Clym Environmental Services, LLC has been awarded the Life Sciences Innovation of the Year at the Maryland Tech Council's 2026 ICON Awards, as the company prepares to open its new 10,000-square-foot facility in Frostburg, Maryland this August. The award, presented at the 38th Annual Industry Awards Celebration, recognizes Clym's proprietary ozone technology that treats regulated byproducts from life sciences and patient care activities. Unlike conventional thermal treatment, Clym's process uses ozone generated from ambient air and powered by solar energy, preserving plastics and other materials for reuse and diverting them from landfills.
Kelly Schulz, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, said in a statement that the 2026 ICON Award winners represent the best of Maryland's innovation economy, highlighting their role in developing groundbreaking technologies and advancing healthcare solutions. The Frostburg facility, located in the Frostburg Industrial Park in Allegany County, is built around Clym's solar-powered ozone technology. The company says the process avoids greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional thermal treatment. The facility is expected to create new green jobs, adding to Clym's existing 32 Maryland employees.
"This facility reflects where our industry needs to go," said Clym's president, Charles Watts. "We're working to demonstrate that environmental responsibility, innovation, and economic growth can coexist. Western Maryland is the right place to bring that vision to life." The ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for August 2026, marking the official launch of the site and the next phase in Clym's East Coast expansion. Clym also serves as co-chair of the Maryland Tech Council's Rural Technology Network steering committee for Western Maryland.
The award and facility opening underscore a growing trend toward sustainable waste management in the life sciences sector. Clym's technology addresses two critical challenges: reducing the carbon footprint of waste treatment and diverting materials from landfills. As regulations tighten and environmental concerns mount, innovations like Clym's ozone-based process could become increasingly important for healthcare and life sciences companies seeking to meet sustainability goals.
Founded in 1998, Clym Environmental Services provides regulated waste management and compliance solutions across the eastern and midwestern United States. More information is available at clymenvironmental.com.
