International Pheromone Systems is celebrating after being selected to join the Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) focused on Agri-Tech in New Zealand.

IPS is one of just 15 UK companies selected for the programme which includes a visit to New Zealand at the end of November 2022.

The UK Government signed a major Research, Science and Innovation Arrangement with New Zealand earlier this year while at the same time launching Innovate UK's Global Business Innovation Programme: New Zealand Agritech.

The programme is delivered by Innovate UK EDGE and will help UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Agritech pursue growth and innovation opportunities through collaboration with New Zealand peers. The arrangement will strengthen the UK and New Zealand’s collaboration in research, science and innovation.

Cooperative activity under the arrangement is expected to be wide-ranging, from joint research and development (R&D) of new technologies, to visits and exchanges of scientists, and innovation missions between businesses.

Technical Business Development Manager for IPS Payman Shafighi said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been accepted for this important programme which we hope will expand the use of our products in New Zealand and help us to foster relationships with potential customers and partners.

“We are already working with some organisations in New Zealand, mainly to do with monitoring the Codling Moth – a devastating pest of apple trees - and we are sure our products will be hugely beneficial to farmers as part of Integrated Pest Management for a range of other crops.”

IPS will be given intensive support by a dedicated Innovate UK EDGE innovation and growth specialist before the visit starting at the end of November 2022. Company representatives will then be taken on a five-day visit that coincides with and includes a visit to Fieldays, the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural event. During the trip they will be introduced at pre-arranged meetings to relevant businesses, universities, labs and investors.

This GBIP is a key part of Innovate UK’s commitment to foster the international growth of innovation-focused business in the UK. It will provide an ideal platform for UK Agritech businesses to grow and scale by developing productive relationships with peers and other research, development and innovation-focused organisations in New Zealand.

International Pheromone Systems is a customer-orientated company with 35 years of experience in developing, producing and supplying high-quality insect pheromone and kairomone formulations and associated trapping systems to a growing international customer base. The company specialises in supplying semiochemical lures, formulated liquid attractants and traps to monitor and manage insect pests and promoting sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) within agricultural, horticultural, forestry, storage and urban settings.

A core value of the company is to promote and support Integrated Pest Management programs which offer ecological and environmentally sustainable solutions to pest management.