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SAVING ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

01/10/2003

"We are delighted to support a project which has the potential to do so much to help the environment, reducing the leakage of harmful gases and reducing waste."

The "Gaslok" created by AB Technology Cambridge Ltd is expected to bring considerable cost savings to supermarkets, food manufacturers, restaurants and hotels, as well as helping to protect the environment.

Gaslok was invented by AB Technology's Chairman David Peall, who has worked in the refrigeration industry since 1962. Since beginning research into Gaslok seven years ago, he has been working with wife Jackie to exploit its potential.

He said: "Refrigerant leakage is a major problem. Some of the gases can deplete the ozone and contribute to global warming. I was determined there must be a way to solve it.

"Gaslok provides a non-invasive retrofittable solution and at the same time, brings real financial benefits to businesses by slashing their energy costs. Getting the NESTA investment is an enormous boost for us."

The Huntingdon-based company is now looking for a further £350,000 to take the product through to market launch and commercialisation. With that funding in place, David plans to launch Gaslok in spring 2004.

There is potentially a huge international market. In the USA, around half of all power consumption is used for refrigeration and air conditioning - with an estimated 70% of all refrigerant production going to top up leakages.

Furthermore, the States is cracking down on companies leaking gas into the environment. Two American companies were recently fined a total of $8.75M for refrigerant-based emission violations.

Mark White, NESTA Invention and Innovation Director, said: "We are delighted to support a project which has the potential to do so much to help the environment, reducing the leakage of harmful gases and reducing waste."