Suffolk-based Flow Energy has been honoured at a ceremony recognising the UK’s most “disruptive” businesses – early-stage firms which are triggering change in their respective markets.

Flow Energy, which is based at the Felaw Maltings in Ipswich, is the company behind the Flow boiler, a gas-fired heating unit that also generates electricity, which chief executive Tony Stiff has termed as a “game-changing product.”

Now, Flow Energy has not only been named in the 2015 Everline Future 50 listing of young businesses making a big impression in their marketplace but has also picked up the Everline Future 50 Environment and Sustainability Award.

The members of this year’s list and the award winners were announced at a ceremony staged by Everline, part of SME lender Orange Money, at LSO St Luke’s in London, in conjunction with Real Business.

Although the listing is now it its fourth year, the awards – each recognising impact in a particular sector – are new this year.

Russell Gould, managing director at Everline, said: “The calibre of businesses on this year’s list is testament to the wealth of innovation and creativity in the UK at the moment.

“SMEs are the bedrock of the economy, so it is great to see so many celebrated and recognised for being disruptive in their designated fields. I hope this year’s winners inspire a new wave of businesses and I look forward to watching their developments in the months and years ahead.”

Amy Carroll, group editor at Real Business, said: “For the fourth year running we have identified 50 exciting and disruptive businesses that are all breaking new ground and transforming the sectors within which they operate.

“The six we awarded named prizes to this year are shining examples of the potential early-stage businesses in the UK have and the extent to which they can make a big difference to the economy. I wish them all every success for the future.”

Flow Energy’s boilers are being manufactured on its behalf by the American company Jabil at Livingston in Scotland, with the launch expected to lead to the creation of around 700 jobs over the next two years.

The company, which has a research and development site in Chester, bought the patent for the product from America about 10 years ago.

It developed the idea at a cost of about £60million, and in 2013, Westerfield-based Mr Stiff, who started out as the firm’s commercial director, set up a 100-strong sales operation from a standing start in Ipswich. He felt the town was the ideal base for the operation because of its strong energy sales sector and established skills base.