Driving Investment Returns from Clean Technologies

Media Release 16 August 2012

KPMG and City of Melbourne Key Partners of Melbourne CleanTech Network Launch
The launch of the Melbourne CleanTech Network today demonstrates the ongoing growth of the Australian cleantech sector. As evidenced by the supporting partners of the Network, which include KPMG and the City of Melbourne, cleantech is turning into a mainstream sector with advisory services coming from some of Australias leading companies. The launch of the Melbourne CleanTech Network will be hosted this evening by KPMG at its offices on Collins Street from 5:30pm -7:30pm. Commenting on the launch, John OBrien, Managing Director of Australian CleanTech said that cleantech encompasses companies that have both environmental and economic benefits. By providing a forum for discussion, education and collaboration, the Melbourne CleanTech Network will help drive the growth of the sector in Victoria. Cleantech is a term that is used to describe products and services that improve operational performance, productivity or efficiency while reducing costs, inputs, energy consumption, waste or pollution. Through using these products, industry can become more competitive, resilient, sustainable and profitable. The drivers behind cleantech are much more than just climate change. Increasing wealth, increasing populations and decreasing natural resources require the world to adapt to cleaner technologies, explained Mr OBrien. The Melbourne CleanTech Network aims to engage with cleantech companies, investors in the sector, government service providers and academia. Mr OBrien believes that a combination of these four groups will foster the greatest leaps forward. The Melbourne CleanTech Network is the initiative of Australian CleanTech which provides research services and investment analysis of the cleantech sector. The Melbourne group joins similar initiatives in Sydney and Adelaide as part of a country wide collaborative venture. The cleantech industry in Australia is estimated to have annual revenues of $26 billion and to employ 45,000 people. This is the same workforce as the automotive manufacturing industry and the revenue makes it equal in value to a quarter of the entire Australian Manufacturing sector. Furthermore, employees in cleantech create on average about five times the revenue per employee in comparison to both automotive and general manufacturing. The Network events will provide an opportunity for emerging cleantech companies to pitch for investment and partners. This will not only improve the chances of commercialisation but also help to educate investors on the opportunities that exist. The five companies selected to pitch at the launch are detailed in the table below.
1
Australian CleanTech ABN: 66 124 840 491 www.auscleantech.com.au

Driving Investment Returns from Clean Technologies

Company Rotary Heat Exchangers VR TEK Global Microbiogen

Cleantech Subsector Energy Efficiency Recycling BIofuels

Overview Rotary heat exchanger for use to provide high efficiency air conditioning in humid climates. www.ecopower.com.au High-tech process to turn end of life tyre waste into a high value very fine devulcanised and activated rubber powders. www.vrtekglobal.com Revolutionary Biofuels technology that enables fuel and food to be produced profitably and sustainably from inedible plant materials. www.microbiogen.com The Great Land biofertiliser combines plant growth promoting bacteria and trace elements to significantly boost plant and crop growth. www.greatland.net.au CarbonSpace is a world-first search engine / directory containing dedicated Low Carbon, Low Emission & Clean Technology information.

IMP Aust CarbonSpace

Agriculture Information

The supporting partners for the Melbourne Cleantech Network are: KPMG accounting, grants and tax services Griffith Hack Patent Attorneys SIM Venture Securities Exchange - Australia's dedicated cleantech stockmarket Greenard Willing - cleantech broking services City of Melbourne - the world's most liveable city

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Rod North, Managing Director Bourse Communications Pty Ltd T: (03) 9510 8309, M: 0408 670 706 E: rod@boursecommunications.com.au The Melbourne CleanTech Network holds events that provide opportunities for making new connections and starting new discussions. For more information on the network see www.auscleantech.com.au What is Cleantech? Sub-sectors of cleantech include renewable energy technologies (wind, solar thermal and photovoltaics, wave, tidal, hydro, geothermal, biomass and biogas), water technologies that increase efficiency, energy efficiency, green buildings, biomaterials, waste management and recycling, energy storage, fuel cell technologies, low emission vehicle technologies, environmental services, biofuels and carbon trading.

2
Australian CleanTech ABN: 66 124 840 491 www.auscleantech.com.au