A life-saver tested (From Campaign Series)

A life-saver tested

7:20am Tuesday 25th March 2008

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AN INNOVATIVE product, which has helped to save thousands of lives and is distributed by a Caerphilly company was on show at Sophia Gardens last week.

LifeStraw allows clean water to be accessed anywhere in the world, with a range of applications from humanitarian to military in some of the world's most challenging terrains, and today it was amongst more than 60 Welsh innovations on show to scouts looking for the next big thing at the first ever Innovation into Action event at the National Cricket Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Lifestraw is a multi-award winning portable water purifier that effectively removes all bacteria and viruses responsible for diseases such as typhoid, cholera, bacillary dysentery and diarrhoea. It is being distributed by Caerphilly based RMB Security, and has already saved 10s of 1,000s of lives around the world, people who have little or no clean drinking water.

The version on show today has been specifically developed for the Military market to improve a soldier's operational capability and his personal well being. RMB Director Mark Parry said: "We have over 20 countries currently interested in taking the product, from Africa to the Middle East, and an event like Innovation into Action brings us more exposure to the home market, and raises awareness of the product's possibilities."

Innovation into Action was set up to give Welsh innovators the opportunity to show off their big ideas, develop new contacts and promote Welsh business to an audience of potential partners, including technology scouts and investors hungry for the next big thing.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said the event showcases some of the many exciting and innovative products and processes being developed in Wales.

He said: "Innovation is vital for business success and with Innovation into Action, we are gathering together the professionals who are able to turn new products, ideas and technologies into viable business propositions and are confident that effective collaborations will emerge from it."

To help ensure the event was relevant to the innovation needs of the market, it received support from an Advisory Board of senior professionals, including the Microsoft Corporation, Kodak, Procter & Gamble, the UK Intellectual Property Office and Boots Centre for Innovation.

To find out more, go to www.innovationintoaction.co.uk

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