Enerkem Named an Emerging Cleantech Leader in Canada

MONTREAL , Oct. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - Enerkem, a leading waste-to-biofuels technology company, was honored today as one of Corporate Knights 2009 Next 10 Emerging Cleantech Leaders. Vincent Chornet, Chief Executive Officer and President of Enerkem, joined the other Cleantech companies at today's Toronto Stock Exchange opening for the announcement of the winners.

The Cleantech Next 10 list features Canada's best privately held companies in the Cleantech sector. These leaders were chosen based on innovation of approach, clear business objectives, business problem solving, and potential for breaking through. The selection was made by an advisory panel of Canada's principal authorities on cleantech.

"Enerkem is grateful to have been recognized as one of this year's most promising Canadian cleantech companies," said Vincent Chornet, Chief Executive Officer and President, Enerkem. "It is extremely encouraging to be acknowledged for our innovative technology, our business approach and our clear goals for solving today's environmental and energy challenges. We are committed to helping communities and municipalities reach their goals by using non-recyclable waste as a resource to fuel our cars."

This is the third year Corporate Knights recognizes Cleantech companies in the industry. Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Canadian-based media company focused on prompting and reinforcing sustainable development in Canada .

About Enerkem

Enerkem (www.enerkem.com) is a leading waste-to-biofuels and green chemicals technology company. It has developed a unique gasification, sequential gas conditioning and catalysis technology platform, capable of using a mix of feedstock, such as sorted municipal solid waste, forest biomass and agricultural residues. The company is headquartered in Montreal , Quebec , and has engineering offices in Sherbrooke, Quebec . It has a pilot plant, in operation since 2003, in Sherbrooke, Quebec . Enerkem's first commercial-scale plant is based in Westbury, Quebec . The company is also involved in the development of a municipal waste-to-biofuels plant in Edmonton , Alberta, and recently announced the development of a second-generation biofuels production facility to be located in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Enerkem is a private company, financed by leading US venture capital firms Rho Ventures and Braemar Energy Ventures, the Canadian investment fund BDR Capital and the Company's management.

For further information: Marie-Hélène Labrie, Vice-President, Government Affairs and Communications, Enerkem, [phone] x231, [email protected]