WIREDGOV

Bug battling firm Byotrol, which researched and developed its revolutionary hygiene technology at STFC's Innovations Technology Centre (I-TAC), has worked with McBrides, Europe's leading provider of Private Label Household products, to launch a ground-breaking cleaning spray for Tesco.

Byotrol's patented technology, which is used in wipes, sprays and mousses to combat the spread of viruses and superbugs, including MRSA, is the main bacteria-killing ingredient in Tesco's own-brand multi-surface spray. In contrast to old technologies Byotrol contains no alcohol or bleach so is gentler on skin and the environment and is significantly longer lasting than traditional but harsher cleaning products currently on the market.

Manchester-based Byotrol relocated its entire R&D division from Germany to Daresbury's I-TAC in 2009 to develop and enhance its patented technology. It became the first of 21 companies to benefit from £3million of cutting edge technology and laboratory facilities available to small businesses at I-TAC.  Companies using I-TAC are also offered support from STFC's skilled research staff and can also access the wider opportunities and benefits of being located at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (DSIC), near Warrington, Cheshire.

Stephen Falder, the inventor of Byotrol, said: "Moving to the laboratory at Daresbury has given Byotrol access to an unrivalled range of equipment, specialists and networking opportunities from both across STFC and the Campus at Daresbury. This type of support was not available anywhere else. All of this has been aimed at achieving our ultimate goal of increasing our capacity to find a whole range of new and valuable uses for our technology.'

Dr Martin Morlidge, Manager at I-TAC, said "This is fantastic news for Byotrol and indeed for I-TAC. It is the aim of I-TAC to make it easier for companies to carry out the essential research they need to enable them to thrive in a competitive and increasingly global business environment.  Access to the facilities and the expertise available at I-TAC and across STFC can so often be a barrier to scientific innovation for small companies.  Byotrol have thrived in this unique environment and their growth shows the benefit of the facility we are offering here at I-TAC."

Notes to editors

Images of Stephen Falder in the Byotrol Laboratory at I-TAC are available on request.

Contact Information

• Wendy Ellison
  STFC Press Officer
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603 232
  Mob: +44 (0)7919 548 012

About Byotrol

Byotrol is a UK based company located in Manchester in the north of England. Formed in 2005 the company's purpose is to use the Byotrol technology to create easier, cleaner and safer lives for everyone. Our ambition is for Byotrol to become the world leaders in the provision of powerful, safe, residual action, anti microbial technology. In doing so we hope to become the Intel of the hygiene world.

Byotrol has created a global first in the world of hygiene; an alcohol-free hand wash that is more effective than the current NHS standard alcohol cleaner and is also Halal certified.