ZeroPoint Clean Tech's Next Step Will Be Global Market

POTSDAM - A green energy business with roots in the village is going global.

ZeroPoint Clean Tech is shipping two of its biogas-producing units to Europe this month and is already in discussions with potential partners in Malaysia, India and South America, according to company founder and chief executive officer Jon P. Gaus.

"We've got European joint venture partners who are buying our technology and a network around the world," Mr. Gaus, of Potsdam, said. "It's new jobs in New York state, exporting technology from New York state and we've been able to do that in a down economy."

The company has about 15 employees working around the state, mainly in Tonawanda and in Potsdam, where ZeroPoint got its start and built its model. It plans to continue hiring, though Mr. Gaus could not provide any specifics. Three or four of those 15 company employees are here in Potsdam, according to President and Chief Operating Officer Charles G. Fox.

The company produces systems that convert renewable woody biomass - including wood chips and other agricultural wastes - into electricity and heat. The process takes the biomass and processes it into a synthesis gas, which can replace natural gas to produce electricity. The gassification process takes place in a closed-loop system so it does not create any emissions.

The two gasifiers will be sent to a bio-methanol plant in Germany.

The technology was developed at Clarkson University and the company received $1 million of its $11 million in investments from the Seaway Private Equity Corp.

""We're excited that research contributed by Clarkson University has grown into a product, created local jobs and economic development and is generating exports to global markets," SPEC and Clarkson President Anthony G. Collins said in a press release. "ZeroPoint's progress is an inspiration for other businesses looking to create jobs locally and compete globally."