Ávarp iðnaðar- og viðskiptaráðherra í Hörpu 30. júlí 2013 þar sem tilkynnt var um kaup kanadíska fyrirtækisins Methanex á hlut í íslenska eldsneytisfyrirtækinu Carbon Reycling International (CRI)

ATH: Talað orð gildir

Ladies and gentlemen,

As Minister of Industry and Energy (amongst other things) it is a pleasure for me to attend this event where we welcome the partnership between the company Methanex and Carbon Recycling International.

For the last few years we have witnessed the impressive growth and future plans of Carbon Recycling International with great interest, within the industrial park at Svartsengi.

The innovation and entrepreneurial spirit shown by Carbon Recycling is a good example of the future potential for industrial development in Iceland in general, with focus on new utilization of renewable energy.

Entrepreneurial companies are the key to finding new and innovative ways to maximize the value of our renewable energy resources.

It is my opinion that a healthy mix of domestic and foreign capital will be required to take full advantage of these opportunities.

Therefore we today welcome Methanex to Iceland and I am pleased that the company has decided to invest in the growth of Icelandic industry with Carbon Recycling International.

The development of new technology and industry based on renewable energy resources fits very well with the government's policy on sustainable growth, increased employment and diversification of our export industries.

A systematic reduction of the use of fossil fuel in the transport sector is one of the cornerstones of the future energy policy of Iceland. To this effect we have put a special focus on the blending of fossil fuel with alternative renewable fuel. In production of alternative renewable fuel Carbon Recycling International has been a pioneer in Iceland and we welcome the plans of the company to expand their operations in Iceland (in Reykjanes which also happens to be my constituency).

Earlier this year the Parliament adopted a legislation which requires the blending of fossil fuel with renewable fuel. This legislation received wide political support in the Parliament and is in line with recent development in other European countries.

The legislation is only the first step and this emphasis on utilization of domestic natural resources, to combat CO2 emissions from transport, is one of the cornerstones of the environmental policy of the government.

Today we now have several local sources of renewable fuels, including Vulcanol from Carbon Recycling International. The development of Carbon Recycling International has received world-wide attention in recent years and it is our aim that Iceland, blessed with it's renewable energy resources, can lead by example in the area of green growth and sustainability.

Companies such as Carbon Recycling International, with innovative technology based on local knowledge, are poised take advantage of opportunities globally.

A strong partnership between an entrepreneurial company like Carbon Recycling International and an established industrial leader such as Methanex is very welcomed and on behalf of the Icelandic Government I would, again, like to welcome Methanex very much into the Icelandic energy, innovation and industry sector.

We look forward to work with you on the exiting next steps in the field of renewable energy production within Carbon Recycling International.