WTERT-Asia Founded in Nanjing

Chen Xiaoping, CEO of Everbright International, Unanimously Elected First Chair

15 May 2017, Hong Kong – The Waste-to-energy Research and Technology Council-Asia (WTERT-Asia) Inaugural Meeting was held in Nanjing from 26 to 28 April, 2017. Mr. Nickolas Themelis, Chair of WTERT-Global, and Mr. Cen Kefa, academician of China Academy of Engineering, among other elites in the waste-to-energy sector from 15 countries and regions around the world, gathered at the Everbright International's Nanjing Science and Technology Building to share insights on a number of topics including the development of waste-to-energy sector and the recovery of energy from solid waste in Asia Pacific. The inaugural meeting also witnessed the establishment of WTERT-Asia and Mr. Chen Xiaoping, CEO of China Everbright International Limited ("Everbright International"), was unanimously elected Chair of WTERT-Asia. Mr. Sreenivasa Rao, Vice President of Hitachi Zosen India Pvt. and Vice Chair of WTERT-India, and Prof. Yong Chil Seo, Professor at Yonsei University in Korea and Chair of WTERT-Korea, will serve as vice chairs.

Mr. Chen Xiaoping said, "We are honored to be a founding member of WTERT-Asia, which will seek to push for the advancement of waste-to-energy technology and management models in Asia Pacific. After more than 10 years of hard work, China has successfully established a processing model and a complete set of technical solutions to meet the local waste conditions in developing countries, which has established the country's technical competitive edge. At present, most Asia Pacific countries still rely on traditional landfills as the primary means of solid waste treatment, facing confusions on improving waste utilisation. Everbright International is willing to share its proven waste-to-energy technology and experience with others. The environment does not have borders, and neither should technology. China is ready to provide tailored waste-to-energy solutions for Asia Pacific countries and regions that are developing their local waste-to-energy sectors, and targets to create an open, cooperative and win-win environment for all within the sector."

The WTERT-Asia Inaugural Meeting was launched to provide a platform for communication and cooperation among Asia Pacific countries, and sought to nurture the long-term development of the waste-to-energy sector in Asia Pacific and countries along the One Belt and One Road route. Scholars, experts and professionals from countries including the U.S., Germany, Brazil, India and Thailand shared overviews of their local technological developments and management experience in the waste-to-energy sector, and explored key topics such as waste-to-energy technology, practical experience and opportunities in countries along the One Belt and One Road route.

Mr. Themelis delivered a speech that covered topics including the generation of solid waste across the globe, demands for waste-to-energy and the role played by universities and research institutes in this field. He said, "China's waste-to-energy technology and equipment are of the advanced global standards. As a leading player in China's waste-to-energy sector, Everbright International is widely recognised for the qualities of its project operation and the management, which are leading the sector globally."

Jointly founded by the Earth Engineering Center of Columbia University and the U.S. Energy Recovery Council in 2002, the WTERT has become a pioneering research institute specialised in waste recycling and waste-to-energy. The establishment of WTERT-Asia will have a significant impact on the sector. By identifying the best available technology for the treatment of solid waste around the world, especially drawing upon examples of waste-to-energy technology in China, and by making efforts on research, education and promotion, WTERT-Asia will endeavor to improve the waste utilisation, expand the influence of the waste-to-energy sector in Asia Pacific, and improve people's understanding of waste utilisation in the region.

Appendix: Members of Inaugural Committee of WTERT-Asia

Position	Member
Chair	Chen Xiaoping, CEO of Everbright International
Honorary Chair	Nickolas Themelis, Professor of Columbia University, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and Chair of WTERT-Global
Vice Chair, Industrial Relations	Sreenivasa Rao, Vice President of Hitachi Zosen India Pvt. and Vice Chair of WTERT-India
Vice Chair, Academic Relations	Yong Chil Seo, Professor of Yonsei University in Korea and Chair of WTERT-Korea
Secretary General	Dr. Hanwei Zhang, Technical Director of China Everbright Greentech Limited
Deputy Secretary General	Fan Mingzhi, Deputy Secretary General of China Association of Urban Environmental Sanitation
Chair, Technology Committee	Cen Kefa, Professor of Zhejiang University and Academician of China Academy of Engineering
Chair, Business Committee	Cai Shuguang, Deputy General Manager of Everbright International
Chair, Education and Training Committee	Prof. Li Xiaodong, Professor of Zhejiang University and Vice Chair of WTERT-China