It's an event showcasing the continued growth and strength of the Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) sector, despite the current economic trend.

Organised by the UK Centre for Environmental and Economic Development, E5xpo featured more than 70 exhibitors of emerging environmental technologies.

Products included energy and resource-efficient building materials, bio-fuel and electric vehicles, wind turbines and water pumps, through to ethical print and design.

There were more than 27 speakers, who delivered seminars on a range of topics, from emerging low-carbon technologies to exporting environmental business, and low-carbon developments.

Economic downturn has had a significant impact on the growth of businesses throughout sectors in the UK economy.

The East of England is home to the largest cluster of businesses within the EGS sector which, despite the current economic pressures, is still displaying growth and bucking the current recessionary trend.

The East of England, and in particular Peterborough, is fast becoming the UK's centre of excellence for cleantech and environmental business, and is well supported by the East of England Development Agency, the regional development agency, Business Link and initiatives such as EnviroCluster and Environment East.

intelligence director at the Centre for Sustainable Engineering Phil Sheppard commented that "E5xpo 2008 was like being at the confluence of several rivers; it was the place to be for environment sector businesses and organisations. We met people we probably wouldn't otherwise have found who we can do business with."

director of Alpheco Neil Winship said: "The stand served as an excellent venue for meeting with and putting the case for combined heat and composting to Rolton Group, Renewables East and to members of the Governments Renewables Advisory Board.

"I outlined our Alpheco challenge to the widespread assumption in UK , which those three evidently share, that AD is the best technology for treating food wastes."

The E5xpo was seen to be a resounding success, providing networking and collaboration opportunities for a whole wealth of organisations.

The support gained from this year's event has given organisers the confidence for an even bigger and more spectacular E5xpo in 2009.