Thaindian News

Bangalore, Nov 15 (IANS) With India’s environment technology market estimated at eight billion euros (approx $10 bn) and growing rapidly, European firms with expertise in energy efficiency, solid waste management, and water and waste water treatment are making a beeline to the country.

Representatives of European firms with know-how and experience in water and waste water treatment, biomass refining, setting up floating photovoltaic systems on water bodies, automated waste collection and restoring lakes and rivers are in Bangalore to market their expertise.

The five-day visit of the 19 representatives to Bangalore to interact with industry, trade and government has been facilitated by the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC). The visit began Monday.

The EBTC estimates that “despite ongoing global socio-economic turbulence across industries, India’s vast environmental technology market is estimated to be valued at around € (euros) 8 billion”.

It believes that this market is witnessing “overall growth exceeding 15 percent in sync with India’s robust economic growth as well as increasing recognition of environmental challenges”.

The Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is coordinating the visit of the EBTC Environment Business and Research Delegation bringing together representatives from France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

On the first day of the visit, Bangalore-based energy and environment consultancy firm Enzen Global Solutions signed a memorandum of understanding with the French firm, Ciel et Terre, to set up floating photovoltaic power generation projects in several places in India. These projects on water bodies will be capable of generating up to 50MW of power.

Apart from discussing project opportunities in the public and private sector in India for European clean technologies in the field of clean air; water and waste water, bio-fuels, solar and energy efficiency, the delegates will also focus on joint research opportunities, an EBTC spokesperson told IANS.

The EBTC has identified waste water management, clean development mechanism, clean air technology, waster management and chemical management as areas that require priority attention in India.

On waste water management, it notes that around 90 percent of the 300,000 small and medium enterprises in India do not have such facility, thus offering vast scope for technology transfer.