€4m investment in cross-border R&D announced

Sixteen companies will receive up to €300,000 each to accelerate new product, process and service developments, it was announced today.

The funds, awarded through InterTradeIreland’s Innova R&D programme, will help the companies involved to form a strategic cross-border partnership to share knowledge and technical expertise.

InterTradeIreland chief executive Liam Nellis said: "Innova helps companies to work together to develop new products with demonstrable commercial potential and bring them to market faster than if they were working alone.

"Each application is technically, commercially and financially assessed by a team of experts and the competition is tough. Companies that have made it onto the programme should be very proud of their achievement and we look forward to releasing a further €7.6m later this year for other projects that make the grade.

"Indeed, we are currently taking expressions of interest from more companies looking to undertake cross-border R&D."

Two companies benefiting from Innova funding are information management company Central Solutions from Limerick and FM Environmental Ltd from Newry.

The two companies will partner in developing a turnkey IT solution for wastewater treatment compliance monitoring and management.

Commenting on the project Paul Conheady, CEO of Central Solutions said: "The investment in this R&D project is part of Central Solution's ongoing commitment to develop and deliver best in class data management solutions for new and existing clients in Ireland, the UK and beyond.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with a company of the calibre of FM Environmental and are very grateful to InterTradeIreland for its decision to co-fund the project."

Other successful partnerships include:

Central Solutions in Limerick and FM Environmental in Newry

Biosensia Ltd in Dublin and Marturion Ltd in Lisburn

Foamalite in Cavan and Colorite in Belfast

Monaghan Mushrooms and McDon Peat Supplies in Dungannon

EireComposites Teo in Galway and Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast

Vitalograph in Ennis and Maurturion in Lisburn

Impedens in Dublin and Intelesens in Belfast

Enzolve Technologies in Dublin and Randox in Crumlin