CERES Power Holdings has won a national award.

The Horsham company is a developer of low cost fuel cells.

It has won the innovative product of the year award at the IChemE Global Awards 2017.

The awards, now in their 23rd year, are recognised as the world’s most prestigious chemical engineering awards.

They celebrate excellence, innovation and achievement in the chemical, process and biochemical industries.

Ceres Power was recognised for its innovative solid oxide fuel cell technology which enables efficient electrochemical electricity generation from readily available fuels including natural gas as well as future low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and biogas.

Ceres Power was chosen for this award over eight other shortlisted finalists, including representatives of the biotech, fire safety and recycling industries and was the only UK product to be shortlisted.

The awards attracted 140 entries from 21 countries.

Mark Selby, chief technical officer of Ceres Power, said: “The company has achieved dramatic improvements in the performance of its technology over the past five years, tripling both the power output.

“It is great to have this progress recognised.

“Decentralised energy generation offered by Ceres’ SteelCell technology is critical to meeting future energy needs as the centralised grid comes under increasing pressure.

“Ceres Power is establishing itself as a truly international technology business and we are working with global firms including Honda, Nissan and Cummins, to embed the SteelCell technology into power systems for homes and businesses as well as data centres and electric vehicles.”

The company is based in Viking House, Foundry Lane, Horsham.