Work on the first phase of a new state-of-the art facility for Mupor Ltd is well underway at Alness Point Business Park in Ross-shire.

Mupor specialise in the development and manufacture of a microporous ptfe film used in medical and other industries. This expansion will help ensure the long-term stability of the business and will create a further 18 high quality jobs over a three year period.

The company relocated to Ross-shire from Hartlepool over a decade ago and now exports world-wide. Their products have a wide range of applications including healthcare products, filtration equipment and electro-chemical devices.

The hydrophobic ‘breathable’ film is unique and was invented in the late 1980’s by the research director, Dr. Ron Thomas and has won a number of technology research awards.

Mupor’s excellence in its field led to their acquisition in 1999 by Porex Corporation, a US based company specialising in porous products.

The facility is being built by Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) at a total cost of £ 2.5m. Property development manager Shaun Murphy said: " It is of vital importance that Mupor has the right accommodation to support steady growth and allow them to meet their client’s requirements, both in terms of quality and quantity.

"The new building at Alness Point will provide highly specialised clean room facilities which will enable the company to expand its production, and to progress current research and development projects. The first phase of building is due to be completed in March and we expect to see Mupor complete their move by the summer.

RACE has approved a development grant of £111,500 towards the costs of equipping and fitting-out of the new production facility.

Dr. Ron Thomas said: "The new development will greatly ease our current space shortage and allow us to keep pace with increasing demand for our products. The facility at Alness Point marks a major step forward for our company and will give us the capability to respond efficiently to the increasing sales of our membrane products world wide."