The 2011 Global Cleantech 100 list features Kebony for its award-winning wood material – a product providing a global solution to the use of endangered tropical timber and toxic treated woods

Kebony was selected from thousands of entries and listed in the ‘Materials’ category against its achievements in innovation, market size and growth, and the resources to execute its technology. This Norwegian company uses a patented environmentally-friendly process of ‘Kebonization’ to permanently enhance wood properties – the result is a true alternative to the unsustainable use of tropical timber and environmentally damaging toxic treated woods used in the built environment.

Kebony’s wood material has a wide range of applications including decking, cladding, roofing, windows, indoor and outdoor furniture, yacht decking and other construction materials. Recent projects include four sustainable beach shelters at Bexhill, the company’s first UK residential project Hurst Avenue in Highgate, and the Yarmouth Harbour redevelopment - a pioneering sustainable marine development and the first UK harbour installation to use Kebony’s innovative decking material.

“It is a remarkable achievement to be featured for the second year running in the Global Cleantech Top 100 list. Our revolutionary technology provides an aesthetically pleasing eco-solution to the major environmental challenge of rain forest deforestation,” Christian Jebsen, CEO of Kebony.

Kebony has also been used in several boardwalk projects both in Norway and the United States. Bethany Beach (Delaware, United States) installed Kebony boardwalk a year ago and have plans to extend the Kebony walkway. Meanwhile, Kebony Maple decking has been used as a substitute for teak for a number of high-profile boats such as the Contessa 32, the Atlantis Verve and Elan, the Windy SR52 Blackbird, W40 Maestro boats.

Kebony’s award-winning credentials include the ‘fast 50 award’ from Deloitte, Global Cleantech Top 100 in 2010 and 2011, and a ‘top 25 creative European Company’ title. Kebony has also received the Nordic eco-label, the Swan, the Glass Bear for sustainable production and the Norwegian Blue Ocean Award. Other recent awards include the Exterior Wall Finishes category of Home Building and Renovating Product Excellence Awards and shortlists for the TTJ Achievement in Sustainability and Sustain Awards Product of the Year.

This year's Cleantech 100 received a record number of nominations, up over 2,000 on last year. The list, a three year-old joint venture between the Guardian and the Cleantech Group, is a snapshot of the most exciting, innovative and up-and-coming clean technology companies in the world.

Commenting on the cleantech list, Climate Minister Greg Barker says ‘The Guardian Cleantech 100 is an outstanding showcase for innovative companies that are driving our transition to a global low-carbon economy. These are the real success stories of companies growing and thriving in a tough economy. These are companies embracing change as part of their business model. Businesses that are pushing the boundaries of technology.’