Maltese company working in research, innovation puts new products on the market after public funding

A Maltese company which forms part of the Abertax Group of companies has introduced new products on the market following research which has been sustained by funding from the Malta Council for Science and Technology.

Altern Ltd has created new software, which was constructed locally, which provides the possibility of a person to design a lamp of his own choice. The software has been created under the Shapelamp project (www.shapelamp.com) and any person can create his or her own lamp in the shape he thinks of, just by adjusting the shape and size with his or her own fingers. The design is then converted into a product by the same company and is bought by the client.

Another project is one called Innovled which saw the development of locally manufactured LED lights specifically designed for the sports sector. Both the Shapelamp project and the Innovled project were assisted through funding from MCST. Both projects have been commercialised.

During a visit by the Minister for Research, Innovation and the Coordination of the Post-Covid-19 Strategy Dr Owen Bonnici at the offices of Abertax Group at the Mosta Techno Park, he witnessed the work done by the professionals working in the research and innovation wing of the Group. The companies specialise in accessories for batteries and other technological solutions and in all employ 180 people in Kordin, Mosta and even outside Malta. The Research and Development department is made up of 40 professions which create various innovations from time to time which then are commercialised both locally and abroad.

Dr Bonnici was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Group Professor Joe Cilia, Engineer George Schembri and the Chief Executive Engineer Malcolm Tabone. He was provided with an overview of the various research projects which are at different stages and, in some cases, have already been turned into prototypes for further testing and certications prior to being placed on the market. Some of the projects were undertaken hand in hand with the University of Malta.

Minister Bonnici lauded the Abertax Group as a model of how the Government wants to see Research and Innovation prosper and move forward. “In this case, research and innovation are the basis of the work of this group of companies which has created hundreds of jobs and careers along the years. At the same time the group has placed various products on the market which are very relevant locally and internationally,” he said.

Dr Bonnici explained that the Group has made various investments to expound its work and keep pushing forward this industrial sector.