Environmental is operating in a challenging market and relies on innovation to enable the business to deliver a sustainable operating model.

 

The Environmental business provides differentiated biotechnology solutions to residential, commercial, municipal and industrial clients in the Irish, UK and continental European and North American markets.

 

The key focus of the business is in the area of residential and commercial packaged wastewater treatment plants, rainwater capture, water re-use and treatment of air pollutants such as odour and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the municipal and industrial sectors.

 

The business is pursuing opportunities to provide service and maintenance, including media replacement, integrated manufacturing and operational activities where competitive advantages can be realised.

Environmental Western Europe
Results
Turnover in 2009/2010 was down 23% on the previous year reflecting a significant decline in construction sector activity.

 

Growth in the Irish and UK markets in particular will be driven by recovery in the housing market from record lows, a “green build” trend, recognition by the end-user of the importance of full-life costs in odour control projects, and enforcement of regulatory requirements.

 

Competition
In response to increased market competition, and as part of the business’s long-term strategy, a process of UK business consolidation has taken place which coincides with the establishment of a single UK Environmental business facility, a 53,000 sq.ft. facility in Bridgewater, Somerset.

 

Environmental North America
Results
The US business performed well under difficult market conditions in the residential wastewater treatment sector and successfully entered the municipal market having secured Mónashell odour treatment and PuraMax wastewater projects, and a second PuraM membrane project.

 

The business continues to invest in future growth and completed significant business development activities including the establishment of sales channel representation in the municipal markets through a network of manufacturers’ representatives (12 representative firms appointed). The business increased its residential distributor network to 35 partners, secured Puraflo regulatory approvals in west coast states and completed a Mónashell pilot trial on a pump station in Florida.

 

Competition
Due to current economic conditions customers in North America are looking for cheaper solutions usually at the expense of genuine environmentally sustainable products and technologies. As the US economy continues to gain strength throughout 2010 there is confidence that customers will seek out more sustainable solutions such as Puraflo which provide high levels of environmental protection while saving energy, compared to the low cost, high energy aerobic treatment units widely available on the market. Mónashell, our patented odour technology provides whole life cost competitive advantages while offering the most environmentally sustainable solution.

 

Sustainability
The sustainability of the business is linked to critical success factors including regulatory competency, brand building, and relationship selling. The strategy is one of market leadership through superior quality innovation and business development, providing customers with the best life-cycle costs and most environmentally sustainable solutions.

 

In line with ‘A New Contract With Nature’, the business continues product development of technologies that seek to conserve water, save energy, reduce chemicals and recycle waste. The business successfully introduced the Mónashell and PuraM technologies to the US market in 2009 which deliver on its clean air and clean water sustainability agenda.

 

Innovation
The increasing requirement for green, sustainable technologies for the treatment of wastewater and air has driven the innovation agenda in the Environmental business units.

 

Projects in planning and implementation stages include the development of a ‘next generation’ small-scale wastewater treatment unit, low carbon footprint and novel wastewater treatment systems for small and medium size communities. These were launched into the US market during 2009/2010 and European markets will be further developed over the next year.

 

Other development initiatives include potential technology partnerships with patent holders to develop and commercialise tertiary water treatment technologies which may be launched into all Bord na Móna markets.