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Green, but expensive

environment-technology is "nice to have but ugly to pay for', in the words of Peter Fritz, managing director of Preussag Noell, a German company which deals exclusively with green technology. His grouse reflects the sentiments of an increasing number of German producers who believe that the market for such products has been vastly exaggerated. German producers, pioneers in the field, maintain that export orders for their machines are difficult to come by. "Companies want German technology for Italian or British prices, " said Wolfgang Kuhnel, who keeps abreast of environmental technology at the German plant and machinery builders' association. Another reason is the slow demand from potential clients who have yet to bring about new standards on air pollution, waste disposal or water treatment in their regions.

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