EAST HARTFORD, Conn., April 7, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC), led by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), is partnering with the
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to showcase the region's hydrogen and fuel cell capabilities at Hannover Messe 2016, the leading international trade show for industrial technology innovations. The event runs April 25-29 in Hannover, Germany.
This year, the United States will be the partner country for the show, which will draw 5,000 exhibitors from 70 countries.
President Barack Obama will join German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the fair's official opening ceremony on Sunday, April 24, and again on Monday, April 25 for the traditional opening tour of the fair.
Participants from the Northeast region's hydrogen and fuel cell industry will include Precision Combustion, Inc., Dexmet Corporation, US FuelCell, Advent Technologies, Giner Inc., Engineered Fibers Technology, LLC, Mott Corporation, and Novorocs Technologies, LLC. The event provides energy companies in the region with an exceptional venue for reaching the global market.
"This is a great opportunity for us to make new connections and expand our business to an international market," said Tony Anderson, director, marketing and business development, Precision Combustion, Inc. "Our experience at this show the last few years has been excellent. We are delighted to participate again this year when the U.S. is the partner country."
The exhibit is made possible in part with funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) , DECD, and NEESC. The Connecticut STEP program provides grants for eligible Connecticut small businesses to increase international sales and exports by spurring participation in export opportunities.
"Last year, the SBA surpassed our record for trade finance, supporting $3.3 billion in export sales. I believe we can do even more to help our small businesses reach the 95 percent of consumers who live outside our borders," said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. "Small businesses are increasingly engaging in the ever evolving global market place. Through our STEP awards, states can transform more small businesses to become exporters and expand their export sales. In the process, these small businesses will create jobs and strengthen their communities."
Nearly 60 percent of the U.S. companies participating in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Fair part of the show are from the Northeast region."The exhibit at Hannover Messe is the result of a strong collaboration between the SBA, NEESC, DECD and industry partners," stated Joel Rinebold, director, energy initiative, CCAT. "By exhibiting at this major international event, we are helping hydrogen and fuel cell companies reach new markets, increase revenues, and boost
the regional economy."
The Northeast is home to world leaders in the research, design, and manufacture of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The industry supply chain includes over 1,200 companies involved in the manufacture, development and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell products. In 2015, the hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain had a significant economic impact, contributing nearly $1.4 billion and more than 6,500 direct, indirect and induced jobs.
ABOUT NEESC
The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster is a network of industry, academic, government and non-governmental leaders working together to provide
energy storage solutions. The cluster is focused on the innovative development, production, promotion and deployment of hydrogen fuels and fuel cells to meet the
pressing demand for energy storage solutions. The cluster is based in New York, New Jersey, and the New England States, and is funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration's Innovative Economies Initiative. NEESC is administered by CCAT.
ABOUT CCAT
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., that creates bold, new approaches for designing and implementing applied technologies, IT strategies, STEM education, career development, and energy solutions. By leading state, regional, and national
partnerships, CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations to succeed. Learn more at ccat.us or follow CCAT on Twitter - @CCATInc