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Palintest is today celebrating being named as the winner of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s highest accolade for business success.

Gateshead-based Palintest received the award for International Trade in recognition of the company’s impressive record of export growth throughout the last 6 years. Over this period Palintest’s exports have more than doubled to now value over £7.5M, with two thirds of the company’s total revenue now coming from its growing markets abroad, such as in China, Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the USA.

Managing Director Dave Sidlow said:

“The Queens Award is a great honour for Palintest but no more than the dedicated and talented individuals who make up our team deserve. Every day Palintest is manufacturing products of the highest quality that compete successfully in demanding international markets and also contribute to the protection of lives and the environment. We are delighted and look forward to continuing our successful demonstration of all that is great about British enterprise.”

Palintest manufactures a range of advanced water and environmental testing equipment, and from its Tyneside base exports to over 100 countries across the globe. These products are used in a wide range of applications to protect the environment and safeguard public health, including disaster response, pollution monitoring and drinking water purification. In the past few years alone for example, equipment donated by Palintest has been used to help infrastructure development in Somalia, the aftermath of the Szechuan earthquake and monitor for harmful levels of fluoride for a dental outreach project in India.

Palintest today employs 100 people worldwide, with 86 being based at our main facility in Gateshead where all product development and manufacturing is carried out. Part of the successful Halma plc. since 1983, Palintest can trace its Tyneside roots back to the 1870s when Wilkinson & Simpson Ltd. set up to manufacture pharmaceutical products on Newgate Street in Newcastle. During the 1950s the eminent water chemist Dr Thomas Palin started working with Wilkinson & Simpson to manufacture a range of water testing chemicals. This became the sole focus of the business and it was re-named Palintest in 1989.

While the company has introduced many new and innovative technologies to the market over recent years, a lot of the core chemistry knowledge is still based around the work of Dr Palin over 50 years ago, which is still regarded as the world standard test for water disinfection. Palintest today is a successful and growing company with an on-going programme of investment in new products, advanced manufacturing facilities and, most importantly, development of our people. This programme has seen turnover grow from £7M to over £11M over the last 6 years with future growth prospects looking promising. As the demand for improved access to good quality water increases in developing markets such as China, Africa and the Middle East, Palintest is proving that British technology & quality is much sought after and more than capable of competing on a global stage.

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Palintest Ltd, the leader in water analysis, is delighted to support the Durham Wildlife Trust’s Living Waterways Project with its portable water chemistry analysis equipment. The project is an Environment Agency initiative that aims to find sustainable solutions to the problems caused by urban diffuse pollution in our local rivers.

Palintest Partners up with Durham Wildlife Trust for Living Waterways Environmental Monitoring Project

A major part of the project requires the analysis of water chemistry at a number of project sites. To facilitate this, Palintest Ltd has loaned a Macro 900 WQS to the Wildlife Trust, enabling project staff to carry out easy, accurate and reliable testing of key parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen and pH level. The company has also supplied a set of additional visual test kits for the project.

Living Waterways Project Officer, Michael Rogers, states that the data gathered in the field “is invaluable, as it provides a base from which all our work will be monitored in the future, to see and show the real difference we are making!”

Palintest Ltd has loaned a Macro 900 WQS to the Wildlife Trust for monitoring key water parameters

The study aims to help improve the ecological status of urban water bodies across the North East. This is done through wildlife habitat creation coupled with efforts to raise community awareness and interest in local streams and waterways. Reliable, accurate and easy-to-use on-site testing is crucial to the education process and on-going environmental upkeep.

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Palintest Ltd, the leader in water analysis technology, is delighted to announce the launch of the new Compact Turbimeter featuring QuadoptiX™ advanced testing technology.

New Compact Turbimeter from Palintest for Reliable Portable Turbidity Testing

Designed for the field professional to test turbidity in drinking water, wastewater and surface water, the Compact Turbimeter is built around the new QuadoptiX™ optical bench. This new technology effectively uses two independent turbidity measurement systems for dual validation, resulting in improved reliability and accuracy – especially for samples with mobile or settling matter.

The device features several operating modes, including continuous measurement, averaging and Suspended Solids. It can also test for a range of 0 – 1050 NTU, with results also available in other units. Results are logged and tagged with operator and site identity information, along with calibration data for good laboratory practice (GLP) compliance.

The meter is waterproof to IP67, conforms to the ISO 7027 standard, and comes supplied in a hard case including stable calibration standards, test tubes, silicone oil and other accessories to provide the user with a comprehensive field kit for turbidity measurement.

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Palintest Ltd, the leading name in water analysis products, is delighted to support the AMCHI Dental Outreach Project in India. The AMCHI project aims to provide primary dental care to remote communities in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Palintest has supplied free fluoride testing equipment to the AMCHI Dental Outreach Project

The project includes field testing of fluoride levels in local drinking water supplies, as high concentrations can cause dental fluorosis in children – resulting in permanent tooth damage, pain and discomfort. Palintest Ltd has donated the equipment and reagents that will enable volunteers to perform the necessary tests simply, accurately and reliably.

The AMCHI 2012 Project will use the Palintest equipment to help protect communities from dental fluorosis brought on by drinking water

The AMCHI 2012 project will provide initial primary dental care for villagers, as well as education regarding methods to limit exposure to high fluoride concentrations. The field testing equipment will be crucial to the education process and on-going prevention of the condition.

The AMCHI Dental Outreach Project 2012 is entirely funded by donation and donors can contribute via the www.justgiving.com/Amchi-dental-outreach page.

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London’s new state-of-the-art Aquatics Centre, one of the main venues for the upcoming events this summer, has recently purchased a Pooltest 25 Professional Plus photometer from Palintest to test the quality of their swimming pool water and make sure it really is a clean competition. The UK’s leading water analysis technology company, Palintest has a history of safeguarding water safety at previous major sporting events – including in Beijing four years ago, and Sydney before that.

Palintest's Pooltest 25 Professional Plus photometer is being used by the London Aquatics Centre during the events in the summer of 2012

This Palintest photometer is designed for full-range testing of a swimming pool’s water quality. The Aquatics Centre will use it to measure free residual chlorine, total residual chlorine, pH, alkalinity, hardness, ozone and other water quality parameters. Compared with similar products on the market, the Palintest Pooltest 25 Plus boasts significant technical advantages.

Palintest has more than 130 years’ history in the field of water testing and invented the international standard methodology for residual chlorine testing – the ‘DPD test’ or ‘Palin System’. Seamlessly integrating Palintest’s advanced chemical analysis technology with ergonomic design, the Pooltest 25 Plus features easy-to-use, rapid testing, in addition to high stability, compactness and portability. The IP67 ingress protection is especially useful for on-site testing, guarding against splashes, high-humidity environments and even full submersion.

Test data can be directly transferred to a computer or control system via a USB port. As well as conventional water testing functions, it also features automatic conversion of balanced water calculations, and will recommend ideal conditioning agent parameters, thus aiding swimming pool maintenance personnel. Palintest can also provide professional water quality analysis and treatment simulation software to be used with the Pooltest 25 Plus.

Located in the Olympic Park, the Aquatic Centre boasts impressive architecture, with its iconic concept coming from the fluid motion of water. Hosting swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and other events during London 2012, the National Aquatic Centre accommodates 2,500 spectators.

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Versatile Pooltest 6 checks parameters of both pool and potable water

Erlanger, KY (June 18, 2012) – Water analysis specialist Palintest has helped Carnival Cruise Lines maintain clean water conditions on board its ships with the Pooltest 6 photometer.

Palintest’s Pooltest 6 ensures water quality for Carnival Cruise Lines.

In 2011, a new requirement from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for a Vessel Sanitation Program prompted Carnival to find a way to keep a constant watch over onboard water conditions. With the amount and variety of water on a cruise ship, including pools and drinking water, Carnival required a versatile testing system able to provide quick results. In March 2012, the company purchased 19 Palintest Pooltest 6 photometers. Using the Pooltest 6, Carnival employees are able to conduct regular tests of pool and potable water to ensure its quality for crew and guests.

The handheld Pooltest 6 photometer has tests for alkalinity, bromine, chlorine, pH, calcium hardness and cyanuric acid. It uses multiple wavelength technology and narrow bandpass filters to ensure the high accuracy of its results. The Pooltest 6 also includes Palintest’s compact reagent packaging system, which offers extended shelf life and eliminates the need to replace reagents annually.

“The Pooltest 6 is a simple instrument to use,” said Carnival Cruise Line Fleet Sanitation Officer, Mario Hrsak. “The fact that it’s portable allows our technicians the opportunity to test water at various locations and receive instant and accurate results.”

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Nancy Hatley and Erin Post responsible for western and eastern regions

Erlanger, KY (April 4, 2012) – Water analysis expert Palintest has appointed Nancy Hatley and Erin Post as its new sales managers for the western and eastern US regions. Hatley and Post will be responsible for enhancing relationships with existing distributors by providing product training, sales information and technical knowledge. In addition, they will establish new distributors and markets for the Palintest product line of water testing equipment.

Nancy Hatley, Palintest Western Regional Sales Manager.

Hatley was most recently National Sales and Product Manager for Ecoglo Products Inc. (Buffalo, N.Y.). She is Kaizen Certified for industrial manufacturing and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Stephens College (Columbia, Mo.).

Erin Post, Palintest Eastern Regional Sales Manager.

Post joins Palintest from the American Red Cross, where she was Territory Aquatic Specialist. She is a certified pool/ spa operator with the National Swimming Pool Foundation, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Economics from the University of North Texas (Denton, Texas).

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Product verifies cleanliness of wash water for raw produce

Erlanger, KY (March 29, 2012) – Leading water analysis specialist Palintest USA helps ensure the quality and safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) produce for consumers with the Compact Chlorometer water testing device. SmartWash Solutions, a division of Taylor Fresh Foods, relies on the instrument to guarantee the cleanliness of water used to wash its produce.

The Palintest Compact Chlorometer helps Taylor Fresh Foods ensure the safety of its produce.

SmartWash Solutions uses a multi-stage reverse flow wash system to clean raw produce and eliminate bacterial cross contamination. The Compact Chlorometer verifies that the water used contains the appropriate chlorine levels required to destroy microorganisms.

Palintest’s Compact Chlorometer is a handheld instrument that uses photometric technology to analyze water samples for chlorine concentrations. Used in conjunction with the proven DPD testing method from Dr. Palin, it can conduct tests ranging from 0.01-5.0mg/l for Free and Total chlorine levels. The Compact Chlorometer produces quick, accurate results independent of user experience, while the instrument also provides an on-board memory of previous results.

After a comparison of similar products, SmartWash found the Chlorometer to be the most cost-effective and precise testing solution. “Palintest’s products have significantly helped SmartWash Solutions raise the bar on food safety in the fresh RTE food segment,” said SmartWash Solutions Business Development Analyst Sara Mohsin.

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Palintest Ltd, the leader in water analysis technology, is launching the new Macro 900 Water Quality System for multiparameter water quality monitoring. Designed to combine portable hi-tech functionality with excellent ergonomics in an easy-to-use package, the Macro 900 WQS is particularly well-suited for environmental surveys, aquaculture applications and wastewater and surface water monitoring.

New Macro 900 Water Quality Monitoring System from water analysis expert Palintest Ltd.

The Macro 900 Meter forms the core of the system. It is completely waterproof, battery-powered and includes three dimensional GPS positioning as standard, storing up to 1900 full data sets of results. The high-contrast LCD screen is backlit for use in low light environments and the rubberised function keys are designed for effective use even with wet or gloved hands.

The Macro 900 is for multiparameter water quality monitoring, well-suited for environmental surveys, aquaculture applications and wastewater and surface water monitoring.

A full range of Macro Accessory Probes allow the system to monitor a wide variety of parameters, including: pH, conductivity, TDS, turbidity, depth and both optical and galvanic Dissolved Oxygen (automatically compensated for atmospheric pressure and salinity). All Macro Accessory Probes are simple to maintain, manufactured in marine grade aluminium and only 48mm in diameter to ease use in narrow boreholes.

In addition to the Meter and Probes, the Macro 900 Water Quality System comes complete with a full range of accessories and consumables, including: extension cables for the Probes, flow cells, MacroLink software, calibration solutions and replacement probes/caps.

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The new COD 1000 Tubetest range from industry-leading water analysis company Palintest Ltd. uses the ISO 15705 (dichromate) method to analyse chemical oxygen demand in water samples for O2 concentrations of 0-1000mg/l. The new tests are compatible with the company’s existing 8000, 7500 and 7100 photometer models as well as the recently-released Palintest 9100 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer.

New COD 1000 Tubetest range from Palintest analyses Oxygen concentration in water from 0-1000mg/l

There are three variants available in the new range: Mercury Free, Low Mercury, and Mercury Formulation, according to what range needs to be tested. The accuracy and precision of the new COD 1000 Tubetest range is the same as for the other Palintest COD products, equivalent in mg/l of ±1%T at all concentrations. The methodology is compliant with ISO 150705:2002, specifying a sealed tube method based on Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st Edition, Section 5220 D.

COD tests are vital in testing both surface water and wastewater, especially in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. They are often also used to monitor waste water effluent from power plants, chemical manufacturing facilities, pulp and paper mills and potable water treatment centres. Within two hours, a test will indicate the amount of organic pollutants in the sample by measuring the presence of chemicals in the water that can be oxidised.

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