 Plant
Technology Ltd. was established in 1989 in the Innovation
Centre in University College, Dublin. It arose from
biotechnological research being conducted in the
Department of Horticulture by two of the company's
founders.
Extensive research has
been conducted into micropropagation and horticultural
systems. To date the company has experience of over 300
species of plants and has had many research breakthroughs
in growing technology.
In 1992 Plant Technology
Ltd. moved to a new facility in Wexford and is now the
largest tissue culture Company in Ireland.
The company exports 97%
of its production to markets including Europe, USA,
Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Plant Technology has
strong links with Universities and Research Institutes,
maintaining it as a leading edge Biotechnology Company.
Areas of
Business:
Micropropagation
Production
Production of high
quality micro-plants of:
- Pot plants
- Cut flowers
- Plantation of
Crops
Research,
Consultancy and Training
- Micropropagation
systems
- Horticultural
systems
- Plant Health
Technology Transfer
Establishment of
purpose built laboratories in developing areas
tailored to suit local market conditions for both
food and ornamental crops.
Micropropagation
Production
The Company produces
over 2.5m plants per annum in its 6,000 square foot
state-of-the-art laboratory in Wexford. These include
a range of tropical foliage and flowering indoor
plants, such as Calatheas, Streptocarpus and Gingers;
plantation and food crops such as potato and date
palm; and temperate outdoor ornamentals such as
Primula and Cordylines, in addition produces a range
of material on an exclusive contractual basis.
Research,
Consultancy and Training
Plant Technology is
involved in a number of Transnational, European
Union, funded research projects on plant and systems
improvement using genetic engineering technology.
Collaborative
research has been conducted with major Irish
Universities and Research Institutes. Currently the
company is involved in three project involving food
crops, ornamentals and micropropagation production
systems. Projects have also been undertaken with UK
colleges.
This allows the
company offer a wide range of research, consultancy
and training services including:
- Micropropagation
Systems:
- Tissue Culture
production systems are being developed for
two major seed breeding companies. Plant
Technology can offer this service to
organisations, both State and Private.
- Horticultural
Systems:
- Technological
and traditional techniques have been combined
to provide the optimum financial returns with
regard to local limitations and conditions.
Internationally experienced staff can provide
innovative growing solutions appropriate to
local needs.
- Plant Health:
Virus indexing and pathogen detection using
molecular probes, elisa and conventional
systems. We can offer this service as a
consequence of our co-operation with various
research institutes and universities. We can
also assist with stock cleaning and pathogen
elimination for tissue culture.
- Technology
Transfer: Plant Technology has experience in
the establishment of tissue culture
laboratories in Africa, the Middle East and
Central America. This can involve the supply
of tissue culture production stock,
production protocols, design of laboratories
and the provision of training and management
expertise.
Much of this work
can be assisted by ECIP and development bank
programmes.
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