University spin-off company opens new facility

University spin-off company Advanced Gel Technology Ltd (AGT) recently opened its new facility at the Listerhills Science Park, in Bradford.

Left to right: Chairman, Gordon Feather, Technical Manager, Ivan Waller, Director and Co-Developer, Nicholas Crowther, Director and Co-Developer, Donald Eagland, Office Manager, Janice Joyce, and Director, John F King.

The company has attracted both national and international interest since it first developed its unique, water-based hydrogel in 1997. The revolutionary water-based hydrogel has the ability to absorb virtually any liquid, such as hydrochloric acid or diesel, and is capable of supporting a variety of living cells and bacteria.

During the event, Chancellor of the University Baroness Lockwood, officially opened the facility and unveiled a plaque, followed by a response by the Chairman of AGT, Gordon Feather. Guests included partners, investors, suppliers and University staff, who were shown the range of applications demonstrated by video.

Dr Donald Eagland and Dr Nicholas Crowther initially developed the gel in the University's Department of Pharmacy. Both are long serving academics at the University and discovered the hydrogel in the course of their research.

Left to right: Dr Donald Eagland and Dr Nicholas Crowther.

Aware of its commercial potential, the University lodged a patent and set up the company Advanced Gel Technology in 1997. In September 2000 the company was properly incorporated, attracted investment funding, put in place a board of directors and began trading.

Subsequent investment has enabled the business to develop a range of products and target its solutions initially at the oil industry.

The company signed a major contract with Aqueolic, a Canadian oil service company, within days of gaining an international patent. AGT's gel formulations have already been used outside the laboratory for the first time for sealing watercourses in Canadian oil wells to prevent water penetration. AGT has been awarded a contract to develop the gel in five oil and gas wells to prove the concept. If successful the order book will quickly expand.

Chairman of AGT, Gordon Feather with Baroness Lockwood.

A perennial problem for the oil industry is the increasing amount of water present during the oil extraction process across the lifetime of a well and AGT has concentrated its developments in this area. AGT has proven its solution in the laboratory and has now commenced proving it in the field. Once successfully proven the company believes that this application of its novel technology will enable oil and gas wells to be more efficient and prolong their viable life.

Whilst still using the University's laboratory equipment and facilities, the company has moved its production on to the nearby Listerhills Science Park. Including directors, the business has seven full time employees, supported by two part-time directors and three consultants. With the anticipated success with its applications the staff numbers will grow accordingly. This is good news for Bradford.

Next >

N&V home | N&V May home | Welcome | Contents | Events | Comments | Corp Comms Home | Uni Home