The systematic improvements in resource efficiency being achieved in Chinese industrial parks is relieving pressure on the environment and also bringing cost benefits. Company networks on the German model can accelerate this process – and also facilitate market access for international suppliers of environmental technology. A platform for this market access is being provided by IFAT CHINA, which takes place from 23 to 25 September 2008 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
 
In China industrial parks are an important instrument in national economic policy. Alongside the original goal of promoting economic growth, there has been an increasing focus in recent years on resource efficiency. What’s needed are concepts and methods for environmental management in modern firms.
 
In Germany, company networks have become established as a way of increasing company eco-efficiency as effectively as possible. The companies engaged in these networks share their environmental expertise and in this way help each other save costs. In a project launched recently German companies are now planning to anchor this concept more strongly in China’s industrial parks. The aim is to prepare, introduce and measure company-internal and cross-company environmental measures in 20 companies in two industrial parks in Shanghai and Suzhou, between 2007 and 2009.
 
The project is being part financed by the Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (German Investment and Development Corporation) with funds from the PPP program (Public Private Partnership) of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. The company entrusted with implementing this is Arqum of Munich, a consultancy specializing in work safety, quality and environmental management. "By attractively presenting the expected positive results for the environment and the companies’ finances, we want to encourage more firms and industrial parks in China to follow suit," explained Arqum project manager, Jens Haubensak.
 
The company can use the experience it has gained from a previous project in this field, carried out between 2005 and 2007. Here, five German companies, or companies with German participation, transferred the concept of sustainable, eco-efficient company management to their production locations in Chinese industrial parks. A key component in this was the expansion of the employees' environmental expertise through various training measures.
 
The environmental-protection measures introduced in the five participating companies had a significant effect. Each year since then they are together saving over 125,000 cubic meters of water, 1.5 tons of waste and 7,600 tons of CO2 emissions. At the same time the companies’ budgets are benefiting from savings of 1.2 million RMB (around 100,000 euros). Haubensak adds: "And, to ensure further improvements are made in environmental performance, an environmental management system, certified in line with ISO 14001, is also being introduced in the project."
 
According to the Arqum expert the existing environmental networks, and new ones that are being created, are a very good way for foreign technology suppliers to gain entry to the Chinese market: "In China the areas involved in environmental protection, such as energy supply, water supply and sewage, are largely state-regulated, so it can be of great benefit to international equipment and component suppliers, and service-providers to have already forged contacts with the local authorities through the networks." The networks are in general very closely associated with the Chinese authorities responsible for environmental protection, and with the chambers of foreign trade, who in turn have many years of experience and good contacts in China.
 
According to Haubensak, the managements of the industrial parks themselves play a key role in the 'Resource efficiency in Chinese industrial parks' project: "Many have very ambitious environmental goals of their own, which often they can only achieve with external help and the participation of the companies based in the park. Here this is a good chance, especially for German firms, because Germany enjoys very high regard in China for its technology and expertise in environmental protection."
 
IFAT CHINA has now also established a reputation as an international networking platform. At this environmental trade fair which is being organized in September 2008 for the third time, over 350 exhibitors will be presenting their products, system solutions and services in the area of water/sewage, waste treatment, recycling, measurement technology and air pollution control. The extensive Accompanying Program offers an opportunity to gain insights into the special situation on the Chinese market and to forge cooperation networks with important players. The experts from Arqum will of course also be there, presenting their experience with environmental networks in China and reporting on the opportunities for German environmental companies – during the 'Environmental Special' on Thursday, 25 September 2008.
 
Taking place in parallel with IFAT CHINA 2008 in Halls E4 and E5 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre is the fourth analytica China, International Trade Fair for Analysis, Biotechnology, Diagnostics, Laboratory Technology and Services.
For further information on this, go to: http://www.analyticachina.com
 
 
About IFAT CHINA
IFAT CHINA is a comprehensive trade fair for practical solutions in the areas of water supply, sewage treatment, waste disposal, recycling, air pollution control, environmental technology and more environmentally compatible energy sources in Asia. The trade fair is international in character and is accompanied by a supporting program for the trade. IFAT CHINA 2006 had 284 exhibitors from 25 countries and approx. 10,000 visitors from 66 countries. The 3rd International Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Refuse, Recycling and Natural Energy Sources is taking place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in China from 23 - 25 September 2008.
 
About Messe München International (MMI)
Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world’s leading trade-fair organizations with approximately 40 trade fairs for investment goods, consumer goods and new technologies. More than 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part each year in the trade fairs in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With five foreign affiliated companies in Europe and Asia as well as 66 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a global network.
 
Additional information is available at www.ifat-china.com
 
 
Contact person for the press
Sabine Wagner, Manager Communications, IFAT CHINA
Marketing & Communications, Capital Goods                                
Phone: +49 89 / 9 49-20246, Fax: +49 89 / 9 49-20249                                                     
E-mail: sabine.wagner@messe-muenchen.de

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