Hiolles industries : A fast growing player in the french cleantech industry

Since 1976, by developing originally industry services, HIOLLE Industries, which was a little company of 4 persons settled in Valenciennes,  has become a performing and industrial group hiring more than 800 employees.

The group is composed by twenty seven subsidiaries, each one works on a specific sector: hydraulics, industrial electricity, industrial maintenance, automatism, pneumatic power, industrial plumbing, metal construction, metallurgic control and thermal treatment, precision fabrication, logistics, engineering … However they work together and are federated by important projects, what brings a true synergy between methods and services.

Nowadays, HIOLLE Industries is recognized in France and abroad. It acts in sectors such as: metallurgy, plastics industry, railways industry, textil industry, steel industry …

Being multidisciplinary, Hiolle Industries has become a worldwide leader in a specialized sector:  the industrial transfer. Yet, more than 150 partial or complete transfers were achieved in Europe, Asia, India, South America …

For many years, Hiolle Industries has also been present on environmental protection sector. In order to answer to the topical environmental issues, it offers global and sustainable solutions for treatment:

waste : domestic waste, hospital waste, derelict cars… and their recovery water and mud from water treatment plants gas by reducing discharges causing greenhouse effect

As HIOLLE Industries offers a very large range of specialities, has very skilled teams in many sectors and wants to go forward, Hiolle Industries has become a very indispensable partner for any industrial project based on sustainable development.

After an important growth in service industry sector  and in environment activities, Hiolle Industries group has adopted a development strategy towards renewable energies sector, of which the photovoltaic solar electricity.

Source : Hiolles energies 

JET METAL TECHNOLOGIES : Clean coating technology

An innovative metallization process that reduces the need for chemicals and the generation of wastewater.

This french  company offers an innovative, non-polluting technology for metal plating with an aqueous spray system. This totally new, patented technique makes it possible to metallize any surface by simultaneously spraying two aerosols, respectively containing an aqueous solution with metal cation (metallic salt) and an aqueous solution with a reducing agent. The mixture of these two solutions creates an oxidation-reduction reaction on the surface, forming an even, continuous metallic film. Jet Metal is commercializing a faster metallization process developed at the Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes at l'Ecole Centrale Lyon. 

Electroplating and vacuum deposition technologies are the most common metallization technologies today. But the coatings industry is facing stricter environmental controls on chemical waste and energy consumption. Jet Metal says the process meets those needs because it removes the need for highly polluting sulfochromic preparation treatments, reduces the quantities of reagents used, minimizes the generation of wastewater, and uses no VOCs.

The process removes steps, which can save time and money. Additionally, the process occurs at room temperature using basic painting tools.Jet Metal says the technology creates a synergy between the simplicity of painting techniques and the sophistication of metal plating coatings.In its patented metallization process, two aerosols are simultaneously projected onto substrates to react and form a homogeneous and continuous metal film.  The process can be used for a variety of metal coatings—including copper, nickel, cobalt or gold—and on a variety of substrates, such as metals, plastics, glass, ceramics, textiles, and wood. The process has applications in a number of industries, including cosmetics, glass, automotive, aerospace and appliances. 

Jet Metal Technologies raised €2.5 million for its new coating technology that reduces the need for chemicals and the generation of wastewater. The funds came from Viveris, Schneider Electric Ventures, Naxicap Partners and Rhône Alpes Création.

Source : Jet Metal Technologies 

CKFD : An innovative system to recycle cans

CKFD is a french company developing an innovative system to recycle cans named "Ecopacteur". This project is not only ecological and economic lines. The societal dimension is indeed also present, since it creates jobs dedicated to the collection of cans, the maintenance of écopacteurs and display advertisements. 

Today, vending machines for refreshments are everywhere : parking, subway, stations, airports, supermarkets, schools, businesses ... The public places are filled!

However, the biodegradation of an aluminum pop can take over 200 years. That is why it is imperative not to throw his cans anywhere. Cans are 100% recyclable. However they are separated from the rest of the packaging. Especially since the bobbin is a disposable product, mainly consumed outside home. That is why the majority of cans are thrown in combination and are not recycled. 

With the écopacteur,the French company CKFD, is making the difference since this machine allows a cylindrical compaction process manual cans to reduce and recycle waste. 

CKFD is engaged in a logic of sustainable development.  A full écopacteur is compacted 2 000 cans or the equivalent of 3 bikes after recycling! 750 écopacteurs full is 1 500 000 cans of 33 cl compressed which is equivalent to 1 line of tramway 32.5 meters after recycling. 

Today,the écopacteur seduced many communities and businesses, especially at events. The most recent example is the SNCF. 

Source : CKFD 

France Greentech : A showcase for the French environmental offer

"We want to focus on sectors that are and will be the competitiveness of France after the crisis. The eco-industry and eco-services are a part. "Host a meeting with the eco-entrepreneurs yesterday at Bercy, Anne-Marie Idrac took the opportunity to announce a plan of measures for eco-industries in their international strategies. The occasion for the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade to affirm its support for green business "made in France." 

Support is reflected first by the desire to give the sector greater visibility on the world stage. Hence the launch of a communications plan includes a specific logo Federating (France Green Tech) and opening a window presenting the French offer on the environment.

 

But because there is no substitute for concrete, these external signs of greenery also accompanied the establishment of a FASEP Fund (study and support the private sector) which will help finance pilot projects eco-enterprises hexagonal. Demonstrator essential to winning new customers. "The French team I see it as a team of eco-enterprises in eco-enterprises for eco-businesses," says Anne-Marie Idrac the podium before give way to representatives of major groups (Schneider Electric , EDF Energies Nouvelles, Suez Environment) and SMEs (Naskeo Environment SA ...). 

To conquer new horizons, the ministerial meeting was also part of a signed agreement between Ubifrance (the French Agency for international business development) and the International Ademe. A device to provide eco-businesses the opportunity to build on the French presence abroad to help develop and sell outside our borders. What soon put the cap on emerging economies and markets sensitive to green technologies such as the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India or China. But also the United States represented at Bercy Monday by Martin Chavez, Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Source : Cleantech Republic  par Baptiste Roux dit Riche

Domelys recovers heat on wastewater

Created by Yann Menez and Frédéric Manoury, DOMELYS Technologies has developed an innovative system to filter gray water "hot" then make the move in a heat exchanger to warm water cold and reduce the cost of heating water.

An innovative technology : CalH2O

CalH20 is the first system designed by the company Domelys Technologies, which has developed in the very specific niche of the recovery of waste heat. 

Its principle is simple: recover some of the calories water showers (all days above 30 ° C) to transmit them to the cold water before entering the water heater. "Our philosophy was to meet this need with a very robust process, autonomous and maintenance free, totally transparent to the user and especially depreciable within 5 years," explains Frédéric Manoury, associate director.The system CalH2O, whose heart is a direct heat exchanger (the water circulates within the heat exchanger and water worn out), puts out a filtration step specifically developed for the application (with automatic cleaning system) to protect the heat exchanger. We also note that the incoming cold water is treated against tartar for the same reasons to protect the entire network of water heaters. 

Applications

This recovery of calorie can reduce the cost of hot water from 33% to 45%, as each degree earned on the incoming water upstream of the heater corresponds to a saving of 1,16 Wh / liter. The first target of technology Domelys are all large consumers of hot water, at least 180 m3 per year of hot water (55 ° C), so for example hairdressers (250 to 300 m 3 / year) or equipment collective (gyms, swimming pools etc.).. Returns on investments are always less than five years and even in certain cases of about two years. The pilot run last year with the process that is now marketing. 

Source : Green news

More information : Domelys

Windcap Energy : Aerocap tower

Windcap Energy is a french company based on the Technopole Brest Iroise. Having made their previous careers in the offshore oil industry, the founders of Windcap were however interested in other forms of energy, particularly renewable energy which will inevitably in the future one of the alternative sources of oil. 

Wind suburban Windcap 

The company has developed an innovative tower of energy spread using the wind resource. This is the first standardized modular, decentralized, industrial production of renewable energy based on wind resource in suburban area of activity. 

Stacking diabolos 

This is not a contemporary sculpture, but a wind that forms unusual throne before the buildings of the school of engineering Brest. Two diabolos three meters in diameter, composite materials, stacked one on another. In rushes into the tunnel, the wind gathers pace and spins of small propellers. "Depending on the wind, they can produce up to 10 kilowatts, said Alain Larivain. We turn to the model of six meters in diameter in early 2009, if possible in an industry. " The first marketing could intervene at the end of that year. For comparison, four five-storey towers of six meters in diameter would correspond to a conventional wind turbine equipped with blades 30 to 35 m in diameter. Windcap aims of the industrial or commercial areas or communities, for a production ranging from 100 to 500 KW. 

Looking for investors 

Later marine energy, the system houlomoteur is currently digital, it works on the computer screen. Its development is linked to the arrival of private or public. "You have to find between one and two million euros to develop a prototype, Alain Larivain. We are associated with a company in Hong Kong and we are negotiating with other foreign companies, but no French. " A former specialist in off-shore has already drawn on the computer platform, bringing together, sea, diabolos and float. For tomorrow.

Source : Le telegramme de Brest, Windcap

More information : Windcap Energy

CEA LITEN : Lighting enters the era of nanotechnology

Nanoluminophores developed by CEA LITEN open the way to new applications for lighting and signage sectors.

CEA LITEN's nanoluminophores*, developed for a variety of applications such as anti-counterfeit or photovoltaic systems, are once again breaking new ground. This time, they are converting primary light from the latest low-consumption LED developments for lighted sign and signalling applications. By lighting ceilings, entire walls or even windows, these applications offer greater energy efficiency and enhanced lighting quality. Another possibility is transparent indicator signs, cylindrical or spherical in shape, which display predetermined messages. 

To obtain white light with good conversion efficiency, LITEN researchers use luminophores emitting at green and red wavelengths when excited by low-energy photons with blue wavelengths. While fluorescent nanometric semiconductor crystals known as quantum dots provide good efficiency and light quality, they remain relatively fragile. 

Researchers are focusing on rare earths, which are more stable. Unlike many luminophores currently on the market that react to ultraviolet light (254 nm), rare earths can be used to produce materials activated by lower-energy blue light sources."The energy difference between the photon consumed and the photon emitted is thus smaller and the conversion efficiency better,” explained Renard. 

Direct applications in signage 

So far, the scientists have developed a rare earth system embedded in a glass plate. The luminophores emit at green and red wavelengths and are excited by blue-green light at 490 nm. "To meet our ultimate objective of white light, we are adjusting the mixture and glass compositions to make the system excitable at 460 nm." 

At the same time, the scientists have deposited organic fluorescent ink (excitable at 460 nm) on plastic films. The first tests on luminophores emitting green light were conclusive. Now the scientists need to develop inks emitting in the red region and validate the mixtures for obtaining white light. 

Custom signage applications are possible. "This nearly invisible ink makes it possible to create display areas on totally transparent objects,” noted Renard. CEA is also participating in the Luminosurf project, whose activities are part of the Axelera competitiveness cluster. Following the lead of Philips Eclairage, CEA plans to develop illuminated surfaces based mainly on luminophores excitable at 460 nm where efficiency is compatible with lighting standards. The first illuminated surface prototype should be ready in 2010. 

*Substances emitting light when excited by photons, varying in size from 1 µm to a few nanometres.

Source : CEA LITEN 

More information : CEA

Novea Energy : An innovative lamp combining solar and wind

Novéa Energy is a french company based near Anger. It was created with the assistance of the incubator Angers Technopole. Novéa Energy positions itself on the basis of products derived from its research and development efforts in the market for alternative energies of small powers. 

Novéa Energy is currently supporting its development on three activities: 

      - Lighting self-energy, 

      - The exploitation of hydropower on existing water mills, 

      - Product development for the industrial self - 

By offering quality products, designed to take into account their full life cycle (recycling, recovery), the Energy Novéa has a real ambition to meet the great expectations of all those who feel concerned by sustainable development.

Innovation

The company developed an innovative lamp named Smart Deco Avenue.

This autonomous lamp has the advantage of being applicable anywhere knowing that traditional power is absent.

It combines two energy sources: solar and wind power. 

Its patented design combines a double source of energy and a LED lamp.Using a complementary way of the sun and wind, provides a source of permanent power whatever the weather. 

It is very simple, since no cut and no wiring is required. Only earthworks for anchoring the mast is to be performed. The technical part, in an elevated position is not sensitive to floods and vandalism.

To finance its development, Novea energy raised money from Pays de la Loire Développement (Sodero Management), Oseo innovation and a business angel.

Source : Novea Energy 

More information : Novea 

ECOREN increased the yield of biomass cogeneration

Based in Lyon, ECOREN is a french engineering company focused on new energy. Its major objective is to develop a new technology for energy production from biomass, both powerful, clean and inexpensive. The company developed a process called COGEBIO based on a new thermodynamic cycle for electricity production from wood waste. 

Innovation 

COGEBIO project allows an electrical efficiency of 30% in a cogeneration from biomass.  The process used to generate electricity from biomass with a yield two to three times higher than the systems currently available in a power range of 30 to 200 kWe. 

The package is designed as a module mounted in the factory, easily transportable and quick installation. It accepts all types of biomass: forest wood chips, bark, sawdust, waste plants, etc.. It is intended primarily for industrial farmers with biomass resources and rural communities. 

A project led by Etienne Lebas 

The project led by Etienne Lebas, a researcher at the French Institute of Petroleum. A prototype will be done in a commune in the Loire. The latter will mainly be marketed to manufacturers of timber, farmers and public.

Etienne Lebas is a research engineer with the Institut François du Petrole (IFP). He has been associated with IFP since 1995, first in the field of natural gas treatment processes and then in the thermal engineering department. In 2001 Dr. Lebas became project leader in the field of gas turbine combustion. Dr. Lebas earned a Ph.D. in process engineering from the Institut Nationale Polytechnique de Lorraine in 1995. He has filed 18 patents and authored more than 15 publications and congress communications.

Source :  IFP, ECOREN

OLMIX presents Morgane - A green refinery project

Founded in 1995 by Hervé Balusson, the Olmix company is a specialist in “green” chemicals. Based in Bréhan in the Morbihan département (Brittany), it has sales of 52 million euros, 250 employees, seven factories in Europe and offices in 80 countries worldwide. 

OLMIX leads the way. At a time of heightened environmental awareness stemming from the Grenelle Environment Forum (meeting of political leaders and NGOs held in Paris to debate and negotiate environmental issues) and just weeks away from the Salon International de l’Agriculture, where industry leaders will discuss agriculture and sustainable development, the company presents “Morgane”, a green refinery project that is the first of its kind in Europe.

For the first time, a “green” chemicals unit is capable of combining animal and vegetable waste with green algae and transforming them into renewable energies and natural products for agriculture.

The pilot site of “Morgane” will be located in Ploërmel (Morbihan département), in the heart of Brittany, the international group’s home territory and an area rich in raw materials resources. Morgane will offer a next-generation response to two of the region’s major environmental concerns: nitrate pollution and the proliferation of green algae along the coastline.

The Morgane initiative is already backed by leading organisations: the Caisse des Dépôts (France’s state-owned financial group), the Ploërmel municipal community, various agricultural cooperatives and the Centre d’Enseignement Agricole de la Touche, an agricultural learning and research facility. The commitment of these actors is evidence of the convergence of public-private interests in the roll-out of this sustainable development project.

In launching Morgane, Olmix takes a step further in its commitment to sustainable development. A specialist in innovating high-technology products that respect the environment, Olmix develops and produces natural additives to replace synthetic ones and markets its solutions to industrial enterprises all over the world.

Source : Olmix