Tim Bauer Named 2008 Rolex Laureate for Creating Two-Stroke Engine Retrofit Technology that Reduces Toxic Emissions, Provides Economic Benefits in Developing Countries FORT COLLINS, Colo., Nov. 18
FORT COLLINS, Colo., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Envirofit
International, a leader in creating sustainable, scalable business models to
solve global health and environmental problems, announced that Tim Bauer,
company co-founder and vice president of operations, will be honored as one of
ten winners of the prestigious 2008 Rolex Awards for Enterprise. For more than
30 years, the Rolex Awards have supported innovative projects benefiting
communities around the world. Mr. Bauer is being recognized for Envirofit's
breakthrough work creating a direct injection retrofit kit that reduces toxic
emissions and increases fuel-efficiency for dirty two-stroke powered vehicles
in developing countries.
Chosen from nearly 1,500 applicants in 127 countries by an independent
panel of scientists, educators, economists and other experts, Mr. Bauer is one
of five Rolex Laureates who was presented $100,000 in project support from
Rolex at the ceremony today held in Dubai -- the first ever Rolex Awards
ceremony held in the Middle East.
"On behalf of the entire team at Envirofit, I am honored to receive this
award from Rolex," said Bauer, a mechanical engineer and the youngest of the
five Rolex Laureates being honored. "Over 2.4 million people die each year
from air pollution-attributed illnesses. Our plan is to use the Rolex Award to
develop additional markets, thus increasing Envirofit's positive impact on
lives and the environment to the greatest extent."
Carbureted two-stroke engines are a major source of air pollution,
powering 100 million motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers in Southeast
Asia alone. Each of these carbureted two-stroke engines produces the pollution
output of approximately 50 modern automobiles, contributing the pollution-
equivalent of approximately five billion automobiles.
These engines represent one of the largest sources of vehicular emissions
in the world. Partnering with world-recognized Engines and Energy Conversion
Laboratory at Colorado State University, Envirofit developed a direct fuel
injection retrofit kit for two-stroke engines that reduces emissions by 70-90
percent while improving fuel efficiency 35-50 percent, saving over $700 per
year for those who depend on the vehicles for their livelihoods.
"The Rolex Awards for Enterprise enable the work of global pioneers who
are breaking new ground in their fields, and improving lives worldwide," said
Patrick Heininger, chief executive officer of Rolex. "We are proud to support
these truly original thinkers, and salute them for their ingenuity and
commitment of purpose."
Envirofit's commercial retrofits have already accumulated over 7 million
kilometers of field usage, conserving over 225,000 liters of fuel and over 510
tons of carbon to date. Through fuel/oil savings, the retrofit kits have also
enabled some of the poorest entrepreneurs in the world to increase their
incomes by over $300,000. Envirofit plans to expand the retrofit business
across SE Asia, with countries like Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka
representing the next potential markets. Envirofit is seeking additional
investors to develop new markets for its products.
About Envirofit International
Founded in 2003, Envirofit International is a US-based non-profit
organization that uses a sustainable, enterprise model to solve global health
and environmental problems. Envirofit develops and distributes technologies
that improve the lives of people in developing countries while reducing indoor
and outdoor air pollution. The company's first product is a direct-injection
retrofit kit for dirty, two-stroke engines. Envirofit licenses the core of the
direct injection system from Orbital Corporation. Envirofit also develops and
sells a line of clean cookstoves in developing countries that address the
global health crisis of indoor air pollution. Visit http://www.envirofit.org
or http://www.envirofitcookstoves.org for further information.
Orbital Corporation
Orbital Corporation has been developing the patented "OCP(TM)" (Orbital
Combustion Process) for over 20 years. Direct injection is a proven technology
commonly found on over 500,000 original equipment manufactured commercial and
recreational products. This system is used in a variety of commercial and
recreational market products. For more information on Orbital please visit
http://www.orbeng.com.au.
Rolex Philanthropy
Since its founding a century ago, Rolex has established a tradition
supporting individual excellence and achievement around the globe. Through its
two primary philanthropic programs, the Awards of Enterprise and the Mentor
and Protege Arts Initiative, Rolex fosters innovation in science, exploration,
conservation, and the arts worldwide. For more information about the Rolex
Awards for Enterprise, visit http://www.rolexawards.com.
About the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory at Colorado State
University
The Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory (EECL) is a unique
research/education program at Colorado State University with emphasis on
engines, fuels, and energy conversion technology. With a focus towards market-
driven solutions, products developed at the EECL -- in partnership with
industrial sponsors and multiple spin-off organizations -- have saved more
than 800,000 tons of nitrogen oxide pollution and more than 14 billion cubic
feet of natural gas.
Beginning in 2002, the EECL began a program of international technology
development primarily aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing the
environmental impact of transportation, electric power production, and
cooking/household energy in developing countries. Visit
http://www.eecl.colostate.edu for further information.
SOURCE Envirofit International
