Cleantech is a rather broad concept. The concept covers all disciplines that have an effect on our climate, our safety, environment and economic growth.
The sector is often divided into a number of different disciplines which all assist in modernizing the energy system, achieving the climate goals and, in general, building a sustainable society of resources. Cleantech is not just about high-tech solutions, but is mainly concerned with the conversion and optimization of existing systems in most industrial processes.
In the modernization and optimization processes, technology from the new and innovative applications, new advanced materials (nanotechnology) are applied and combined. The scope of the modernization process is beyond measure, making the cleantech highly attractive from investment point of view but also a high risk area characterized by a lot of opportunism.
New solutions in renewable energy and new technologies that are environmentally friendly and optimize existing processes are very interesting from an investment point of view. Investments in cleantech, where investments in renewable energy technology are taking a lead, have increased significantly and over a five year period growth has been stronger than the General Index.
The demand for technology within the cleantech is growing on a global basis. The pressure to get sustainable energy and environmental systems increases fast, regardless of cyclical fluctuations or attitudes in the climate debate. Development and interest has grown in recent years due to solid value of growth in the segment and hence yield good potential. International observers trust that, although it may take longer and require more capital, than development of the Internet for example, cleantech will be the next big thing.
(Source: Energimyndigheten, Merrill Lynch and Örhlings PricewaterhouseCoopers)