The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday announced 21 small businesses in 15 states are receiving funding from the EPA to develop and commercialize innovative, sustainable technologies to address current environmental issues.

The agency’s Small Business Innovation Research Program is providing $2 million in funds to advance these innovative products and research.

In Pennsylvania, Environmental Fuel Research, LLC in Philadelphia was awarded a grant for a project to turn grease trap waste into biofuels.

“A strong economy and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. With this funding we are providing opportunities for small companies to ultimately take their ideas and technology from the laboratory into the marketplace,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Their contributions strengthen the economy while fostering public health and environmental protection.”

Each year, EPA provides a solicitation and funding opportunity for small businesses in a competitive two phase process. In Phase I, small businesses can receive up to $100,000 for ”proof of concept” of their technology, and successful Phase I companies can apply to develop and commercialize their technology with Phase II funding totaling up to $300,000. The small businesses announced today are part of Phase I of the SBIR program.

Many of the SBIR recipient companies go on to leverage EPA’s funding to bring their designs to reality, expand business, and create products that help protect human health and the environment. Companies that previously won SBIR contracts include Faraday Technology Inc., which developed a non-carcinogenic chrome plating process, and Cambrian Innovation, which created the EcoVolt system that treats wastewater and generates energy in the process.

The solicitation for the next round of SBIR Phase I awards will open this month.

For more information, visit EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program webpage.

7/21/2014