Seventeen organisations, including two from the UK, have been chosen as finalists for the 2014 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE).

Following a two-day jury meeting in Rome, Italy, 24 judges whittled 152 submissions down to the top 17 that ‘successfully combine innovation, competitiveness and outstanding environmental performance’.

The awards are run every two years by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment to ‘recognise and reward European companies that stimulate economic growth by contributing to innovation and competitiveness, while also protecting the environment’. They comprise five categories: resource efficiency; product and services; process; management; international business cooperation; and business and biodiversity.

Submissions this year included entries from the healthcare, financial services, food and drink, packaging and automotive sectors.

Two of the finalists come from the UK: compostable packaging company Vegware, and Vegware customer and fish and chip shop The Bay Fish & Chips in Stonehaven, Scotland.

Speaking after the announcement, European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said: "The companies shortlisted for the European Business Awards for the Environment have a proven track record in combining business success and respect for the environment. They showcase real-world experience of the fruits of eco-innovation."

Eilidh Brunton, Vegware's Group Recycling Consultant, also commented, saying: "We are delighted that Vegware and our long-standing customer The Bay are representing the UK in the EU's environmental awards. Vegware exists because you can't recycle food with plastic on it, and you can't recycle plastic with food on it. Our certified compostable food packaging is the only solution for zero waste in food service, and we help clients divert from landfill with our Food Waste Network. Vegware has grown 919 per cent in the last 5 years, and is now active in five continents. Vegware's global growth is proof that sustainability is no longer a niche concern, but a key requirement for all mainstream businesses."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Lyon on 1 December 2014 at the Pollutec exhibition of environmental technologies in Lyon, France.

EBAE finalists

The shortlisted entries per category are as follows:

The Management Award for ‘outstanding strategic vision and management systems that enable continuous improvements in contributions to sustainable development’:

• WerroWool – Micro – Estonia Project Title: WerroWool Cellulose Fibre;
• University College Cork – Major Corporation – Ireland Project Title: The Green Campus Programme;
• Eczacibasi Yapi Gerecleri – Major Corporation – Turkey Project Title: Blue Life Integrated Sustainability Management System; and
• The Bay – SME – United Kingdom Project Title: The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven.

The Product and Services Award for companies that have developed a new product or related service that ‘makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development’:

• EcoNation – SME – Belgium Project Title: Lighten the Nation;
• PerfoTecBV – SME – Netherlands Project Title: PerfoTec; and
• Vegware – SME – United Kingdom Project Title: Vegware.

The Process Award for companies that have developed and applied a new production technology that ‘makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development’.

• Daimler AG – Major Corporation – Germany Project Title: CO2 reduction and lightweight construction for combustion engines;
• Paul Wurth SA – Major Corporation – Luxembourg Project Title: Dry Slag Granulation with Energy Recovery; and
• OCI Nitrogen – Major Corporation – Netherlands Project Title: COOL.

The International Business Cooperation Award for companies that ‘actively promote the sharing of knowledge and technology in international cross-sector partnerships, which contribute to sustainable growth in developing countries’.

• Umicore NV/SA – Major Corporation – Belgium Project Title: WorldLoop & Umicore: Closing the e-Waste Loop;
• AusDesign OU – Micro – Estonia Project Title: UpShirt;
• Interface Netherland BV – Major Corporation – Netherlands Project Title: Net-Works; and
• Techreturns – SME – Netherlands Project Title: Closing the Loop.

The Business and Biodiversity Award for companies that have demonstrated ‘outstanding achievements in halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems’.

• Andromede Oceanologie – Micro – France Project Title: Donia;
• SM2 Solutions Marine – Micro – France Project Title: "Graines de Mer"/"Sea Seeds"; and
• Red Electrica de Espana S.A.U. (REE) – Major Corporation – Spain Project Title: Birds and electricity transmission lines: mapping of flight paths.

Find out more about the 2014 European Business Awards for the Environment.