the immediate need to invest in alternative energy, is BP Alternative Energy, investing yearly $1,5-2 billion globally into ventures exploring alternative energy production and decreasing emissions. All in all, exposition such as this help to raise the profile of environmentally friendly projects and provide opportunities for collaboration between businesses and investors interested in sustainability. Furthermore, organizations like Bruks Rockwood show the success that can be achieved by companies in this sector who are willing to invest in renewable energy projects around the world. For these reasons, events like RETECH play an important role in the growth and health of alternative energy technology worldwide.
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