Celtic Renewables win at the Scottish Business Awards

Celtic Renewables is a University of Edinburgh spin-off company which is going places. The latest news is that it won the Best Emerging Business category at the much talked about Scottish Business Awards.

Celtic Renewables were awarded the accolade in an exceptional year during which they produced the world’s first samples of an advanced biofuel – biobutanol – from the production residues of the Scottish malt whisky industry, for which the company was also named the most innovative biotech startup in Europe at the Parliament in Brussels.

The Scottish Business Awards recognises excellence in Scottish business and celebrates those who are building, and leading, successful, growing and dynamic businesses in Scotland.  The Best Emerging Business Award honours Scotland’s best new and emerging businesses which are achieving success and have outstanding potential for growth.  Celtic Renewables were awarded the accolade for an exceptional year in which they produced the world’s first samples of an advanced biofuel – biobutanol – from the production residues of the Scottish malt whisky industry, for which the company was also named the most innovative biotech startup in Europe at the Parliament in Brussels.

The startup company was the recent recipient of a grant of £11 million from the Department for Transport which it will use to co-finance a commercial scale demonstration facility at Grangemouth.

Company founder and President, Professor Martin Tangney and CEO Mark Simmers were presented with the coveted award by Britain’s greatest ever Olympian, 6 times gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy.

Professor Tangney said: “It is an incredible honour for the company to be recognised with this prestigious award in the presence of so many exceptional people, such as Sir Chris, who have achieved so much in their lives.  We are determined to prove ourselves worthy recipients of the award and to bring our innovation in sustainability to a commercial reality.”