Celtic Renewables
Celtic Renewables Ltd. is the first company to produce biofuel from the by-products of the scotch whisky industry.[1][2]
| Industry | Biofuels |
|---|---|
| Founder | Martin Tangney |
| Headquarters | , Scotland, United kingdom |
Key people | Mark Simmers (CEO) Jim Purves (COO) |
| Products | Biobutanol High grade animal feed |
| Website | www |
It has been estimated that annually the whisky industry produces 1600 million litres of pot ale and 500,000 tonnes of draff which has historically been used for animal feed.[3] Celtic Renewables has utilised these resources and adapted the traditional Weizmann Fermentation process (also known as ABE fermentation) to produce Biobutanol.
A partnership with Tullibardine distillery has been established along with a relationship with Europe’s biotech flagship Bio Base Europe where it has piloted its biofuel production process with a £1 million grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).The company also carries the support of the Scottish Whisky Association and the Government, where this process is well aligned to both national biofuel and carbon reduction targets.[4]
Inception
Celtic Renewables was created by Professor Martin Tangney, who is also the Director of the Biofuel Research Centre. It was launched on 25 January 2012, at the University’s Sighthill Campus by Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism[2] and Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise. Dr. Doug Ward, founder of Argent Energy, has been appointed as its chairman. Mark Simmers, fellow from The Saltire Foundation, has been appointed as its CEO.[5]
Awards
Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award
Celtic Renewables (CRL) has been named Europe’s most innovative biotech SME after producing the world’s first advanced biofuel, capable of powering vehicles, from the residues of whisky production. [6]
Institute of Chemical Engineers Award
In 2012 Scientist Professor Martin Tangney was named Innovator of the Year by the Institute of Chemical Engineering in recognition of his work in converting whisky waste into biofuel. He was recognised for his groundbreaking work in developing the technology to produce biobutanol from the by-products of whisky production.[7]
Shell Springboard Award
In 2012 Celtic Renewables received a £40,000 Shell Springboard award for its process which generates next generation biofuels from by-products from the Scottish malt whisky industry resulting in reduced oil consumption and CO2 emissions. Shell Springboard is a Shell-funded UK Social Investment programme, which provides a financial boost to small and medium enterprises with innovative, low-carbon business ideas. This builds on Shell’s overall commitment to help the UK meet its future energy needs responsibly.[8]
Rushlight Clean Energy Award
Celtic Renewables received two Rushlight Awards (Bioenergy and Clean Energy) in 2014/15.[9]
Low CVP Low Carbon Champions Award
Celtic Renewables has been recognised by the motor industry, winning a top honor at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP)’s annual Low Carbon Champions awards. The award is the first from the motor industry to recognise Celtic Renewables contribution to the effort to lower carbon emissions in the global motor industry. It is one of only 14 awards accredited by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), which qualifies Celtic Renewables for the prestigious EU bi-annual European Business Awards for the Environment.[10]
Chemical Industry Award
Celtic Renewables Ltd has won the prestigious GSK Innovation Award at Chemical Industry Awards. The Chemical Industry Awards are the premier accolades for the UK chemical industry. They are designed to offer a unique opportunity to highlight and promote excellent performance at the company, site or individual level. This Award is for the company which can provide the most successful examples of innovation – turning ideas into money – in an area of its business that helps solve today’s societal challenges[11]
EIE Award
Celtic Renewables was one of 16 companies selected from over 100 applicants to pitch their business proposition to a panel of investors. Mark Simmers was awarded the Winners Award for his successful pitch.
Scottish Green Energy Award
Celtic Renewables was named as the winner of the Best Innovation Award in 2012. [12]
References
- BBC News Edinburgh start-up to make whisky biofuel
- Scots whisky biofuel team launch start-up - PRESS RELEASE – Wednesday 25 January 2012 Archived 30 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Whisky%20guidance%20FINAL%20010512%20AG.pdf
- mtc. "Company | Celtic Renewables". www.celtic-renewables.com. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- Saltire Fellow Named CEO of Celtic Renewables
- "Carlos Moedas Awards the 2015 Most Innovative EU Biotech SMEs | Europabio". www.europabio.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- "Company profile: Celtic Renewables". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- "Shell Springboard | Celtic Renewables". www.shellspringboard.org. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- http://www.edinburghsciencetriangle.com/news-events/est-news/celtic-renewables-cleans-up-at-rushlight-awards/
- "Celtic Renewables wins motor industry award for low-carbon bio-fuel | Scottish Energy News". www.scottishenergynews.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- Multimedia, Kris Kelly, Heehaw. "Celtic Renewables' success at Chemical Industry Association Awards". edinburghcentre.org. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- "News | Scottish Green Energy Award... - Scottish Renewables". Scottish Renewables. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.