SWEDISH experts have their eye on businesses in York.

A group of six professors and 12 students from Lund University have been researching the "green" potential of York firms for their Masters programme.

It is part of a tour carried out in Yorkshire by the group which also includes Swedish-based academics from Turkey, Australia and Lithuania.

They have been interviewing businesses in the region to establish the potential growth of "sustainability" - jargon for ways of improving product quality through recycling and energy saving.

The research is being funded by the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics. They are also working with staff of Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency to whom they will eventually present their findings.

Alice Owen, head of sustainable development for Yorkshire Forward, welcomed the research. She said: "By learning from leaders in the field of industrial ecology, we can investigate and evaluate ways to incorporate new ideas and latest technologies into the region's business activities.

"If we are to secure the position of Yorkshire and Humber companies at the forefront in design and production for economic and environmental gain, we need to have access to the best available expertise.

"It is great that Lund University has recognised this region as the one where there is particular potential for future growth in environmental management."

Updated: 09:26 Tuesday, April 22, 2003