- Cleantech industry can withstand crisis and create growth
- The Danish cleantech industry’s future growth is in the hands of small and medium sized companies. However, according to the first mapping of the East Danish cleantech industry comprising 522 cleantech companies, especially factors such as lack of talent, access to research, public investment levels and access to test and demonstration facilities restrict opportunities.
"The study shows that there is a huge potential hidden in small and medium enterprises: There are many of them, they have the right products, they are quick to adapt, and they act on new ideas. But unfortunately, they lack better framework conditions to really unfold and show their real potential. In particular, access to talent poses a problem, but this is not an isolated Danish issue. A number of Western countries call for talent, and in this regard, smaller and medium sized Danish companies must join the global competition, but unfortunately there are countries that can offer better conditions than us," Head of Secretariat of Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster, Nicolai Sederberg Rotbøll, explains.
Companies have a responsibility
28 percent of the 522 companies desire better framework
conditions. Experience from other countries shows that access to
public research to a large extent support the development of
private companies. Therefore, a solution could be that the multiple
results from public research units are made available for
businesses free of charge, just like targeted education programmes
- for example in smart grid - are offered at universities.
"But we must also look inwards and not just stand on the sideline.
Much of the responsibility for the development within the cleantech
sector lies with the companies themselves. We need the right
framework conditions, but it is equally important that we as actors
take responsibility. That is one of the purposes of Copenhagen
Cleantech Cluster. We shall help to support the relationship
between the actors and assist them in bringing together their many
strong competencies", Nicolai Sederberg Rotbøll says.
Test and demonstration on top of the list
These are some of the results from the first benchmark study of
the East Danish cleantech industry's 522 companies where 42 percent
also would like better access to test and demonstration facilities.
Without better conditions it will be difficult to demonstrate the
qualities of new products to potential customers.
"The public sector plays a large role in regards to tests and
demonstrations. Municipalities, regions, and the government could
act more decisively by investing more quickly in new, but proven
technology. The first sale is incredibly important in relation to
prove oneself to new customers. For instance, when the City of
Copenhagen from 2011 let their purchase policy follow their climate
targets by only buying electric vehicles instead of cars that run
on fossil fuels, then the municipality helps to develop a Danish
business area, while at the same time fulfilling their own
objectives. Municipalities could for example also use solar energy
and fuels when renovating schools, giving companies a place to show
new customers how the technology works in practice", Nicolai
Sederberg Rotbøll explains.
