BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA—The Novotel hotel group has entered into an agreement with Green Globe, a leading benchmarking and certification program for the tourism and hospitality industry, to achieve worldwide certification of the network’s 400 hotels across 61 countries, including the 22 Novotel hotels and resorts in Australia, and five in New Zealand. The Green Globe program is managed by Brisbane-based EC3 Global, the commercialization and adaptation division of the Sustainable Tourism Co-Operative Research Centre, whose research program is overseen by 17 of Australia’s leading universities. Green Globe is the only international benchmarking and certification program based on Agenda 21 principles. It provides...

AMES, IOWA—Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. has expanded its sustainability product offering to include the industry leading educational touchscreen kiosk software, GreenTouchscreen, developed by Quality Attributes Software, Inc. (QAS). Siemens selected QAS technology so that it could offer its customers a powerful but accessible interface that displays energy consumption data and real-time interactive analysis. By presenting live building energy consumption data on the GreenTouchscreen kiosk in the foyer of the building, Siemens can reveal “hidden” energy conservation measures to building occupants. As people become aware of the energy they use and better educated as to its environmental impact, they just might...

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Travel International, a leading nonprofit organization committed to sustainable tourism development, has introduced upgrades to the first travel-related carbon footprint calculator, complimenting a globally recognized carbon offset portfolio. “The various ways in which we can offset carbon footprints have evolved since we first introduced the calculator three years ago,” said STI president Brian Mullis. “These upgrades give consumers more flexibility in how they offset the footprint they just calculated and businesses more customized options in the calculators they feature on their own websites.” The calculator has always included options to measure the carbon footprint of air travel, car travel,...

MANITOWOC, WISC.—The Manitowoc Company, Inc. announced that agreement has been reached on the terms of a recommended acquisition of Enodis plc in a transaction valued at approximately $2.1 billion, including the assumption of Enodis’ net debt (approximately $207 million as of September 29, 2007). The transaction, which was unanimously approved by both companies’ Boards of Directors, provides for a cash payment of 258 pence per Enodis share. In addition, in advance of the closing of the transaction, Enodis will pay a dividend of 2 pence per Enodis share in lieu of an interim dividend in respect of the financial year...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Aquawing Ozone Injection Systems (AWOIS) as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. AWOIS’ patented Aqua-Fusion System provides energy and water savings along with an increase in wash quality. Patent pending variable ozone allows the Aqua-Fusion ozone laundry system to customize the amounts of ozone delivered to each washer. More heavily soiled laundry receives more ozone and lighter loads receive reduced amounts for maximum cleaning and saving effects. AWOIS’ Aqua-Fusion System reduces hot water usage, shortens wash cycles, increases linen quality while reducing linen replacement costs, and provides...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—Universal Lighting Technologies announces the latest in high efficiency wireless controllable lighting systems with the release of the DEMANDflex ballast family and DCL (Demand Control Lighting) controls. DEMANDflex ballasts feature an innovative wireless control technology to receive commands without the need for extra control wires. These ballasts have the flexibility to have power levels tuned during installation at the circuit level to optimize and maximize energy savings. Together, DEMANDflex ballasts and DCL controls represent one of the most cost-effective lighting systems available today. DCL controls allow for local control with energy management systems and external control via the...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality announced that it is now offering EO (Essential Oils) Amenities and AVIVA dispensers to the hospitality industry. These new products fit into Pineapple Hospitality’s mission to promote products and programs designed to promote sustainability of both the environment and hospitality companies’ bottom lines. Not coincidentally, while both of these product lines can be purchased separately, they can most effectively be used together to eliminate the waste that comes from thousands of barely-used plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, and bars of soap that guests often don’t completely use and end up becoming landfill at tremendous...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. announced the publication of its 2007 Sustainability Report, which details the corporation’s efforts in the areas of economic progress, environmental stewardship and social responsibility; and provides data on related activities for 2007. “Sustainability is a critical part of our business at Ecolab, from new product development to the efficiency of our daily operations and those of our customers,” says Dr. Bruce Cords, vice president of Environment, Food Safety and Public Health. Highlights of the report include: • Continued advancements in the sustainability of products and services. From solid formulations to innovative packaging and dispensing methods, Ecolab is a leader...

LAGRANGE, OHIO—West Development Group (WDG), a leader in sustainable roofing products and practices, introduces solvent-free R2R silicone, a key component of the company’s System 14 Total Silicone Roof System. WDG’s System 14 features zero VOC coatings (HSS 535 and HSS 540 R2R) that are applied over a soy-based Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF), creating a moisture-resistant seal that is both durable and flexible for any commercial roofing situation. WDG’s exclusive R2R process positions the company as the only roof system manufacturer to use recycled EPDM material to strengthen and enhance the physical properties of its silicone topcoat (HSS 540 R2R) for...

PLYMOUTH, MINN.—The new Razor 20 and 20T walk-behind scrubbers from Kent offer ECO System solution control and a choice of two pad pressure settings—features that lead to maximum cleaning performance and productivity. The ECO System precisely controls solution flow to deliver more than a full hour of cleaning on a single tank. The result is fewer dump and refill cycles, which lowers costs for labor, water, wastewater and detergent. Depending upon the soil level, operators can easily switch between the light-duty “float” setting for extended run time and the heavy-duty “locked” position for tackling heavier soil. “The Razor...