Blenheim based carbon-refining company CarbonScape™  was named today as a finalist in the international Postcode Lottery Green Challenge.

This prestigious award has been presented to leaders in environmental change and innovation every year since 2007.

The  company headed off competition from 508 other entries from around the world to become one of 6 finalists who will present their business case to an expert jury panel in Amsterdam on September 17.

The jury will then announce the top three finalists to continue on to New York City,where the first, second and third place prizes will be announced on September 23 at a special dinner hosted by the United Postcode Lotteries in conjunction with the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting.  The winning entries aren’t decided by the jury alone, but also by an online public poll. The polling site can be found at:http://www.greenchallenge.info  The eventual winner will receive €500,000 (NZ$783,000) to invest in business development and the runners up, €100,000 each.

CarbonScape™ has developed patented continuous-flow microwave technology in anenergy self sufficient process to convert wood and other waste into high-value Graphite, Activated Carbon (AC), and Metallurgical Coke. All products are made from renewable feed stocks and in the case of both Graphite and Coke replace fossil fuels. AC is a molecular filter used in diverse applications including water treatment and flue gas scrubbing.

The widespread introduction of CarbonScape’s™ renewable “Green Coke” to replace fossil fuels in the steel industry would significantly impact total global Green House Gas emissions.

“We’re very excited that the judges have recognised CarbonScape’s™ great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through cradle-to-cradle resource management” comments CarbonScape™ director Nick Gerritsen. “We need the public to get behind us though to take out the top prize.

“It’s been a busy week for us because we’ve just launched CarbonScape’s™ new Facebook and Twitter campaign to take our message about transforming waste into valuable commodities, lowering carbon emissions and boosting sustainability anywhere in the world.”

 In December 2010, CarbonScape™ became the first in the world to pioneer a new green technology - a one-step process to cheaply produce AC. The company has begun small-scale production at its South Island, New Zealand pilot site. It is attracting international interest in its technology, particularly from the global steel industry.

If you haven't already voted vote here. The New Zealander in here from Blenheim based Carbonscape is Nick Gerritsen.

Note- our conflict- Nick is a director of Celsias as well !!