CASE STUDIES

• Capture Ltd
• ECO Heat Pumps
• Finisterre
• Go Jute
• Microgeneration
• NaturePaint
• Orecon
• SciArt Solutions
• Valcent Products (EU) Ltd
• Wow Wow Eco Design

REPORTS

Environmental Technology

Chris Bradford has no doubt that his Launceston-based business, Valcent, is the most exciting he's ever worked with. In a career that has spanned more than four decades and traversed the Americas, it was in North Cornwall that he found the ideal location to set down roots and establish the UK arm of a North American plant-technology enterprise.

Somerset-born Chris spent twelve years working as an independent consultant to the agriculture and food industry in North and South America before returning to the UK in the nineties to work as a business adviser. Then, in 2005, Sweetwater Capital Corp, a privately owned Canadian venture capital company, asked if he would set up a UK subsidiary for one of its clients - Valcent Products Inc.

"At the time I was heavily involved with the Buy Local Food campaign," says Chris, "but the opportunity to work with Valcent was too good to miss. We incorporated the UK subsidiary, Valcent Products (EU) Limited, in August 2006, and the past two years have certainly proved to be a challenging but highly rewarding experience."

Today the parent company is emerging as a key-player in the global development of algae-based biofuels, while the UK operation is using eco-technology developed at the company's research centre in El Paso, Texas, to create commercially viable growing systems aimed at meeting ever-increasing consumer demand for locally grown fresh foods. Valcent's cutting-edge Verticrop system can drastically reduce consumption of the planet's resources, boosting crop yields by up to 20 times while using up to 95 per cent less water.

"In times of escalating food prices, increasing pressure on water, land and energy and growing concerns over food miles, this is a system that cares for the environment and could also have a major impact on the pocket of everyone from the farmer through to the supermarket customer," says Chris. "It's attractive from the point of view of the grower wishing to maximize existing turnover, and also for consumers who aim to reduce their food miles by buying locally but are currently restricted by limited supply and retail cost." The system is close to being rolled out for UK trials and excited intense interest at the South West Regional Growers Show in July 2008, where it was highly commended by show judges.

Valcent recently launched another of its innovations, Tomorrow Garden, at Gardener's World Live. "It's an easy-to-use complete plant-growing kit, aimed at amateur gardeners of all ages and levels of expertise," Chris explains. The attractive package contains 'plantlets' micropropagated from tiny pieces of plant tissue in Valcent's Launceston laboratories. These are sealed in a gas-permeable plastic bag (allowing air to circulate without any contamination from outside) together with a nutrient gel, which feeds the plantlet as it develops its root system. The plantlets can live happily in the bags for up to six months, guaranteeing a long shelf-life in garden centres and gift-shops.

The kit comes complete with a re-useable bio-sphere dome and pot, and potting compost made from biodegradable coir. Virtually every component is sourced in the UK, with the coir imported by sea from a Sri-Lankan fair-trade co-operative.

"The range is expanding to include a number of interesting flower species, as well as culinary and medicinal herbs," says Chris. "We're also planning to develop rare endangered plant species, working closely with a number of like-minded organisations, locally, nationally and internationally." For the Christmas market, Valcent is offering two new species of carnivorous plant, Venus Fly Trap and Sundew, as well as two different types of Aloe and an Agave - the succulent plant from which tequila is made. Tomorrow's Garden kits are currently on sale at stockists including The Chelsea Gardener in London and Cornwall's Eden Project, with whom Valcent is discussing possible collaboration on future projects. 

Locating Valcent's UK base in Cornwall has proved a sound decision, Chris says. "We're in the company of many other businesses and organisations who share an underlying ethos to better our environment and who take a welcome interest in the products we're developing. It's also a great place to live, so we've had no problem attracting and recruiting a team committed to our goal."

Valcent currently employs 11 members of staff, including three plant science specialists and two horticultural technicians. Supporting Chris in his role as managing director are a sales & marketing manager and a production & technical services manager. "As production expands, we'll be recruiting more technicians to assist with project development," says Chris.

Cornwall Pure Business has worked closely with Valcent since it arrived in the county, setting up introductions with useful business links. "I felt that a vital part of our business plan, was to utilise local resources and services wherever possible." says Chris. "This has already paid dividends. We now have strong links with regional companies including Seed Brand Communications, who have played the leading role in designing the company's distinctive Tomorrow Garden packaging, The Marketing and PR Company in Launceston, who are creating a national launch platform for our products, and Parc Signs of St Austell, who helped develop our corporate and product logos."

"Our location in Launceston's Pennygillam Industrial Estate is ideal, with many neighbouring businesses providing us with essential support services. For Valcent, Cornwall has proved an excellent location for our long-term business strategy to not only flourish, but bear fruit."