I am pleased to introduce the first two publicly traded companies that will ultimately be included in a NP Stock Index. The Index will feature early stage, under-the-radar, companies with innovative proprietary clean technologies that unlike many hi-tech or retail businesses should enjoy growth during this challenging economic cycle. I believe these companies have the potential to produce large returns and of course also involve an elevated risk profile as emerging businesses.

Naturally Advanced Technologies $1.95 (NADVF) produces bio-clothing (hemp, organic cotton and bamboo) as a retail line and promotional wear with past clients including Starbucks and MCA and is developing CRAILAR, a proprietary biotech process that promises to create many new and exciting applications from industrial hemp. For instance, by transforming hemp fibers from course to soft, hemp has the potential to replace cotton as the fabric of choice because it virtually eliminates the need for cotton’s heavy use of water and pesticides which are an integral part of its growth cycle. Their first production plant is scheduled to open in January 09.
For more information visit http://www.naturallyadvanced.com

Startech Environmental $.68 (STHK) is an internationally recognized, award-winning clean tech manufacturer and distributor of its Plasma Converter System™, an innovative, proprietary plasma processing system. STHK is the winner of the Wall Street Journal’s Technology Innovation Award under their “Best and Brightest” category.

The PCS safely and economically destroys wastes, no matter how hazardous or lethal, and turns most into useful and valuable products. In doing so, the System protects the environment and helps to improve Public Health and Safety. The System achieves closed-loop elemental recycling to safely and irreversibly destroy Municipal Solid Waste, organics and inorganics, solids, liquids and gases, hazardous and non-hazardous waste, industrial by-products and also items such as “e-waste,” medical waste, chemical industry waste and other specialty wastes, while converting many of them into useful commodity products that can include metals and a synthesis-gas called Plasma Converted Gas (PCG) ™.

Among the many commercial uses for PCG, is its use to produce “Carbonless Power,” Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) fuels such as ethanol, synthetic diesel fuel and other higher alcohol “alternative” fuels. Hydrogen, for use and sale, can also be separated and recovered from the PCG synthesis gas mixture.

The Startech Plasma Converter is essentially a manufacturing system producing valuable commodity products from feedstock-materials that were previously regarded as wastes. Startech regards all wastes, hazardous and non-hazardous, as valuable renewable resources and as feedstocks.

Startech’s mission is to change the way the world views and employs discarded materials, what many would now call waste. The Company will achieve this mission by strategically marketing a series of products and services emanating from its core Plasma Converter � technology, resulting in saleable fossil fuel alternatives while creating a safer and healthier environment.

This paradigm shifting strategy, wherein waste becomes a desirable resource rather than an insurmountable problem, will be implemented through the use of Startech’s enhanced business model that provides for joint development projects, engineering services, and direct equipment sales with after-sales support and service.

The company recently reported sales bookings of $25 million, shareholder equity in excess of $4.4 million and cash on hand of $11.6 million. Management stated that the company has never been in better shape and expects a bright future. At the same time, their stock is available at the lowest price in two years. Perhaps that spells opportunity. Stay tuned. For further information, please visit http://www.startech.net

Israel’s Clean Energy Profit Trail

By Sam Hopkins | Thursday, August 28th, 2008

I’ve been tracking the flow of dollars and shekels into Israeli clean energy ventures for years now, looking for opportunities. This week, a multi-million dollar deal may have signaled the start of a profit chain reaction. Here’s how a few listed companies will benefit.

Israel Corp. is the New Jersey-sized country’s largest holding company, specializing in chemicals and fertilizers, but also diversified into energy, shipping, and transportation investments.

And as you know, companies from BP (NYSE:BP) to GE (NYSE:GE) are moving billions of bucks into renewable power and related technologies to get a leg up and out of the fossil fuel economy.

So it’s not surprising that in Israel, where I reported last year on a slew of start-ups in solar, desalination, cleantech and even algal fuel, the conglomerate Israel Corp is kicking off an investment spree.

HelioFocus, founded just a year ago in the Israeli town of Nes Tziona, got a more than $5 million shot in the arm this week from Israel Corp.’s renewable energy arm.

Israel Corp., for its part, has launched a division called IC Green Energy to spread money into lucrative renewable power ventures. As is the case with many Israeli start-ups, the science behind HelioFocus was incubated in the military’s high-tech training environment and in the Weizmann Institute of Science located in the country’s center.

These high-tech hotbeds led directly to the development of instant messaging, major biotech advances, and caused Intel to build its largest international R&D center just outside of Haifa in the north.

Perhaps most impressive, Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi is joining with national leaders in making Israel a pioneer in electric cars, with Project Better Place.

Israel Corporation Green Energy

So Major General (res.) Yom-Tov Samia is leading IC Green Energy by seeking out investment targets all around Israel’s booming green industry, tapping into Israel’s small-country, big-idea atmosphere…

Why is Samia going after HelioFocus? Well, in its short lifetime, HelioFocus has already made a name for itself by building systems that harness and convert concentrated solar power (CSP) into household electricity.

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That short time to success is explained by the important business minds leading HelioFocus. Co-founder Sasson Somekh previously served as a senior manager at Applied Materials, and Weizmann Institute Professor Jacob Karni says HelioFocus’s technology has been in the works on campus since 1990.

From potential biodiesel and ethanol heavyweights like Algatech to solar companies such as HelioFocus, Maj. Gen. Samia has loads of Israel Corp.’s loot to dispense, and a plethora of local engineers and scientists are eager to attract IC Green Energy’s money and credibility.

But it won’t just be Tel Aviv-listed Israel Corp. that profits as HelioFocus and other Israeli renewable energy firms grow.

Capstone Turbine Corporation (NASDAQ:CPST) leads the world in cleantech microturbine systems, and in late July Capstone and HelioFocus closed a deal for modified turbines that will run on concentrated solar energy.

Capstone has been a top gainer in the Alternative Energy Trader portfolio, as subscribers got in for just $1.50 a share. CPST is now trading at around $2.75 after rising as high as $4.32 this July, but AET readers are still sitting pretty.

As Capstone’s Executive Vice President Mark Gilbreth says of the HelioFocus partnership, “This combined system leverages existing Captone technology and continues to broaden the range of renewable fuels that are able to power our microturbines.”

With majority control now in the hands of Israel Corporation, more money should flow through HelioFocus to Capstone, and Capstone will benefit from the ongoing relationship with IC Green Energy.