News from Portfolio Companies

20 March 2025 - SDI Group plc, the buy and build group, focused on companies which design and manufacture specialist lab equipment, industrial & scientific sensors and industrial & scientific products, provides an update on recent activities from within the Company's portfolio.

Industrial & Scientific Products

In January, static control technology specialists, Fraser Anti-Static Techniques ("Fraser") worked alongside long-term customer Serialetic, a manufacturer of adhesive labels in screen and digital printing, to develop a new system of static control in its facilities. By upgrading Serialetic's system, the Fraser team delivered higher ionising power without the need for a separate power unit, saving costs and energy consumption. The installation took place without interrupting day-to-day operations, allowing Serialetic to continue the manufacture of its adhesive labels without any costly downtime.

In February, Applied Thermal Control, designers and manufacturers of high-precision recirculating chillers, introduced several new products, including the launch of new low-GWP chiller ranges consisting of the MG-Series and G-Series (both using R290), and the H-Series (using R454c). These products respond to evolving refrigerant regulations and deliver high cooling performance while maintaining the highest environmental standards.

Industrial & Scientific Sensors

In February, Chell Instruments ("Chell"), world-leaders in gas measurement and control solutions, donated one of its market-leading pressure scanners to the University of Sheffield as part of a collaboration to support vehicle development for the 2025 Formula Student competition. The University of Sheffield Formula Racing team will gather aerodynamics insights during on-track testing at the Silverstone National Race Circuit, providing the team with the opportunity to test and validate its vehicle design.

Alongside this, Chell continued to develop its miniature and industrial pressure scanners for the global wind tunnel and turbo machinery markets. In a newly invigorated market, these are now under evaluation at major wind tunnels in Europe and NASA in the US and aircraft engine manufacturers throughout Europe.

Chell's technology already plays a crucial role in aerodynamic testing for top Formula 1 racing teams, enabling engineers to analyse vehicle properties, refine performance, reduce drag and increase down force. The Chell team continue to develop this product range in collaboration with many of the teams as they head toward the competition's significant rule change in 2026.

Lab Equipment

In February, Monmouth Scientific ("Monmouth"), a UK market leader in clean air solutions, and Safelab, Systems ("Safelab") designers and manufacturers of high quality fume cupboards, partnered to deliver a dual fume cupboard to Green Fuels Research ("GFR"), a business focused on the development of advanced biofuels from low-cost bio-renewable feedstocks. GFR will utilise the additional fume cupboards to meet growing demand for solvent extraction and biofuel experimentation. The combination of Safelab and Monmouth technologies has provided safer solvent handling for GFR's research facilities, higher chemical resistance due to high-performing ventilation, and a fire protection system. Additionally, the new systems have optimised operations, combining ducted and ductless fume cupboards, and enabling GFR's lab staff to progress research projects more efficiently.

Also in February, LTE Scientific ("LTE"), a leading European manufacturer and supplier of laboratory and medical equipment, was once again awarded a place on the NHS Supply Chain's Decontamination Capital Equipment & Associated Accessories framework, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in supplying high-quality decontamination solutions across the UK healthcare sector. Effective for an initial 24 months, up to a total of 48 months, this framework allows LTE to continue providing essential decontamination capital equipment to organisations purchasing through NHS Supply Chain. For the first time, this framework also includes the provision of pathology autoclaves, which LTE can also provide.

Stephen Brown, Chief Executive Officer of SDI Group, said:

"These are just some of the ongoing activities within our portfolio of entrepreneurial technology and engineering businesses and are a great demonstration of how their products are enabling efficiency and sustainability across science, healthcare, and industry.

Customer-focused product development remains central to the ongoing success of many of our portfolio businesses, and the momentum in R&D since the start of the year is extremely pleasing. Collaboration within the divisions is a key part of our organic growth strategy, and Safelab's work with Monmouth shows the value they can add together. Chell's collaboration with a world-leading university is also a great example of how we are encouraging tier-one partnerships across the businesses."