Collaborative project scores international orders

A local technology firm and a Crown research institute have teamed up to manufacture a device that reduces labour and improves accuracy in soil hydrology tests.

The Equi-pF device is produced by Christchurch company Streat Instruments, which designs and manufactures moisture management solutions for a wide range of applications – from textiles to food processing industries; to agriculture and sports fields. There has been considerable interest in Equi-pF from all over the world and Equi-pF units have recently been sold to laboratories in China and Scotland.

Equi-pF automates the tedious and often error-prone manual procedure for testing soil samples and plotting soil moisture release curves – the fundamental descriptor of soil water movement and storage. As well as releasing laboratory staff from a repetitive task, its results are more accurate than manual tests.

Equi-pF was invented by Landcare Research scientist Dr Jagath Ekanayake.

Streat Instruments Managing Director Jim Herbison says he is pleased to add the new product from Landcare Research to the company’s range.

“Equi-pF has synergy with some of our existing products, fits well with our capabilities, and opens up exciting new markets for us.”

“The project is a true collaboration. Our expertise in research and development, manufacture and product commercialisation has brought a concept from a local research organisation to market. Technology New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provided assistance which made the collaboration possible. Without this support the project would not have got off the ground.”

ENDS

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