Strix launches 'HaloPure' in China's livestock farming sector

The AIM-traded firm said the HaloPure technology, acquired from HaloSource in March 2019, has an ability to both treat raw incoming water and maintain an ongoing sanitised environment throughout the water line, which was an ideal application for industries reliant on long distance water lines with significant bacteria contamination, such as livestock farming.

It said that in China alone, more than 15 billion poultry and pigs are farmed annually, with the total addressable market estimated at CNY 5bn, as Strix focussed on the higher end, automated farms worth about CNY 500m, which had been growing rapidly.

The company said the HaloPure filtration contains a porous, highly cross-linked polymeric brominated resin with a high surface area, which eliminates any microorganisms in the water and then releases hypobromous acid to maintain ongoing microbial control which, in turn, prevents pathogenic microorganisms from reproducing.

Current alternative solutions within livestock farming rely on an ultrafiltration membrane technology, the board said, which provides single use filtration, but no ongoing measure to control water microbial build up.

Strix said it had been conducting live testing in China for the last 12 months, with system enhancement and performance improvements due to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The board said it was “encouraged” by the results, with full commercial roll-out expected in the fourth quarter of the year.

“The board is delighted with the progress of the HaloPure technology following the successful integration of HaloSource assets into Strix which it purchased in March 2019,” said chief executive officer Mark Bartlett.

“The technology played a key role for the company's business during the height of the pandemic and now it is being adopted in numerous industries that require a water purification and disinfection solution.

“It offers a unique, real time solution of safe and effective disinfection of water to many industries.”

Bartlett said the livestock farming industry in China was “clearly a considerable market opportunity”, in addition to the healthcare and dentistry industries.

“The technology is well positioned to respond to an anticipated policy in the People’s Republic of China, which will require regulated water for use in all livestock farms, hospitals and clinics.

“Following the strategic expansion into new markets, Strix continues to focus its business beyond kettle controls and capturing the medium-term opportunities by entering into commercial agreements which will drive future profitability.

“We look forward to updating the market on the development of this technology as well as other new products in the coming months.”

At 1635 BST, shares in Strix Group were up 8.64% at 239p.