TWO East Lancashire businesses are in the running for environmental awards.

Hilden Manufacturing Company Ltd in Oswaldtwistle and Scapa Scandia in Blackburn will find out on November 27 if they have been successful in the Mersey Basin Campaign's Business and the Environment Awards, which recognise firms which have reduced their impact on the environment while improving profitability.

Mersey Basin Business Foundation director John Millett said: "The awards aim to encourage and reward good environmental practice which is sustained by improved profitability.

"This reflects the thinking behind the Mersey Basin Campaign which sees economic benefits and environmental improvements going hand in hand." Both the East Lancashire companies are entered in the category for organisations with more than 250 employees.

Hilden Manufacturing set up an efficiency drive which led to savings of more than £80,000 a year in energy costs.

Energy use was monitored which led to reductions in vacuum pump and compressor running times. Lighting was controlled in low-occupancy areas and an old steam heating system replaced.

Scapa Scandia produces a treated felt used in the production of paper, but treating the felt involved the use of hazardous chemicals which resulted in atmospheric emissions and effluent.

The company developed techniques to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals and saved £16,500 a year on energy costs, process time and the cost of chemicals. They also improved their product performance, generating £466,000 in extra revenue.

Winning companies will be presented with the Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich - a traditional Highland drinking vessel - at the ceremony at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

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