East Anglia-based O.C.O Technology has been honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development 2024.
The carbon capture specialist, which has operations at Wretham in Norfolk and Brandon in Suffolk, was one of 252 organisations recognised nationally.
The highly sought-after accolade is only awarded to outstanding UK businesses.
O.C.O Technology’s Chief Executive Officer Steve Greig, said: “We are hugely proud to be awarded such a prestigious honour, cementing our reputation as the clear UK market leader in carbon mineralisation.
“Our patented technology offers real sustainable solutions in helping the Energy from Waste (EfW) industry manage the disposal of waste materials, turning them into carbon negative manufactured limestone aggregate which is in high demand from the construction sector.
“To have our hard work acknowledged at the highest level is incredibly rewarding and we look forward to flying the flag for British success and the circular economy as we continue to develop our partnerships on the world stage.”
O.C.O Technology’s pioneering Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) treats Air Pollution Control residues (APCr), predominantly from Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities, with carbon dioxide gas.
The process transforms it into an artificial aggregate which, because more CO2 is permanently captured than is used in the manufacturing process, is recognised as the world’s first carbon negative aggregate.
Headquartered at Brandon, the company recently invested an initial £10 million in a new manufacturing facility at Wretham, Norfolk, which opened in autumn 2023 and brought over 20 new jobs to the area.
Since then, the green light has been given for a further £5m expansion programme, which will see a third production line added – enabling the Wretham facility to process up to 100,000 tonnes of residues per annum and produce around 250,000 tonnes of artificial aggregate annually for the local construction industry.
O.C.O Technology has a £30 million turnover and currently employs 120 people across the country, with other operations in Avonmouth and Leeds. It is currently working in partnership with organisations in Australia, Japan and Europe and also looking at future opportunities in North America and further across Asia.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
O.C.O was commended for adding value to stakeholders’ environmental performance through carbon reductions and waste avoided, and its research and development programme highlighted for fostering innovation in new product applications, such as asphalt and concrete.
The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
More information at Kings Awards for Enterprise.
