Eden’s wholly owned US subsidiary, Hythane Company, won the 2006 CSIA Apex award for Best Use of Technology for a Global Impact.

The award, now in its sixth year and sponsored by Colorado’s Technology Association, is one of the largest annual technology award events in the United States.

Denver-based event organisers bestowed the honour on Eden for its efforts to reduce air pollution through the development of Hythane, a patented fuel blend of natural gas and hydrogen that can reduce vehicle emissions by half over conventional compressed natural gas.

The company says the fuel could be used in public transport and other applications where CNG is currently used.

Perth-based Eden joined the ASX this week after raising $A8.4 million to further develop its suite of assets including hydrogen fuel and cryogenic technologies, coal seam methane interests in the United Kingdom and petroleum and geothermal exploration interests in South Australia.

The award recognised Hythane Company’s aim of bridging the gap between the fossil-fuelled present and the hydrogen future, Eden chairman Greg Solomon said.

“Hythane fuel is gradually introducing hydrogen into energy consumption which will lead to further adoption globally of this clean-burning fuel,” Solomon said.

“In addition to cutting vehicular emissions, it is also economically viable without relying on government grants and subsidies.”

Hythane has already demonstrated its global impact, with Eden subsidiary Brehon Energy being a signatory to memoranda of understanding aimed at converting thousands of buses in five Chinese cities to operate on Hythane to ease China’s air pollution crisis.

A similar MoU signed in the US aims to create energy stations in the city of Barstow, California, which would supply hydrogen, natural gas and Hythane. Barstow is also looking to convert its municipal fleets to Hythane to meet strict emission standards.