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 a new software, constructed locally, which provides an individual with the possibility to design a lamp of their own choice. The software, which has been created under the Shapelamp project (www.shapelamp.com), allows any person to create their own lamp in any shape they can think of, just by adjusting the shape and size with their own fingers. The design is then converted into a product by the same company and is bought by the client.
Another project called Innovled 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 Minister for Research, Innovation and the Co-ordination of Post Covid-19 Strategy Owen Bonnici at the offices of Abertax Group at the Mosta Techno Park, he witnessed the work being done by professionals working in the research and innovation wing of the group. The companies specialise in accessories for batteries and other technological solutions, and employ 180 people in total, in Kordin, Mosta, as well as outside of Malta. The Research and Development department is made up of 40 professionals who create various innovations regularly, which are then commercialised both locally and abroad.
Minister Bonnici was accompanied by Chairperson of the Group Prof Joe Cilia, Engineer George Schembri and Chief Executive Engineer Malcolm Tabone. He was provided with an overview of the various research projects which are in different stages of development and, in some cases, have already been turned into prototypes for further testing and certifications, prior to being placed on the market. Some of the projects were undertaken in collaboration with the University of Malta.
Minister Bonnici lauded 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.
Minister Bonnici explained that Abertax Group has made various investments to strengthen its work and keep pushing this industrial sector forward.
