**Showcase Europe:**

######### ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES

*Europe Environmental Markets Binder 2008*

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Showcase Europe Environmental Technologies Coordinator: Greg O'Connor

Environmental Technologies Specialist: Veronika Novakova

US Commercial Service, American Embassy

Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1

Tel: +420 257 022 434, Fax: +420 257 022 810

[www.buyusa.gov/europe](http://www.buyusa.gov/europe)

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

Introduction......................................................................................................3

Environmental Market --
Austria.............................................................................7

Environmental Market --
Belgium............................................................................8

Environmental Market -- Bosna &
Hercegovina...........................................................9

Environmental Market -- Bulgaria
.........................................................................10

Environmental Market --
Croatia...........................................................................11

Environmental Market -- Czech
Republic..................................................................12

Environmental Market --
Denmark.........................................................................13

Environmental Market --
Estonia...........................................................................14

Environmental Market --
Finland............................................................................15

Environmental Market --
France............................................................................16

Environmental Market --
Germany.........................................................................17

Environmental Market --
Greece............................................................................18

Environmental Market --
Hungary..........................................................................19

Environmental Market --
Ireland............................................................................20

Environmental Market --
Italy...............................................................................21

Environmental Market --
Netherlands......................................................................22

Environmental Market --
Norway........................................................................\...23

Environmental Market --
Poland............................................................................24

Environmental Market --
Portugal........................................................................\...25

Environmental Market --
Romania..........................................................................26

Environmental Market --
Russia.............................................................................27

Environmental Market -- Slovak
Republic.................................................................28

Environmental Market --
Slovenia..........................................................................29

Environmental Market --
Spain...........................................................................\...30

Environmental Market --
Sweden...........................................................................31

Environmental Market --
Switzerland......................................................................32

Environmental Market --
Turkey............................................................................33

Environmental Market --
Ukraine........................................................................\...34

Environmental Market -- United
Kingdom................................................................35

EU
Funding....................................................................................................36

Selected European Trade
Shows...........................................................................
38

##### *[INTRODUCTION]{.underline}* 

##### 

##### Exporting U.S. Environmental Technologies to Europe -- Why Now?

########  {#section-1 .unnumbered}

While the United States is the world's leading producer of environmental
technologies (ET), it earns only 9% of its revenues from exports, while
Japan and the EU earn 15-20%. This comparatively meager export record
translates into billions in lost opportunities for revenue and tens of
thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Europe represents one-third of the world's \$550 billion and growing
environmental market, and is the U.S.'s largest ET exports market .
European Union (EU) environmental regulations are some of the toughest
in the world, and get more stringent each year. U.S. technology is badly
needed to cost efficiently meet many EU standards. The EU is offering
\$4.2 billion in cohesion funds to new members to help them achieve EU
environmental standards. U.S. companies are eligible to compete for this
funding. The European Union's Environmental Technologies market,
therefore, represents one of our most significant under-penetrated
export markets.

##### The Purpose of this Binder

The purpose of this report is to give U.S. companies an overview of
environmental sector opportunities in Europe. This binder offers:

-   A brief introduction offering good approaches to the market

-   Country-by-country market analysis

-   A guide to sources of financing.

-   Key trade shows and exhibitions.

This report includes Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, including
Russia.

*A Note on Methodology*

The purpose of this report is NOT to provide comprehensive market
research on the European market. Such a report would require a much more
intensive research effort, and probably would not be particularly
helpful to companies in this stage of market entry. Instead, we are
drawing upon Commercial Service expertise on the European marketplace to
provide a general overview, which companies can then use to tailor
specific strategies.

*About the Quicktake:*

In its role as coordinator for Showcase Europe's Environment sector,
Commercial Service Prague is now offering the Quicktake (QT) for the
environmental sector. The Quicktake offers exporters new to Europe a
Europe-wide approach to entering the market. Quicktake is a new service
for qualified American companies where around 25 market specialists
across Europe quickly review your product's export potential in their
respective markets. In ten business days, you will get a survey that
covers: current demand, future demand, competition and next steps.
(Note: Due to human resources limitations we accept only one QT client
in two weeks).

For more information contact: <Veronika.Novakova@mail.doc.gov>

*Showcase Europe Environmental Technology team web pages:*

<http://www.buyusa.gov/europe/environmental_technologies.html>

*EU legislation*:

For more information on how EU legislation shapes the European market
for environmental technologies and on how to benefit from EU funding for
environmental projects, contact the Commercial Service at the U.S.
Mission to the EU or visit the website at:
<http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/>

**Let the U.S. Commercial Service Help You Enter European Markets**

At the U.S. Commercial Service, our staff study market trends and work
with your business to evaluate different channels of distribution. We
help you identify business opportunities that suit your objectives. We
work with you to find the best local partners, distributors, and
representatives. We advocate on your behalf to help you resolve issues
in your favor. Professional staff in our offices located at U.S.
embassies and consulates throughout Europe are prepared to work with you
to increase your opportunities and your successes in Europe.

Ask us about our Gold Key Service, International Partner Search, or
Customized Market Research to learn more.

##### Europe: West, Central, and East

Although the 27 EU member states all fall under EU environmental
regulations, the EU leaves individual countries wide discretion in terms
of environmental goals, techniques, and incentive programs. Each country
in the EU has a distinct environmental market with distinct
characteristics.

Those in Eastern European countries not yet in the EU are, for the most
part, seeking EU accession. While they are not required to be in
compliance with EU environmental standards, most are seeking better
compliance as part of the EU accession process. These countries,
therefore, act much like the newest EU member-states in environmental
approaches.

Western European environmental markets are characterized by:

-   Substantial government funding

-   Public (usually transparent) tenders

-   Strong European and local competition

Eastern European markets are characterized by:

-   Large array of potential projects, most without feasibility studies

-   Extensive potential EU funding

-   Fewer, less transparent tenders

-   Weaker competition

-   New for innovative project financing approaches

These are two distinct types of markets requiring distinct market
approaches.

##### Suggested Market Entry Strategies

One good approach for U.S. firms new to the European market is to use
two mid-sized markets: one Western, one East, as test markets. Companies
can use these test markets to learn and make initial revenue, then
expand from there making best use of lessons learned.

*Western Europe Market Strategy*

While this marketplace has more competition, opportunities remain, and
U.S. technologies are well respected. At the beginning of the market
entry process, U.S. companies should make repeated visits to Western
Europe to meet and develop key contacts. Many major industry trade shows
are held in Western Europe - attending them is an ideal way to get a
broad feel for the market and competition. Supplementing trade show
participation with the US Commercial Service's Gold Key "Matchmaking"
Service is an efficient, effective way to begin prospecting the market.
As a follow-up, consider inviting the best prospects to the US to view
the technologies in action. These are simple but necessary steps needed
to build up the relationships that are so vital to doing business in
Europe and tapping into EU funding.

*Central/Eastern Europe Market Strategy*

The environmental remediation market of Central and Eastern Europe is
not an easy one to penetrate, but it remains one of the most dynamic --
and still unknown -- market opportunities of the decade.

For U.S. companies to successfully compete in the Central and Eastern
European markets, a partnership with a local company is crucial. Native
companies have the personal connections and networks required to learn
about potential projects. Your local partner will have a firm grasp of
the business practices and standards of the local market. In general, a
local environmental consulting or engineering firm is your best entree.

Once you have a good local partner, there are two good approaches to
finding environmental projects. The first is to search for tenders. A
second -- and very worthwhile approach -- is to create projects from the
ground-up. Once you have the local partner, seek out for the potential
opportunities. Most cities in the region have long lists of
environmental issues, and are anxious for proposals on what to do with
them. Work with the city or regional government, and a local partner.
Work with your government partner to submit the plan for the European
Union and other funding.

*Information on Tenders:*

Sources of tenders include:

-   Regional or city government tenders (Usually newly EU-funded
    regional projects)

-   Feasibility studies (or follow-ups to studies) from the U.S. Trade
    and Development Agency (TDA) grants (See http://www.tda.gov and
    [http://www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/)).

-   European Union Tenders database:
    <http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/>

*[ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET BRIEFS]{.underline}*

**AUSTRIA**

**Capital:** Vienna **Population:** 8,184,691

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1995 **Language:** German

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP: \$**255.9 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$31,300

**Environment - Current issues:**

Austria has a generally high level of environmental protection and
eco-efficiency, with organic farming and renewable energy use among the
best in Europe. Pressure on the environment is increasing due to rising
levels of passenger and freight transport, causing air emissions, noise,
and the disruption of ecosystems. Austria has thus been unable to reduce
its greenhouse gas and NOX emissions to meet Kyoto objectives (instead
of a 13% cut, emissions actually rose by 3%).

**Environment - International agreements**:

*Party to agreements on:* Air Pollution, -Nitrogen Oxides, -Persistent
Organic Pollutants, -Sulfur 85, -Sulfur 94, -Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83 and 94, Wetlands, Whaling.

**Industries:**

Construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and
wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment,
tourism.

**Best prospect sectors:**

Spending on the environment is heavily weighted towards water pollution
control (34%) and waste management (33%). Bio-diversity and landscape
preservation consume 13% of total spending. Air pollution control
accounts for 8%, and noise abatement 4%. These two sectors shall growth
in the coming years as vehicle traffic poses problems for the Austrian
environment.

**Summary:**

Austria is a small country, about the size of Maine, with a beautiful
natural topography including the verdant Danube Valley, the rolling
hills of the south and east, and the famous Austrian Alps. Preservation
of the environment is an extremely important issue here, and both
lawmakers and citizens take it very seriously. Among the world leaders
in per capita spending on environmental protection measures, and number
one in Europe, Austria spends about EUR 6.8 billion or roughly 3% of its
national GDP on the environment annually. About 56% of total expenditure
is financed by private enterprises. Private households pay for 23%, and
21% comes from the public sector. Austria is also a leader in
environmental technology, with more than 330 companies employing over
17,000 people and selling goods with a value of more than 3.78 billion
EUR annually (service companies excluded). Over 65% of this value is
exported, making up around 10% of all Austrian exports.

# [Contact Information]{.underline} 

# Ms. Marta Haustein, Commercial Specialist

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091 Vienna, Austria

Tel.: +43 1 313 39 2205, Fax: +43 1 310 6917

E-mail: <Marta.Haustein@mail.doc.gov>

**BELGIUM**

**Capital:** Brussels **Population:** 10,296,421

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, a founding member (1957) **Language:**
Dutch/French/German

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$373.4 billion

**NATO:** Member since 1949 **GDP/Cap:** \$36,265

**Environment - Current issues:**

The environment is exposed to intense pressures from a dense population:
urbanization, transportation network, industrialization, extensive
animal breeding and crop cultivation. Land from former coalmines and
hazardous industrial sites will be decontaminated. The market is
primarily driven by EU, national and regional environmental legislation
and targets.

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution,-Nitrogen Oxides, -Sulfur 85, -Sulfur 94,
-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of
the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83 and 94, Wetlands

*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants.

**Industries:**

Engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food
and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass.

**Best prospect sectors:**

Best prospects for U.S. firms include innovative and/or competitive
technologies for: water/wastewater treatment/prevention: drinking water
purification, underground water pollution prevention and treatment;
measurement and analysis instruments, monitoring equipment, process
controls; air and noise pollution control equipment: air pollutants
emissions control (CO2, VOC, Nox), air filters, scrubbers, dedusters,
air/gas purification systems, noise abatement materials; competitive
soil remediation technologies; and cost-efficient recycling technologies
in niche waste streams, recycling of final residues to avoid land
filling.

**Summary:**

The average Belgian environmental expenditure (public and private
sectors) is approximately 2% of GDP, amounting to approximately \$5.1
billion that is divided among air pollution control, water/wastewater
treatment, waste management, soil remediation, and environmental
consultancy. The market is primarily engineering and service-oriented,
it has several reputable companies active on worldwide markets. Most
companies provide environmental services in integrated wastewater
treatment, waste management, and soil remediation. Owing to the
country\'s size and demographics, waste treatment and disposal services
are extremely developed and sophisticated. Industrial take-back
obligations management systems are blossoming in increasing number of
industrial sectors. Still, challenges remain in areas such as reduction
of toxic emissions, manure treatment, acidification, progressive
clean-up of former industrial sites.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Stephane P. Croigny

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Boulevard du Regent 27 Regentlaan, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Tel: +32 2 508 2425

Fax: +32 2 512 6653

Email: [.stephane.croigny@mail.doc.gov]{.underline}

**BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA**

**Capital:** Sarajevo **Population:** 4,025,476

**Accession to the EU:** No **Language:** Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

**Currency:** Marka **GDP:** \$28.26 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$6,800

**Environment - Current issues:**

Air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban
waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure
because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands

**Industries:**

Steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly,
textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft
assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining (2001)

**Best prospect sectors:**

Improvement of water supply systems and waste water treatment
facilities; sanitation of waste disposal sites, incineration, systems
for waste separation; and air pollution emission control.

**Summary:**

As a result of the war, the wastewater and waste management systems were
severely damaged. Since 1996, reconstruction led by the World Bank
raised \$213 million for water supply, wastewater and waste management
systems. Since 80% of the investment was targeted for water supply
projects, that sector is now improving. Yet, sewage collection and
treatment are still unsatisfactory and far behind the EU standards.
E.g.: only 4 of the country's 10 water treatment plants are now
operating.

Until now, emergency intervention was emphasized, but attention is now
focused on permanent restoration of existing systems and development of
new projects. It is estimated that about \$80 million will be spent to
increase both the quality and population coverage of water supply and
wastewater collection, bring solid waste collection and disposal up to
environmentally sound standards, clean up illegal solid waste dumping
sites, and provide additional wastewater treatment facilities for
discharges from urban areas.

For these purposes, the World Bank is preparing the Environmental
Infrastructure Project. It will target funding to waste collection and
water supply, especially in the rural areas and to involve private
sector. Major objectives of the project are to improve solid waste
services and water supply; increase regulatory, administrative and
technical capacity; improve legal regulatory framework and cost recovery
mechanism to encourage private sector involvement and correct env.
problems and reduce health hazards caused by inadequate collection and
disposal systems.

The World Bank has approved a \$292,490 grant for environmental capacity
building. The main grant activities are institutional needs assessment;
environmental standards and environmental monitoring system review; and
development of an environmental strategy and national action plan.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Edin Fetahovic

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Alipasina Street, 710 00 Sarajevo

Tel.: +387 33 445 700, ext. 2134, Fax: +387 33 219 185

Email: <Edin.Fatahovic@mail.doc.gov>

**BULGARIA**

**Capital:** Sofia **Population:** 7,450,349

**Accession to the EU:** 2007 **Language:** Bulgarian, Turkish, Roma

**Currency:** Lev **GDP:** \$66.96 billion

**NATO:** since 2004 **GDP/Cap:** \$9,000

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw
sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air
pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals
from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes.

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, -Nitrogen Oxides, -Persistent Organic
Pollutants, -Sulfur 85, -Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

**Industries:**

Electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery and
equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum,
nuclear fuel.

**Best prospect sectors:**

[1, Water/ wastewater management]{.underline} -- Plants needed for more
than 250 cities of above 2,000. Only 58% of wastewater is treated. The
water pipe network is worn-out. 70% of the pipes are made of asbestos
and cement and have been in use for more than 20 years. Drinking water
loss from the pipes is 52.77%. The level of water supply system control
is unsatisfactory. 70.2% of towns have sewerage systems while only 2.1%
of villages. State/municipally owned Water Supply and Sewerage
Companies, will be privatized.

[2, Energy]{.underline} -- Energy is used inefficiently. The country
will be required to generate at least 8% of its total power from
renewable resources in order to meet the criteria for the EU entry.

[3, Waste management]{.underline} - Bulgaria utilizes only landfills for
municipal waste disposal. These account for 99% of all collected waste.
With few exceptions, landfills do not comply with the new requirements.
Modern technologies for solid waste treatment are welcome. The
opportunities over the medium term are in solid waste management and
industrial waste management.

**Summary:**

Promising but unexplored market for U.S. pollution control products
technologies. In addition to domestic concerns, e.g. human health,
nature protection, industrial efficiency and tourism promotion, the
process of accession to the EU in 2007 will require a massive enviro.
Cleanup and strict implementation of standards. We will need more than
US\$2 billion for environmental projects in order to meet EU
requirements. The EU is providing major grant financing for
environmental infrastructure projects. We will need to import almost all
technology for this, and U.S. companies that possess world-class,
competitive technology, equipment, services and systems will be best
poised to benefit from these opportunities. Some U.S. companies are
already working in Bulgaria successfully. The low US dollar, quality,
technological leadership, and reputations of U.S. companies are often
viewed in Bulgaria as effective counterweights to pressure from EU
companies to \"buy European.\"

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Stanislava Dimitrova

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Saborna Street 1, 1000Sofia, Bulgaria

Tel: +359 2 963 4062, Fax: +359 2 980 6850

Email: <Stanislava.Dimitrova@mail.doc.gov>

# **CROATIA** 

**Capital**: Zagreb **Population**: 4,496,869

**Accession to the EU**: Candidate Country **Language**: Croatian

**Currency**: Kuna **GDP**: \$47.05 billion

**NATO**: Candidate Country **GDP/Cap**: \$10,600

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Control of air pollution emissions, construction of new and upgrade of
existing waste water treatment facilities, urban and industrial waste
management, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, rehabilitation of
existing and erection of new waste disposal sites, construction of
incineration facilities.

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, -Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

**Industries:**

Chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics,
pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products,
construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum
refining, food and beverages; tourism

**Best prospect sectors:**

Water quality maintenance and monitoring, improvement of water supply
systems and waste water treatment facilities, solid waste management,
systems for waste separation, rehabilitation of waste disposal sites,
treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, construction of
incineration(s), air pollution emissions control.

**Summary:**

Concerns are: insufficient treatment and coverage for municipal and
industrial wastewater, uncontrolled dumping of wastes and lack of proper
disposal sites, check on air pollution emissions in industrial areas to
meet the legal limits. Meeting the criteria for utility infrastructure
quality in cities and communities is one of the prerequisites for
getting closer to the EU too. This especially refers to infrastructures
used in env. protection: wastewater collection and purification, waste
collection and disposal, air protection. We will be required to invest
up to US\$ 10 billion in the env. sector prior to the EU accession. So
far, only 0.2-0.3% of GDP have been directly invested , which is US\$
30-35 million annually. It is expected that these amounts will increase
in line with the practice in developed countries to approx. 1% of GDP.
Along with the non-returnable international funds already available for
the major improvements, env. protection is financed by loans from the
World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. ***IPA
(Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance***), the new single EU
pre-accession assistance for the period 2007 -- 2013 has replaced CARDS
and pre-accession programs PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD. Its objective is to
assist candidate countries in the process of gradual harmonization with
the EU *acquis communautaire*. Pursuant to the Croatian Government
Regulation of 28 September 2006, the** **[Central Office for Development
Strategy and Coordination of EU
funds](http://www.vlada.hr/en/adresar_i_linkovi/sredisnji_drzavni_uredi/sredisnji_drzavni_ured_za_razvojnu_strategiju_i_koordinaciju_fondova_eu)
is the body competent for an overall coordination and preparation for
the use of the IPA program in the Republic of Croatia. IPA program is
available to Croatia from 2007 until Croatia's accession to the EU. In
the period until 2010, the amount allocated to Croatia is USD 885
million, starting with USD 92.3 million in 2007 with a foreseen
permanent increase of the annual amount of funds which in 2010 should
amount to USD 231.3 million.

Key institutions: Ministry of Env. Protection, Physical Planning and
Construction; [www.mzopu.hr](http://www.mzopu.hr/);Min. of Agriculture,
Forestry and Water Management; [www.mps.hr](http://www.mps.hr/);Croatian
Waters; [www.voda.hr](http://www.voda.hr/),Agency for the Env.
Protection; [www.azo.hr](http://www.azo.hr/);Fund for the Env.
Protection and Energy Efficiency;
[www.fzoeu.hr](http://www.fzoeu.hr/),Croatian Business Council for
Sustainable Development; [www.hrpsor.hr](http://www.hrpsor.hr/)

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Dalila Uzelac

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb, Croatia

Tel: + 385 1 661 2224 Fax: + 385 1 661 2446

E-mail: <Dalila.Uzelac@mail.doc.gov>

**CZECH REPUBLIC**

**Capital:** Prague **Population:** 10,241,138

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 2004 **Language:** Czech

**Currency:** Crowns **GDP:** \$184.9 billion

**NATO:** Yes, a member since 1999 **GDP/Cap:** \$18,100

**Environment - Current issues:**

Air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern
Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests;
efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic
pollution, wastewater treatment plans upgrades

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Air Pollution-Persistent
Organic Pollutants

**Industries:**

Automotive, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments

**Best prospect sectors:**

Prague Waste water treatment plant is planning large upgrade project --
it will be the largest water project in the country. Other water
companies also planning investments in next year or two include Water
and Sewerage company Vyskov (\$19 mil. for reconstruction of its water
infrastructure) and Severoceska vodarenska (\$42 mln. for acquiring new
and repairing existing water and sewerage pipes). The Environment
Ministry has approved the construction of a storage facility for spent
nuclear fuel inside the facility of nuclear power plant Temelín. Energy
company ČEZ wants to commence construction of the facility with a
capacity of 1,370 tons in 2010. Government pushes for larger proportion
of renewable energy sources.

#### 

#### **Summary**

The Czech Republic's accession to EU was one of the main drivers for
introduction of new environmental laws in the country. Expenditures
needed to comply with these laws are estimated 250 billion CZK (approx.
\$ 9 bil.) over the next few years. New regulations require wastewater
treatment plants for towns between 2 --10,000 people by 2010. A number
of WWTPs plans upgrades. In 2003, the estimated overall production of
waste reached 29,198 thousand tons. About 10% of total waste production
was municipal waste. One citizen produces approximately 330 kg of waste
a year, a number below EU average. On the other hand, the Czech republic
still lags behind original EU-15 countries in the amount of recycled
waste. In the renewable energy sector there is a large gap between the
Czech Republic and EU member countries. The EU -- current 15 member
states - is aiming to supply 12% of gross energy consumption from
renewable sources by 2010. In the Czech Republic renewable energy usage
is about 3 % of total energy consumption now. Czech Republic committed
itself to reaching the goal of 8 % usage by 2010.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Veronika Novakova

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1, Czech Republic

Tel: 00 420 257 531 162, ext.:2437, Fax: 00 420 257 531 165

E-mail: <Veronika.Novakova@mail.doc.gov>

**DENMARK**

**Capital:** Copenhagen **Population:** 5,432,335

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1973 **Language:** Danish, Faroese,
German

**Currency:** Danish Crown **GDP:** \$182.1 billion

**NATO:** member since 1949 **GDP/Cap:** \$33,500

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions;
nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface
water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution,-Nitrogen Oxides,-Persistent Organic
Pollutants,-Sulfur 85,-Sulfur 94,-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, 94, Wetlands, Whaling\
S*igned, but not ratified:* Law of the Sea

**Industries:**

Food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing,
chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood
products, shipbuilding, windmills

**Best prospect sectors:**

[Remediation of contaminated sites]{.underline} -- The market players
are very competitive and the newest remediation technologies are in use.
A U.S. company wanting to enter the Danish market should be among the
leaders in the industry and be able to offer cost-efficient and
innovative products. A local representation or partnership with a Danish
company is crucial for success.

**Summary:**

Denmark is a technological world leader in the area of environment and
clean energy. The Danish government has always been very active in
promoting new and efficient means to keep the environment clean. The
country is one of the most environmentally regulated in the world. There
have been several financial incentives to promote research and
development within the industry. In general Danish environmental
companies are highly skilled and very competitive. Many are working with
innovative technologies.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Sabina Krøigaard

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark

Tel.: +45 3341 7403, Fax +45 3542 0175

Email: <Sabina.Krogaard@mail.doc.gov>

**ESTONIA**

**Capital:** Tallinn **Population:** 1,332,893

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since May, 2004 **Language:** Estonian,
Russian

**Currency:** Estonian Crown **GDP:** \$21.81 billion

**NATO:** since spring 2004 **GDP/Cap:** \$16,400

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in
northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have
fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the
amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was
one twentieth the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new
water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased;
Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of
which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is
polluted in certain locations

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands

**Industries:**

Engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information
technology, telecommunications

**Best prospect sectors:**

Some of the major causes of the Estonian environmental deterioration are
above all, the use of out-to-date technologies consuming large volumes
of raw material and generating large quantities of waste, underdeveloped
environmental-technical infrastructure and insufficiency of financial
resources and management instruments.

**Summary:**

Fifty years of development under conditions of unbalanced economic
relations in a closed society has resulted in underdeveloped machinery
and technology and irrational use of natural resources. As a result,
conflict situation between the use and protection of the environment
developed in a number of regions of Estonia and formed the preconditions
for environmental crisis. Significant environmental stress was also
caused by past pollution associated with the activities of the former
Soviet army. Elimination of past pollution will take decades. In 1989,
the Supreme Council of Estonia adopted the Policy on Nature Conservation
and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, which provided an assessment
of the state of the environment. Today, the use of natural resources as
well as environmental protection, are regulated by administrative means.
Principles of environmental protection are being integrated into
economic activities. The Act on Sustainable Development was passed in
1995. Current priority environmental problems are waste management,
contaminated soil and water and air pollution caused by past military,
industrial and agricultural activities.

# **FINLAND** 

**Capital:** Helsinki **Population:** 5,3 million

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1995 **Languages:** Finnish (92%),
Swedish(5.5%)

**Currency:** Euro since January 2002 **GDP:** \$210.8 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$40,036

**Environment - Current Issues:**

Acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the
Baltic Sea; air pollution; global warming.

**Environment - International Agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine
Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants.

**Industries:**

Electronics/telecommunications, forest industry, machinery, chemicals,
shipbuilding, energy, etc.

## **Best Prospect Sectors:** 

Monitoring, measuring, and sampling instruments for detection of air and
water pollution. All types of advanced air cleaning technology used in
the pulp and paper, chemical, and heavy metal industries, as well as in
municipal energy and power plants. Nitrogen oxide emissions removal
technology: including catalytic converters and low nitrogen oxide
combustion technology for burners and boilers. Dust reduction equipment:
including dynamic and electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters,
centrifugal fans, and blowers. Waste management: equipment to improve
waste management processes, in particular, closed systems for lumber
companies and prevention of phosphorous discharges. Municipal waste
recycling and recovery: technical advances for the entire recycling
logistics chain, including sensors, separators, monitoring, optic
handling devices for metal recycling, crushers, and bio waste separation
equipment.

**Summary:**

The environmental sector in Finland has evolved into a dynamic area
where production of new technologies is gaining international
prominence. Both individuals and leaders of industry have become highly
conscious of the high standards of environmental protection and
preservation. In Finland, the necessity for utilizing the best available
technology is included in the Water Act, Air Pollution Control Act,
Waste Act, and Sea Protection Act.

Demand for air pollution control equipment is strong in Finland due to
increasing environmental concerns in surrounding countries (i.e., in
Russia \-- the Kola Peninsula and St. Petersburg \-- and the Baltic
States).

There is very favorable demand for imported U.S. products and
investments in Finland. There are no trade barriers or major regulations
that need to be overcome. The key competitive factors in selling
environmental technology in Finland are quality and level of technology,
with price as a secondary factor. Using an importer is recommended.

[Contact information:]{.underline}

Ms. Mia Maki

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Itainen Puistotie 14 B, FIN-00140 Helsinki, Finland

Tel: +358 9 6162 5140

Fax: +358 9 6162 5130 E-mail: <mia.maki@mail.doc.gov>

**FRANCE**

**Capital:** Paris **Population:** 60,424,213

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, a founding member (1957) **Language:**
French

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$ 1.66.1 trillion

**NATO:** Member since 1949 **GDP/Cap:** \$27,600

**Environment - Current issues:**

Some forest damage from acid rain (major forest damage occurred as a
result of severe December 1999 windstorm); air pollution from industrial
and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural
runoff

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, -Nitrogen Oxides, -Sulphur 85, -Sulphur 94,
-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

**Industries:**

Machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics;
textiles, food processing; tourism

**Best prospect sectors:**

Due to EU directives, the market for construction, operations,
maintenance and repairs of small-to- medium-sized water treatment plants
capable of servicing communities of 10,000 inhabitants is expected to
offer some of the greatest opportunities. Wastewater sludge treatment,
installation and maintenance of septic and stand-alone sewage treatment
tanks, remote monitoring technology; and water filters and purifiers
will also offer important opportunities. Financial and environmental
legal liability has been a key driver for strong and continued growth in
the risk assessment, characterization, RI and soil remediation market

**Summary:**

France will have to construct major water distribution and wastewater
treatment facilities covering all of France because of EU standards. In
most cases, all of France's regions will have to comply by 2006. Cities
with a population of 2000 to 15,000 will have until 2006. This EU
directive is expected to offer a growing market over the next few years.
Currently there are 5.3 million non municipal sewage treatment systems
(4 million septic and stand-alone sewage treatment tanks) in France.
According the French authorities over 90 percent of these systems do not
conform to the French Water Agencies Directives (over half of the stand
alone units do not comply with current or future environmental
regulations). They will, therefore, need to be replaced or revamped.
Point-of-Use water treatment products and equipment will be in greater
demand as the deadline to conform to EU Directives (98/83/CE) French law
on tap water standards approaches. Instrumentation capable of measuring
and treating Lead, Bromides, Trihalomethanes, and turbidity will be
highly desirable over the next 10 years.

French Ministry of Environment has identified approximately 4000
potentially polluted industrial sites to date. The Ministry is scheduled
to survey and classify 300,000 public and private industrial land sites
and brown fields within the next year, thus, stimulating demand for
remediation equipment and services. The market, estimated at USD 1.24
billion (1 billion euros), is expected to grow at 10 to 15 percent over
the next decade.

[Contact information:]{.underline}

Mr. Everett Wakai

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

2, avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris cedex 08, France

Tel: +33 1 43 12 23 70 Fax: +33 1 43 12 21 72

Email: <Everett.Wakai@mail.doc.gov>

# **GERMANY**

**Capital:** Berlin **Population:** 82,501,000

**Accession to the EU:** founding member **Language:** German

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$2.753 trillion

**NATO:** Yes **GDP/Cap:** \$29,968

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air
pollution; acid rain from sulfur dioxide emissions damaging forests;
pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents
from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; ending the use
of nuclear power over the next 15 years; identify nature preservation
areas in line with the EU\'s Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive.

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution,-Nitrogen Oxides,-Sulfur 85,-Sulfur
94,-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Env. Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of
the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, 94, Wetlands, Whaling *signed, but not ratified:*
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

**Industries:**

Production of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles,
machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles

**Best prospect sectors:**

[Waste management]{.underline} -- 260,000 employees in more than 5170
companies and a turnover of 55 bln. Euro (2003). The total volume of
waste was 366 million tons in 2003. 56% of the municipal and 40% of the
industrial waste is recycled (2002) -- showing an increasing tendency.

[Soil remediation]{.underline} -- In 2000, the total number of estimated
contaminated sites was nearly 363,000. The maturing market will likely
lead to treatment for end-use only, thus further slowing remediation
expenditures. Increasingly stringent legislation requirements will
become a driving force in sub-sectors of the market rising demand for
new technologies designed for the remediation of specific contaminants.

**Summary:**

Germany is the largest market for contaminated site remediation in
Europe. Policies focus on maintaining or reestablishing the ecological
balance of water bodies, guaranteeing drinking and process water
supplies and providing long-term safeguards for other water uses, in
particular preventing ground and surface water pollution with hazardous
substances. In 2004, 70 mln. tones of the climate-damaging CO2 gas
release were prevented by use of renewable energies. Germany subsidizes
the use of env.friendly technologies. State helps to fund evaluations
and installation of renewables. Air pollution has declined considerably,
even taking into consideration the major air pollution from coal-burning
stoves and industrial plants in East Germany. Based on the Kyoto
Protocol, Germany has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21%
during the period 2008-2012 as compared to 1990. German operators of
about 2,400 installations are able to participate in emissions trading
from 2005. Ground-level ozone elimination is a challenge. The summer
smog action program, launched in 2000, comprises different measures with
long-term impacts aimed at reducing the precursors that lead to summer
smog.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Paul Warren-Smith

FCS, American Consulate General, Giessener Strasse 30, 60435 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany

Tel: +49 69-7535-3120, Fax: +49 69-7535-3171

# Email: [Paul.Warren-Smith@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Paul.Warren-Smith@mail.doc.gov) 

# **GREECE**

**Capital:** Athens **Population:** 10,668,354

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1981 **Language:** Greek

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$215.9 billion

**NATO:** Member since 1952 **GDP/Cap:** \$22,800

**Environment - Current issues:**

Air pollution; water pollution

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine
Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of
the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Antarctic
Treaty, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

**Industries:**

Tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal
products; mining, petroleum

**Best prospect sectors:**

The areas that hold the greatest potential for U.S. firms in the Greek
environmental market are:

-   Innovative technologies for the development and operation of waste
    management and recycling facilities

-   Innovative technologies for treatment and disposal of hazardous and
    medical waste

-   New technologies to create valuable end-products from any form of
    waste

-   Composting equipment

-   Water and waste water treatment technologies, aeration and
    purification systems

-   Air and sea pollution products

-   Technologies that convert energy from olive waste (Greece is one of
    the major olive producers in the world).

U.S. engineering and consulting firms which specialize in environmental
projects enjoy a very good reputation for superior project planning and
delivery. An unofficial estimate of the U.S. share of this market is
around 10%, not including equipment supplied by European subsidiaries of
U.S. firms. European companies are mainly favored because of the
proximity and knowledge of the Greek market versus U.S. companies that
may find it expensive and time consuming to enter this new market. The
U.S. share may increase over the next few years, as many decision-makers
in search of environmental solutions visit the U.S. and various sites in
Europe where American companies operate landfills and recycling sites
utilizing modern technology.

Despite the strong competition from European companies, U.S. companies
have the potential to capture a good share of this lucrative market.

Summary:

The environment is one of most important issues of this decade in
Greece. The Greek market for environmental equipment and services is
expected to far outstrip local capacity during the next years. Although,
according to European Union (EU) statistics, Greece has one of the
poorest records on tackling environmental problems in the EU, the Greek
Government's efforts to improve environmental quality are impressive.

According to the Greek Ministry of Environment, the Greek environmental
market is estimated at approximately \$2.2 billion, 1.5% of GDP.
Investments in environmental infrastructure through EU and national
programs have been the centerpieces of the environmental progress in
Greece. These investments have been used for the construction of
numerous wastewater and solid waste treatment facilities as well as the
building of new recycling plants, composting facilities and treatment
plants for industrial and hazardous waste materials.

The implementation of EU environmental legislation in national laws has
also created the appropriate institutional basis for successfully facing
the environmental protection challenges. In early January 2007, the
Minister of Environment announced that the Ministry's investment plan
for the upgrading, modernization and protection of environmental
projects, such as waste management, recycling, water treatment,
purification systems, and desalination, for the period 2007 -- 2013
would be \$6.3 billion, and it will be implemented through the
operational program \"Environment and Sustainable Development.\" The
Ministry has also completed the legislative framework and infrastructure
for the handling of hazardous waste, as well as incentives for reduced
C02 emissions. As these efforts continue, the Greek market for
environmental equipment and services will have excellent growth
potential over the next several years.

Municipalities or other government entities control over 98% of Greek
waste collection, waste and water management, recycling and treatment
facilities. Consequently, providing environmental engineering services
in the Greek market means contracting with Greek government authorities
at various levels. In order to do so successfully, foreign firms usually
align themselves with Greek engineering companies in partnerships and
consortia. These partnerships make U.S. business interests eligible for
EU funding.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Irene Ralli

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy, Athens PSC #108, Box 30 APO
AE 09842, Greece

Tel: +30 210 720 2302, Fax: +30 210 721 8660

Email: <Irene.Ralli@mail.doc.gov>

**HUNGARY**

**Capital:** Budapest **Population:** 10,032,375

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since May, 2004 **Language:** Hungarian

**Currency:** Forint **GDP:** \$139.8 billion

**NATO:** since 1999 **GDP/Cap:** \$13,900 (at ppp)

**Environment -- Current issues:**

The upgrading of Hungary\'s standards in waste management, energy
efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental
requirements for EU accession will require large investments

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

S*igned, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

**Industries:**

Automotive, electronic parts and instruments, metallurgy, chemicals &
pharmaceuticals, machinery, processed foods.

**Best prospect sectors:**

Primarily, the government decided to maintain focus on wastewater
treatment developments, while water quality improvements and waste
management are also supported. Further priorities include
environment-related infrastructure projects like motorways, roads to
by-pass cities, etc. Until recently the country\'s spending on
environmental projects was low, 1.2-1.3 % of GDP. With current ambitious
development plans this must increase in the upcoming years. Today,
expenditure on wastewater accounts for nearly 50% of the total spending
on env. Projects, waste management for 15 %, followed by remediation of
contaminated sites and air pollution control. Currently more major
wastewater and regional waste management projects are being financed
partially by the EU Cohesion Fund and supplemented by Hungarian state's
funding. In December 2005, a French consortium, led by Degremont and OTV
France, won a tender for the construction of Budapest's central sewage
treatment plant, Europe's largest env. investment. The \$6-700 million
project will be financed 65% by Cohesion Fund, 20% by the Hungarian
Government and 15% by Budapest Municipality. In addition to a great
number of small local companies, Germany and Austria are the major
players on the env. technology market, followed by France in the water
sector and also the Netherlands, USA, Japan and the Scandinavian
countries; thus American companies face stiff competition. Many foreign
environmental companies have made significant investments during the
last decade while others work via local consulting companies and/or
distributors.

**Summary:**

Improving environmental standards is one of Hungary's top priorities
after joining the EU on May 1, 2004. While Hungarian env. legislation
has adopted most EU laws and regulations, enforcement is not strong
enough. It will take several years to bring the country's environmental
infrastructure to EU standards. After the EU accession, Hungary became
eligible for EU Structural and Cohesion Fund grants. Since tenders for
EU-funded projects under the Structural (infrastructure related) and
Cohesion (environment and transportation infrastructure) Funds do not
have a nationality requirement, they may extend to U.S. involvement and
U.S. companies may benefit from Hungary's receiving EU funds.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Agnes Pandur-Csiszer

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Bank Center, Szabadsag ter 7-9, H-1054 Budapest, Hungary

Tel: +36 1 475 4090 Fax: +36 1 475 4676

Email:
[Agnes.Pandur-Csiszer@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Agnes.Pandur-Csiszer@mail.doc.gov)

**IRELAND**

**Capital:** Dublin **Population:** 4,015,676

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1973 **Language:** English, Irish,
Gaelic

**Currency:** euro **GDP:** \$136.9 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$34,100

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber
94, Wetlands, Whaling\
S*igned, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Marine Life Conservation

**Industries:**

Food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software

**Summary:**

While Ireland currently enjoys a relatively healthy environment, it is
under increasing pressures. The country's economy, over the past ten
years, has experienced unprecedented growth with marked changes in
industrial and agricultural production. While the potential pressures on
the environment are growing, the means to combat them are keeping pace
through a widening range of laws and policies. At international level,
there have been developments in relation to controlling greenhouse and
acidifying gas emissions and to the protection of air and water quality.
At national level, the statutory controls on industrial activity and
waste management have been strengthened, while policies have been
devised to counter the regionally unbalanced nature of development.
Three specific challenges for the Irish environment are: 1, meeting
international commitments on air emission; 2, eutrophication prevention
and control; 3, waste management

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Padraig O'Connor

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland

Tel: +353 1 667 4752, Fax: +353 1 667 4754

Email:
[Padraig.O\'Connor@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Padraig.O'Connor@mail.doc.gov)

**ITALY**

**Capital**: Rome **Population:** 58,103,033

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, a founding member (1957) **Language:**
Italian

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$ 1.645 trillion

**NATO:** Member since 1949 **GDP/Cap:** \$26,700

**Environment - Current issues:**

Air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal
and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents;
acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and
disposal facilities.

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic
Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

**Industries:**

Machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics;
textiles, food processing; tourism

**Best prospect sectors:**

Italy has considerably strengthened its national environmental
institutions, implemented EU Directives, and further developed
environmental responsibilities to regional and local authorities.
Opportunities for U.S. companies exist in the water supply systems and
wastewater management systems, waste recycling and hazardous waste
management equipment technologies and services.

**Summary:**

The pollution control equipment and services market in Italy provides
one of the best prospects for U.S. firms, technologies, and services.
Pollution continues to represent one of the most serious problems facing
Italy. The Italian government fully recognizes these problems and is
moving forward both at the structural level and through individual
projects. The Italian water treatment equipment sector is undergoing
strong growth largely driven by European and national water legislation.
A "Water Resources Act" known as the "Galli Law", will eventually force
thousands of public entities currently managing the various phases of
the water cycle with no coordination, to group together, thus
establishing new larger entities (either public or private) to manage
the entire water cycle as an integrated operation. The investment needed
to bring Italy's water and sewage system up to international ranges from
approximately 18 billion dollars over four years to approximately 47
billion dollars over ten years.

Italy has also been experiencing serious industrial and urban waste
problems for years. The shortage of landfills has created extremely
difficult situations in major Italian cities. Every year Italy generates
approximately 64 million tons of waste. At present, Italy has the
capacity to properly manage and dispose of only 30 percent of the waste
it generates. The emergency situation, together with the availability of
EU and GOI funds and new safer technologies for waste-to-energy
incineration should give a boost to this sector in the medium-long term.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Nicoletta Postiglione

American Consulate General, U.S. Commercial Service

Via Principe Amedeo 2/10, 20121 Milan, Italy

Tel: +39 02 6268 8522, Fax: +39 02 659 6561

Email: <Nicoletta.Postiglione@mail.doc.gov>

**NETHERLANDS**

**Capital**: Amsterdam: The Hague is the seat of government
**Population**: 16,570,613

**Accession to the EU**: Yes, a founding member (1957) **Language**:
Dutch/Frisian

**Currency**: Euro since January 1999 **GDP**: \$638.9 billion

**NATO**: Founding member **GDP/Cap**: \$38,600

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Air pollution, climate change, acidification, eutrophication, toxic and
hazardous substances, contaminated land, waste disposal, disturbance,
groundwater depletion, water pollution

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

**Industries:**

Agro-industries, steel and aluminum, metal and engineering products,
electric machinery and equipment, bulk chemicals, natural gas, petroleum
products, transport equipment, microelectronics, and fishing

**Best prospect sectors:**

Best prospects for U.S. companies include equipment for soil
remediation, state-of-the-art water treatment equipment and measuring
and analysis instruments, particulate emission collectors and emission
filters, equipment for monitoring air quality and air testing
instruments, fuel gas desulphurizing and purifying equipment, gas
monitors and samplers, Nox and SO2 analyzers, biological water cleaning
systems, water pollution control equipment.

**Summary:**

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the
world and also has the highest density of industry, cattle and transport
in the European Union. Its economic, industrial and leisure activities
are extensive and expanding so, not surprisingly, the quality of its
environment is facing serious threats. The environmental sector consists
of suppliers of products and services for environmental management.
Suppliers of products (manufacturers and importers) manufacture, supply
and/or install equipment and installations designed to prevent or combat
pollution. The service providers are engaged in design and engineering
activities, project management, policy support, sampling and analysis.
There are 1,455 companies operating in the Dutch environmental sector.
The majority are SMEs. The sector supplies innovative solutions for the
following environmental themes: waste disposal and processing,
wastewater treatment, air purification, soil remediation, environmental
noise control, environmental management and consultancy. The market is
largely a replacement market dominated by orders to replace old
machinery and equipment rather than purchase new equipment for the first
time. A recent principle of the Dutch government is to spend more money
on environmental protection in order to compensate the negative effect
of ongoing economic growth. Current environmental policy objectives
include continuing the implementation of strict environmental rules and
regulations, focus on soil remediation, reduction of the domestic
warming effect and noise control. A high priority in the Netherlands is
reducing air pollution. The National Institute for Public Health and the
Environment (RIVM) of the Netherlands estimates that each year 18,000
people die prematurely because of air pollution in the Netherlands.
Cutting pollution levels can help and is a European priority. Pollutant
emissions have fallen substantially over the past two decades, but are
still dangerously high. Current regulations in the Netherlands are
insufficient to reach European air quality targets. New measures and a
new approach are required.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Jennifer Ritfeld

FCS, US Embassy, Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague, The Netherlands

Tel: +31 70 310 2416 / 7

Fax: +31 70 363 2985

Email:
[jennifer.ritfeld@mail.doc.gov](mailto:August.maffry@mail.doc.gov)

**NORWAY**

**Capital:** Oslo **Population:** 4,593,041

**Accession to the EU:** No **Language:** Norwegian

**Currency:** Norwegian Crown **GDP:** \$194.7 billion

**NATO:** since 1949 **GDP/Cap:** \$42,400

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting
lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling\
*Signed, but not ratified:* none of the selected agreements

**Industries:**

Petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper
products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

**Best prospect sectors:**

In Norway, a total of 8.8 million tones of waste are generated every
year. In 2002 about 67% of all the industrial and household waste was
utilized either as a source of energy or as a raw material in recycling
plants. The remaining 34% was delivered for final treatment such as
land-filling or incineration without energy recovery. The proportion of
household waste that was recycled also increased, from 9% in 1992 to 45%
in 2003.

**Summary:**

Norway is a strong driving force in international environmental issues.
It is a small country with few major environmental problems of its own,
but serious damage to its environment can be caused by activities in
other countries. Examples of damage caused by other countries are acid
rain, nuclear accidents and environmental toxins in arctic food chains.

Norway's coastal and marine waters are generally clean and healthy.
However, in many fjords and harbors, there are high concentrations of
hazardous chemicals in bottom sediments. This is mainly the result of
earlier releases of pollutants from industrial activities and polluted
seepage from landfills near the coast. The country has also been trying
to tackle the issue of contaminated sites, most of which originate from
earlier industrial and mining activities or from closed landfills
containing hazardous waste. So far, over 3000 sites have been
identified. The Norwegian government has set the objective that
pollution of soil, water and sediments caused by earlier activities,
inappropriate disposal of waste etc., shall not entail a risk of serious
pollution problems.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Vidar Keyn

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Drammensveien 18, N-0244 Oslo, Norway

Tel: +47 21 30 88 34, Fax: +47 22 55 88 03

Email: <Vidar.Keyn@mail.doc.gov>

**POLAND**

**Capital:** Warsaw **Population:** 38,125,000

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 2004 **Language:** Polish

**Currency:** Zloty **GDP in 2006:** \$552.4 billion

**NATO:** Member since 1999 **GDP/Cap in 2006:** \$14,489

**Environment - Current issues:**

Situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and
increased environmental concern by post-communist governments; air
pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide
emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has
caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal
sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol. *Signed, but not ratified:* Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,

**Industries:**

Machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding,
automotive, electronics, home appliances, food processing, glass,
beverages, and textiles

**Best prospect sectors:**

Recent EU directives are stimulating modernization of Polish
environmental equipment. Such modernization is prevalent in the fuel
sector, the water sewage treatment plant systems, storage facilities,
and the manufacturing and recycling of discarded packaging. Poland\'s EU
commitments are drivers for renewable energy development. Poland\'s
target is 10.4% of energy production from renewable sources by 2010 what
means almost tripling the current production.

**Summary:**

As a new EU member Poland's biggest environmental market driver is the
strong desire to meet European Union environmental standards. The cost
of adapting the Polish economy to EU standards of environmental
protection will amount to between USD 19 and 35 billion.

The most significant new challenges, which lie ahead for entrepreneurs
follow: Businesses need to obtain integrated permits gained by the use
of more environmentally friendly materials. EU membership also means
high costs for entrepreneurs running energy installations with a
capacity exceeding 50 MW, and also operators of waste furnaces and
installations for the production of titanium dioxide. New regulations in
the field of environmental protection, which came into force as of May
1, 2004, tightened up storage requirements for petrol, its distribution,
and transportation from terminals to petrol stations. Entrepreneurs have
to significantly reduce the levels of emission into the atmosphere of
volatile organic compounds. Industrial waste produced by entrepreneurs
has to meet the most stringent standards.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Ania Janczewska

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

IPC Business Center, Poznanska 2/4, 00-680 Warsaw, Poland

Tel: +48 22 625 4374, Fax: +48 22 621 6327

Email: <Ania.Janczewska@mail.doc.gov>

**PORTUGAL**

**Capital:** Lisbon **Population:** 10,566,212

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1986 **Language:** Portuguese,
Mirandese

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$194.8 billion

**NATO:** Founding member **GDP/Cap:** \$18,400

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions;
water pollution, especially in coastal areas

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber
94, Wetlands\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification

**Industries:**

Textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals and
metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; rubber and plastic
products, ceramics, electronics and communications equipment, rain
transportation equipment, aerospace equipment, ship construction and
refurbishment, wine; tourism

**Best prospect sectors:**

Prospects for environmental suppliers within the Portuguese market are
exceptionally favorable.

[Wind energy]{.underline} -- There are good opportunities for U.S.
companies engaged in the manufacture of turbines, towers, remote
monitoring system, foundations, electrical and civil infrastructures as
well as operations and maintenance of the wind power plants.

[Solar thermal energy]{.underline} -- Close to 240,000 m2 of solar
collectors are installed in Portugal, which is a small amount
considering the resource available.

[Solid waste]{.underline} -- Residents are encouraged to separate
recyclables from the rest of their trash but they are not required to do
so. Residents are also encouraged to separate their wastes and deposit
them at curbsides or at drop-off centers. Recycling has grown 11% during
January-July 2003 to similar period of 2002.

[Soil remediation]{.underline} -- This field offers good opportunities
for American environmental companies since they are recognized leaders
in this area. The best sales prospects in the remediation sector are in
products, innovative environmental technologies, soil services,
groundwater remediation services, and human health risk assessments.

**Summary:**

The Portuguese environmental market can be characterized as a one having
all the main drivers in place. In particular there is 1, an increasing
emphasis on enforcement as a means of correcting the poor standards of
pollution control and waste management applying throughout Portuguese
industry, 2, an accelerating program of privatization, aimed at bringing
in both the capital and expertise needed to provide adequate
environmental infrastructure, 3, the availability of EU funding for
major environmental infrastructure projects. The Portuguese market for
environmental technologies and services is estimated at £3.3 billion
between 2000-2006. The largest market sector is water and wastewater
treatment (WWT), valued at £2.5 billion, followed by waste management
(WM), at £303 m. The EU will be contributing with over £1.5 billion of
the total amount.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Pedro Ferreira

U.S. FCS, American Embassy, Av. da Boavista, 3523 - Room 501, 4100-139
Porto, Portugal

Tel: +351 22 618 6607, Fax: +351 22 618 6625, E-mail:
[Pedro.Ferreira@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Pedro.Ferreira@mail.doc.gov)

# **ROMANIA**

**Capital:** Bucharest **Population:** 22,276,056

**EU Member** since January 1^st^, 2007 **Language:** Romanian

**Currency:** RON **GDP:** \$256.9 billion (estimate 2007)

**NATO:** Yes **GDP/Cap:** \$11,800 (estimate 2007)

**Environment - Current issues:**

Air pollution due to heavy traffic, chemical and petrochemical industry,
and thermo power plants; Waste disposal (industrial and municipal),
Water pollution because of agricultural practices and insufficient
wastewater treatment, Soil pollution due to mining, oil & gas industry
and agricultural practices.

**Environment - International agreements**:

*Party to:* Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer
Protection, Kyoto Protocol, Danube River Protection Convention, Black
Sea Convention.

**Industries:**

Apparel, timber, agriculture, construction materials, metallurgy,
chemicals, machine building, food processing, petroleum production and
refining, mining, tourism.

**Best prospect sectors:**

Although EU is one of the largest investors in this sector, U.S.
companies may enter the Romanian environmental sector.

Best prospect areas for such products and services are related to
projects managed by municipalities and local governments (water supply,
waste water treatment, solid minimization, recycling and disposal,
district heating, mining waste), projects handled by individual
companies (emissions and effluent reduction and treatment, pollution
prevention measures, hazardous waste disposal, energy utilization, and
soil remediation), projects related to the construction, modernization,
or extension of landfill sites for both cities and villages or
construction of deposits for industrial wastes, the creation of secure
centralized deposits for dangerous waste, the establishment of
incinerators for dangerous and clinical waste, and waste re-cycling.

**Summary:**

In order to comply with the European Union standards, Romania will need
investments totaling USD 44 billion in order to implement the
environmental protection standards by 2018, when the extension clauses
previously negotiated with the European Commission expire. The highest
investments will be required in the areas of water and wastewater, solid
and hazardous waste management, and large combustion plant air quality
control.

According to the Romanian government's strategy, priorities for
allocating the investments mentioned above must focus on waste and
wastewater, for which adequate treatment facilities must be built, to
prevent them from turning into a permanent pollution factor. The cost
assessment for building such facilities is approximately USD 14.25
billion, of which USD 8.55 billion will be destined for wastewater
treatment and USD 5.7 billion for sewage systems.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Maria Nitou

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy, Str. Gen. Praporgescu 1-5,
Bucharest, Romania

Tel.: +40 21 200 33 79, Fax: +40 21 316 0690

Email: <Maria.Nitou@mail.doc.gov>

**RUSSIA**

**Capital:** Moscow **Population:** 143,420,309

**Accession to the EU:** No **Language:** Russian

**Currency:** Ruble **GDP:** \$1.535 trillion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$10,700

**Environment - Current issues:**

Air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired plants and
transportation in cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural
pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion
and contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals;
radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination; urban solid waste
management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine
Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, S*igned, but not ratified:* Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94

**Industries:**

Mining and extractive industries in coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and
metals; machine building, defense, shipbuilding; road and rail
transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural
machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power
generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific
instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts

**Best prospect sectors:**

Pollution control equipment, environmental technologies and consulting
services, recycling technologies and cleaner manufacturing processes,
opportunities for bio mass plants, municipal solid waste plants, and the
oil spill prevention and treatment technologies, fresh water preparation
and water sanitation

**Summary:**

Issues connected with offshore oil and gas development, forestry,
fishing, and mining are receiving increasing attention. Secondary
processing of raw materials is an economic development priority for the
administration, but not yet realized. The lack of infrastructure
investment means that sewer/water services are insufficient. Municipal
wastewater treatment, drinking water improvement, and residential solid
wastes\' utilization have become urgent. Majority of solid wastes in are
being stored at landfills, only a small percentage of it is being
burned. Recycling has already started to attract the attention,
especially wastes containing non-ferrous and precious metals. The
municipal authorities of some cities (i.e. Yakutsk) have expressed
interest in building trash-steam plants for residential solid waste
treatment. Less than one third of sewage in Russia goes through any kind
of treatment. A very low percentage of the wastewater is being purified.
The situation in the cities located on the ocean is worse than in those
that are situated on the rivers. The technologies of the wastewater
treatment plants are mostly outdated. Energy sector is based on coal and
diesel fuel. Out of renewables, wind stations have the most promising
potential. Nuclear waste utilization and treatment is also a concern
(especially nuclear submarines ). Modern technologies for
fire-prevention and extinguishing, forests reforestation and
rehabilitation are required. There is also growing demand for
wood-wastes minimization and recycling into commercial products.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Marina Kamayeva

US CS, American Consulate; 25, Nevskiy Prospect, St. Petersburg 191186,
Russia\
Tel: 7 812 326 2500, Fax: 7 812 326 2501

Email:
[Marina.Kamayeva@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Marina.Kamayeva@mail.doc.gov)

**SLOVAK REPUBLIC**

**Capital:** Bratislava **Population:** 5,423,567

**Accession to the EU:** May, 2004 **Language:** Slovak

**Currency:** Slovak Crown **GDP 2005:** \$46.17 billion

**NATO:** since May, 2004 **GDP 2005/Cap:** \$8,500

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Air pollution caused by metallurgical plants; windstorms damaged six
percent of Slovak forests in 04, only 60% of sewage water is cleaned in
wastewater treatment plants.

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Agreement of Cooperation
between The Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic and state of
Maryland, Memorandum of Understanding between The Ministry of
Environment of the Slovak Republic and U.S. Agency for International
Development, Memorandum of Understanding between The Ministry of
Environment of the Slovak Republic and U.S. Peace Corps in Slovakia

S*igned, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

**Industries:**

Automotive (manufacturing. 1 m cars/year), automotive parts and
components , metallurgy, electrical machinery/parts, automatic data
processing machinery, medical equipment, chemical, plastics, dental
supplies and equipment.

**Best prospective sectors:**

In Slovakia there are approximately 800 companies active in the
environmental sector with 150 in wastewater and treatment. Slovakia has
groundwater monitoring at nearly 300 stations in country and
opportunities for the US firms are ripe in fields like protection,
prevention, remediation, monitoring, and waste disposal. In particular,
prospects for U.S. companies remain strong in the privatization of
state-owned water utilities, construction of new wastewater treatment
plants as well as rebuilding and updating existing plants, recycling
facilities, and biological waste facilities. Consulting services, market
research and management services in implementing new government
procedures and regulations are needed also.

**Summary:**

Slovakia is heavily industry-oriented without a coherent environmental
strategy and suffers from significant environmental damage. It has
developed to the point that most legal regulations and frameworks for
environmental protection are adopted, yet enforcement is still an issue.
The Strategy, Principles and Priorities of the State Environmental
Policy were approved in 1993. This document outlines Slovakia's
environmental policy agenda until 2010 and includes a comprehensive
legal platform for solving issues related to waste management, an
environmental impact assessment and the environment as a whole. Two
basic areas of immediate concern are to connect populations to water and
sewer system (as indicated by EU Directives) and eliminate pollution.
The biggest foreign competitors are Germany (waste management) and
France, Belgium and Italy (water treatment and protection technologies).
The Czechs and Austrians have a significant share of the Slovak market
with U.S. environmental companies a minor market share.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Mr. Marian Volent

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy, Panska 14, 811 01 Bratislava,
Slovak Republic

Tel: +421 2 5920 5318, Fax: +421 2 5920 5333

Email: <Marian.Volent@mail.doc.gov>

**SLOVENIA**

**Capital:** Ljubljana **Population:** 2,000,860

**Accession to the EU:** May 1^st^, 2004 **Language:** Slovenian

**Currency:** Slovene Tolar (Euro from 1.1.2007) **GDP:** \$35 billion

**NATO:** Member since 2004 **GDP/Capita(PPP):** \$18,500

**Environment - Current issues:**

Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of
coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage in
the south western region from air pollution, acid rain, and frequent
forest fires.

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Basel Convention
(monitoring of movement of dangerous waste)\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

*Planed for ratification*: Helsinki Convention

**Industries:**

Ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting,
electronics (including military electronics), automotive (cars and car
parts), electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals,
machine tools

**Best prospect sectors:**

Improvement of water supply systems and waste water treatment
facilities; sanitation of waste disposal sites, incineration, systems
for waste separation; and air pollution emission control.

**Summary:**

Slovenia's environmental legislation is harmonized with the European
Union and its latest directives. Although waste and pollution control
mechanisms in Slovenia have improved over the last five years, Slovenia
has to intensify activity for better environmental protection. The major
concerns in Slovenia are: insufficient level of treatment and coverage
for municipal and industrial wastewater; uncontrolled dumping of solid
and hazardous wastes; lack of proper disposal sites; lack of recycling
facilities and incinerators; control of air pollution emissions in
industrial areas. Increase of hazardous waste is of particular concern.
In July 2002, Slovenia ratified the Kyoto protocol, according to which
Slovenia has to reduce greenhouse gases 8% between 2008 through 2012.
Industry in Slovenia produces 873 kilos of waste per capita annually.
Industry contributes 90% of the country's air emissions. Slovenia has
only two incinerators and 10 active industrial waste dumps (landfills).
A couple of them will have to be closed in the next two years and two
will operate only untill 2008, because they cannot meet the minimum
environmental criteria. Slovenia currently exports a significant share
of its waste, but plans to build new landfills in the coming years.
Environmental indicators for Slovenia show that Slovenia's main efforts
will have to be made regarding wastewater, NO~x~ emissions, greenhouse
emissions, and solid waste. Slovenia's objective through 2010 is to
decrease emissions of SO~2~ from 71 kt down to 27 kt, NO~X~ from 60 kt
to 45 kt, HOS from 48 kt to 40, and NH~3~ to 20 kt. Largest contributor
to the SO~2~ emissions is the energy production, which accounts for 81%.
The largest contributor to the NO~X~ emissions is traffic( 66%).

[Contact information:]{.underline}

Ms. Spela Falatov

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy, Presernova 31, 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia

Tel.: +38 612 00 55 27, Fax: +38 612 00 55 55

E-mail: <Spela.Falatov@mail.doc.gov>

**SPAIN**

**Capital:** Madrid **Population:** 45,200,737

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1986 **Language:** Spanish

**Currency:** Euro since January 1999 **GDP:** \$1.23 trillion

**NATO:** Member since 1982 **GDP/Cap:** \$27,422 million

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from
the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity
nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification

**Environment - international agreements:**

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not
ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants.

**Industries:**

Textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals
and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine
tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals,
medical equipment.

**Best prospect sectors:**

Priority environmental issues include water management, biodiversity
conservation, climate change and air pollution, sustainable tourism and
waste management. Spain needs to improve areas of further controlling
air emissions and improving air quality by reducing ground level ozone
and particulates from stationary and transport sources, shifting to
water demand management and efficient water pricing, phasing out
subsidies and making better use of economic instruments to encourage the
efficient management of resources and reduce pollutants, anticipating
the EU reduction of environmental support in areas such as water
infrastructure, more tightly enforcing pollution and land use
regulations, such as coastal zone protection, at national and regional
levels. The Spanish Ministry of Environment estimates that the
environmental market in Spain has grown an average of 14 percent in
recent years.

**Summary:**

The areas of need for improvement include urban waste and hazardous
waste. There is a big investment in desalination plants through the AGUA
program. The AGUA Program intends to obtain water from rivers and the
ocean, as well as to better re-use treated wastewater. Most soil
remediation equipment is imported. Due to the priority given by the
government to environmental issues such as pollution control and
contaminated soil, public and private sector companies are and will
continue to invest in this market. From August 2005, companies selling a
broad range of electrical goods in Europe need to conform to WEEE (Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) and as of July 2006,
those same companies will also need to conform to RoHS (Restriction of
Use of certain Hazardous Substances Directive). Renewable energies
represent the biggest opportunity for Spain over the next ten years.
According to Renewable Energy Plan (2005-2010), 12 percent of the energy
consumed will be renewable energy. This plan projects an investment of
almost 23 billion euros (more than \$31 million) in renewable energy in
Spain to reduce energy dependence and increase the safety of supply.
Waste-to-energy is one of the areas covered by the Spanish Renewable
Energy Plan.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Carmen Adrada

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy, Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid,
Spain

Tel: +34 913 081 542, Fax: +34 915 630 859, Email:
<Carmen.Adrada@mail.doc.gov>

**SWEDEN**

**Capital:** Stockholm **Population: 9,031,088**

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1995 **Language:** Swedish

**Currency:** Swedish crown **GDP:** \$290.1 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$32,200

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Climate change is considered to be one of the major environmental
challenges. Air pollution -- caused by emissions from transportation as
well as industrial sectors. Acid rain damage to soils and lakes;
pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber
94, Wetlands,Whaling\
S*igned, but not ratified:* none of the selected agreements

**Industries:**

Engineering industry, machinery, paper products, electrical and computer
equipment, motor vehicles, chemical products, pharmaceuticals, iron and
steel, foodstuffs

**Best prospect sectors:**

Equipment/techniques for remediation of contaminated sites. Monitoring,
measuring and sampling instruments for air pollution. The import climate
is open and the Swedish market is receptive to U.S. products. American
firms interested in entering the Swedish market should be able to offer
cost-efficient and innovative products. Although domestic production is
strong and Swedish equipment and technology for the environmental sector
is highly competitive, trade sources believe that there is room for new,
innovative equipment and services.

**Summary:**

Sweden was among the first countries in the world to recognize the
growing environmental problems. The Swedish Environmental Protection
Agency, the first national agency in the world with responsibility for
environmental issues, was formed in 1967. The Swedish environmental
technology market has an estimated annual turnover of SEK 102 billions
(USD14 billion),The number of Swedish companies active in the area of
environmental technology (water and waste water treatment, waste
management and recycling, as well as renewable energy and energy
efficiency improvements) now totals 3,755 of which 32 percent are
exporting. Swedish exports in this area has shown a strong growth and
reports an increase of 36% since 2003.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Catharina Kronstrom

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-115 89 Stockholm, Sweden

Tel: +46 8 783 53 52, Fax: +46 8 660 91 81

Email: <Catharina.Kronstrom@mail.doc.gov>

**SWITZERLAND**

**Capital**: Bern **Population:** 7,489,370

**Accession to the EU**: No **Language**: German, French, Italian,
others

**Currency:** Swiss franc **GDP**: \$262.1 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap**: \$35,000

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning, acid rain,
water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers, loss of
biodiversity.

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands, Whaling\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Law of the Sea

**Industries:**

Machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments

**Best Prospect Sectors:**

Both land filling of waste and industrial activities have left their
mark on Swiss soil: around 50,000 sites, including numerous bodies of
water, are polluted, and up to 4,000 will have to be remediated over the
next 20-25 years, at a total cost of CHF 5 billion. Every year, some
30,000-60,000 tones of waste are still burnt illegally. Although this is
only 1-2% of the total amount of combustible waste, it produces more
than twice the amount of dioxins and furans that is emitted by all the
country's hazardous-waste and municipal- waste incinerators combined.
Switzerland is now in a position to dispose most of its hazardous waste
in domestic facilities. Technical solutions for the recovery of
recyclable metals from automobile shredder residue (ASR) are currently
being readied for the market. Since 1996, landfilling of ASR has been
prohibited, and some of this waste is now being incinerated as an
interim solution. Since ASR requires extremely high incineration
capacities, there is a need to find specialized solutions.

**Summary:**

Switzerland's position in the heart of Europe and its advanced,
prosperous economy makes it an attractive market for U.S. exporters.
Since Switzerland has few natural resources, international trade has
therefore been key to Switzerland's prosperity, with the United States
being the second-largest trading partner after Germany. Overall, for
U.S. companies, Switzerland is an attractive country in which to do
business. In Switzerland, glaciers play an important role as water
reservoirs for hydro-power production (generating 50% of all
electricity). They were frequently associated with natural hazards,
endangering humans and infrastructure in this densely populated mountain
region. Environmental impacts from glacier hazards: Lake outbursts and
ice avalanches. Detection and monitoring of potentially hazardous lakes
has been achieved by satellite remote sensing and subsequent detailed
photo-grammetric studies.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Elisabeth Mbitha-Schmid

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy

Jubilauemsstrasse 93, 3001 Bern, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 31 357 7342, Fax: +41 31 357 7336

Email:
[Elisabeth.Mbitha-Schmid@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Elisabeth.Mbitha-Schmid@mail.doc.gov)

**TURKEY**

**Capital:** Ankara **Population:** 69,660,559

**Accession to the EU:** Candidate **Language:** Turkish

**Currency:** New Turkish Lira **GDP:** \$344.8 billion

**NATO:** Yes, since 1952 **GDP/Cap:** \$4,949

**Environment -- Current issues:**

Water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution,
particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from
increasing Bosphorus ship traffic, solid/hazardous waste management

**Environment -- International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands\
*Signed, but not ratified:* Environmental Modification

**Industries:**

Textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper,
boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper.

**Best prospect sectors:**

The municipal drinking water sector offers significant opportunities for
U.S. firms. Many of the major cities have already established facilities
but they either update the systems or build additional facilities. There
is potential for new projects in cities (other than the major ones noted
above) with population of 250,000+ for the construction of new water
treatment plants. Turkey is an important stepping stone for American
companies to enter into other markets; particularly the Turkic states.
Solid waste management is a big problem in Turkey. Twenty-six million
tons of waste is produced each year and this is disposed of in an
uncontrolled fashion. There is potential for U.S. environmental
companies working on the construction of hygienic and controlled
landfills for solid waste collection, offering consultancy services on
separation of waste at landfills, landfill gas removal, recycling and
composting. U.S. solid waste services related equipment and machinery
companies might also find market in the country. On the hazardous waste
ground, 2.1 million tons of hazardous solid waste is disposed of each
year in Turkey and the number of plants that treat this type of waste is
not enough to serve the whole country. Air pollution is also another
problem the country is face to face with. Other potential is air
pollution prevention and monitoring projects at micro and macro level
both on the services and equipment.

**Summary:**

Turkey has made progress over the past fifteen years in addressing its
environmental problems. Public awareness about environmental issues and
concerns is increasing and non-governmental organizations are emerging
and exerting greater influence in the environmental lobby. The start of
the accession talks with the EU has prompted the Government of Turkey
(GOT) to address env. concerns and will continue to do as the env.
negotiations with the EU is expected to be one that will take
comparatively more time with respect to many of the other chapters. The
GOT is quickly adopting legislation to conform to EU directives. As the
Municipalities are the main actors in the management of environmental
resources, the Turkish government would like to accomplish some
improvement in the ability of Municipalities to efficiently and
effectively manage solid waste, wastewater and drinking water services.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Ebru Olcay

U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy, Kaplicalar Mevkii No: 2 ,
Istinye/Istanbul

Tel: +90 212 335 9223, Fax: +90 212 335 9103

E-mail: <Ebru.Olcay@mail.doc.gov>

**UKRAINE**

**Capital:** Kiev **Population:** 46,465,700

**Accession to the EU:** No **Language:** Ukrainian

**Currency:** Hryvnia **GDP:** \$ 103.9 billion

**NATO:** No **GDP/Cap:** \$ 2,236

**Environment - Current issues:**

Inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution;
deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986
accident at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, -Nitrogen Oxides, -Sulfur 85,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, -Marine Living Resources, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

*Signed,but not ratified:*Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants,-Sulfur

94,VolatileOrganicCompounds

**Industries:**

Coal, electric power, ferrous, nonferrous metals, machinery, transport
eq., chemicals, food processing

**Best prospect sectors:**

Waste management is in need of improvement for the treatment of solid
waste and recycling equipment, toxic waste treatment materials and
groundwater purification equipment, waste separation equipment and test
lab-ware for toxic wastes, new technologies in industrial and municipal
water treatments, water filtration, domestic water filters and water
meters. Air pollution control needs industrial exhaust filtration
equipment, systems for removing sulfur and nitrogen oxides from boiler
gases, and emission control/measurement/monitoring systems will be in
high demand.

#### 

#### **Summary:** 

New env. policy that corresponds to the "Environment for Europe"
international process requirements is being prepared. To handle urgent
pollution problems, projects have been proposed. Most critical are waste
treatment in coal mining and construction industries. Others include
reconstruction and introduction of new technologies for thermal power
and oil refining industries, soil remediation and municipal wastewater
treatment. Most of the projects have been precluded or are in the stage
of feasibility study. Waste management, water treatment, and pollution
control equipment are areas needed. We have not yet developed a
self-sufficient infrastructure for waste management and disposal. The
market for waste recycling equipment is in development. The lack of
appropriate water treatment facilities in industries such as energy,
chemicals, metallurgy, fertilizer production, coal mining, building
materials production, coke-chemical production, coal and fuel
processing, machine building and the military has led to serious
problems. Facilities at many industrial plants are working above
capacity, resulting in the discharge of considerable amounts of
untreated water into rivers. Most industrial plants lack proper
pretreatment capabilities. The effectiveness of municipal sewage
treatment systems has been reduced due to high inorganic loads. High
inorganic loads hinder biologically activated sludge treatment in
municipal sewage treatment subsystems, thereby reducing the
effectiveness of the system. Market analysis is complicated by the
difficulty in obtaining exact statistical data from institutions. The
majority of Ukrainian industrial enterprises are in need of
reconstruction and installation of new water and air pollution control
systems. Production, installation and distribution of various pollution
control systems are needed.

[Contact Information]{.underline}:

Ms. Olena Stephanska

U.S. FCS, American Embassy, Artyom Business Center 4 Hlybochytska Vul.
Kiev 04050 , Ukraine

## Tel.: +380 44 490-4018, Fax: +380 44 490 4046 Email: Olena.Stephanska@mail.doc.gov 

## **UNITED KINGDOM** 

**Capital:** London **Population:** 60,587,000

**Accession to the EU:** Yes, since 1973 **Language:** English

**Currency:** Pound sterling **GDP:** \$2.3 trillion

**NATO:** Yes, member since 1949 **GDP/Cap:** \$39,000

**Environment - Current issues:**

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; contaminated land; pollution;
urban and industrial waste management.

**Environment - International agreements:**

*Party to:* Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,
Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
*signed, but not ratified:* Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

**Industries:**

Machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad
equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics
and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper
and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other
consumer goods

**Best prospect sectors:**

U.S. companies should follow legislative developments that may create
opportunities for the market with the requisite operational skills.
These would include curbside recycling, waste separation, end-of-life
vehicle dismantling, electrical and electronic goods disposal,
alternatives to landfill disposal such as incineration, anaerobic/enzyme
digestion, contaminated land remediation, and construction; U.S.
companies having expertise or technologies in specialized areas of the
waste management such as collection, treatment and containment/disposal
of hazardous waste streams, such as radioactive material, especially in
partnership with an established UK firm. There are also opportunities
for firms skillful in operations and human resources management, esp.
municipal waste sector, as the Govt\'s Waste Strategy 2000 has targeted
curbside recycling, reuse, composting, etc. to minimize waste going to
landfill. Prospects are for innovative design so that products are
inherently more recyclable and contain less waste.

**Summary:**

In 2006, the market for waste management was worth \$10.5 billion with
434 million tons of total waste produced p.a. The most significant
sectors by "weight waste production": mining and quarrying, demolition,
agriculture and construction. Households account for approx. 30 million
tons (7%) p.a. More importance is on recycling to reduce the landfill
waste. Hazardous waste is also important as the number of sites licensed
to receive it has been reduced. No U.S. company operates in the waste
management sector. The industrial legacy has created a considerable
amount of contaminated land and these sites are often in or near cities
where there are pressures to build new residential housing and
commercial developments. Recent changes in legislation and govt.
initiatives are having impact on contaminated land assessment and
treatment.

[Contact Information:]{.underline}

Ms. Cheryl Withers

U.S. FCS, American Embassy, 24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE, United
Kingdom

Tel: +44-20-7894-0471, Fax: +44-20-7894-0020

Email: <cheryl.withers@mail.doc.gov>

*[EU FUNDING]{.underline}*

# 

# **EU FUNDING - A brief overview for U.S. companies** 

# 

## [Projects that benefit the environment may be eligible for EU funding]{.underline}

**What types of projects receive funding?** The European Union provides
substantial funds to help EU Member States comply with strict EU
environmental regulations, improve communications and transportation,
improve public administration, and promote economic convergence.\
\
**Who can apply?** U.S. companies are eligible to compete for EU funds
in most cases, though they may need an EU partner or an EU subsidiary
for certain projects.\
\
**What are the odds?** The EU application process can look long and
daunting, but if you have prior experience with any government
contracting the process will be familiar. Viable projects that submit
qualified applications and that fit well into a funding priority have a
good chance of receiving support.\
\
**What will I need to do?** If you want to take a strategic approach to
funding your project, you'll need to put in some effort.

-   Together with a regional or municipal government, identify a program
    that fits your

> product.

-   Locate an EU partner.

-   Develop a grant application for a project in your area of expertise.

**What about tenders?** Public procurement requests in the environmental
sector can be found in the European Union's Tenders Electronic Daily
(TED). The U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the EU has a
link to EU tenders on its website where companies can search tenders by
sector (see below).\
\
**What's the first step?** We suggest you:

-   Familiarize yourself with EU programs and requirements. (We can help
    give you a good

head-start on accessing EU funding.)

-   Develop one or two general concepts for EU-funded projects to
    pursue. (Look at our Hot

Leads section for ideas)

-   Come to the EU to find a local partner and have preliminary meetings
    with government

counterparts. (The U.S. Commercial Service can assist you in identifying
suitable

partners through our Gold Key Service.)

### Resources and Contact Inforamation

**U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the European Union:**\
The U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the EU offers
business counseling services and advocacy to U.S. companies interested
in responding to EU tenders and accessing EU funded programs. CS EU has
also drafted several reports that offer guidance for U.S. companies.\
<http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/eu_funds.html>\
<http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/market_research.html>\
<http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/eu_tenders.html>\
Isabelle Maelcamp, EU Funding Advisor\
Email:
[isabelle.maelcamp@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:isabelle.maelcamp@mail.doc.gov)

**U.S. Commercial Service at the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD):** The U.S. commercial Service has a liaison office
located inside the EBRD. CS EBRD works to increase the effectiveness of
U.S. participation in EBRD and inform U.S. companies of EBRD
opportunities. CS EBRD also offers guidance to U.S. companies throughout
the project cycle.\
Alice Davenport, Senior Commercial Officer/EBRD Liaison Officer\
Email:
[alice.davenport@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:alice.davenport@mail.doc.gov)\
Tel: +44 20 7588 8481\
<http://www.buyusa.gov/ebrd/>\
\
**European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD):** Like the
IFC, EBRD can either work independently, or arrange co-financing
packages in conjunction with other multilateral government and private
institutions.\
Alain Pilloux, Director, PCSB Team London HQ, tel.: (+44 171) 338-6561,
fax: (+44 171) 338-7199.\
[http://www.ebrd.org](http://www.ebrd.org/)\
\
**European Union:** Although the Member States determine what projects
to fund, the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, defines the
framework, allocates funds and enforces funding rules.\
<http://europa.eu.int/grants/index_en.htm>\
<http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/intro_en.htm>\
\
**European Investment Bank (EIB):** EIB is the EU long term financing
institution; its goal is to contribute towards the integration, balanced
development and economic and social cohesion of the Member Countries.\
[http://www.eib.org](http://www.eib.org/)\
\
**The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union in Brussels,
Belgium:** AmCham EU has several publications that may be of interest to
U.S. firms interested in increasing their business opportunities in the
EU, including:

-   Business Guide to EU Enlargement and Wider Europe

-   EU Environment Guide 2004

-   EU Information Handbook 2004

*Visit the AmCham EU website for further details*\
[http://www.amchameu.be](http://www.amchameu.be/)

*[LIST OF SELECTED EUROPEAN TRADE SHOWS]{.underline}*

**IFAT 2008**\
May 5- 9, 2008\
Munich, German\
15th International Trade Fair For Water, Sewage, Refuse, Recycling and
Street Furniture. This conference highlights waste and recycling as well
as wastewater treatment.\
Contact person: Mr. Paul Warren-Smith --
[Paul.Warren-Smith@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Paul.Warren-Smith@mail.doc.gov)\
Web Address: <http://www.mtfna.com/IFAT>

**AQUATECH**\
September 30 -- October 3, 2008\
Amsterdam, Neatherlands

Aquatech, Water Technology and Water management trade show, is held once
every two years at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam. This event
attracts some 25,000 highly qualified visitors from the Netherlands and
many other countries. The number of exhibitors is traditionally close to
900. Aquatech is one of the leading water technology and management
oriented trade shows in Europe, where you can find many US exhibitors.\
Contact person: Ms. Jennifer Ritfeld --
[Jennifer.Ritfeld@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Jennifer.Ritfeld@mail.doc.gov)\
Web pages: <http://www.amsterdam.aquatechtrade.com/aquatech2006/>

**POLECO**

November 17 -- 20, 2008\
Poznan, Poland\
Poleco represents one of the largest Central European shows in the
technology and devices for water, ground and air protection, noise and
vibration control, atmospheric pollution monitoring, wastes (treatment,
collection and transport, recycling & utilization, storage), energy,
industrial and power industry building, municipal maintenance equipment,
environmental organizations and consultancies, specialist publications,
investments of local self-governments as regards environment
protection.\
Embassy Contact: Ms. Ania Janczewska --
[Ania.Janczewska@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Ania.Janczewska@mail.doc.gov)\
Web Address: <http://poleko.mtp.pl/en>

 

**AQUATHERM**

November, 2008\
Prague, Czech Republic\
The trade fair AQUA-THERM Praha that focuses on heating, ventilation,
air conditioning, measuring, regulation, sanitary and ecological
equipment, has experienced rapid development in recent years. The
proportion of foreign exhibitors and visitors is constantly increasing.
Last year every ninth visitor and every sixth direct exhibitor was from
abroad. Traders came to the trade fair from 22 countries, and exhibitors
came from seventeen.\
Embassy Contact: Ms. Veronika Novakova --
[Veronika.Novakova@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Veronika.Novakova@mail.doc.gov)\
Web Address: [http://www.aquatherm.cz](http://www.aquatherm.cz/)

**POLLUTEC**

December 2- 5, 2008\
Lyon, France\
Pollutec is one of the top environmental shows taking place in Europe.
The show regularly attracts over 40,000 visitors out of which is more
then 10 per cent international. There are more then 1,400 exhibitors
from around 30 countries on exhibition space of 50,000 m2. Pollutec
covers all the major environmental sector sub-sectors.\
Contact person: Mr. Everett Wakai -
[Everett.Wakai@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov](mailto:Everett.Wakai@mail.doc.gov)\
Web Address: [http://www.pollutec.com](http://www.pollutec.com/)

 

**ENSORGA-ENTECO**\
October 27 - 30, 2009\
Cologne, Germany\
The collocation of Entsorga-Enteco covers the entire value chain for
waste management and environmental technology. It is an International
Trade Fair for Waste Management and Environmental Technology with the
following product segments:.supply, treatment and disposal; solid and
liquid materials; water and wastewater; technology and logistics; air
and noise, and renewal sources of energy. The fair is hled every three
years.\
Web pages: <http://www.entsorga-enteco.com/>