The new FTSE Environmental Opportunities Index identifies companies that are leading the way in low carbon related activities.

To make the list, companies must have significant involvement in environmental business activities and must generate at least 20% of revenues from environment related markets. This includes renewable and alternative energy, energy efficiency and waste and pollution control. The list comprises 472 companies from around the world. Oxford Instruments has been named among the thirty British companies on the list.

Today Oxford Instruments is providing equipment to the developers of photovoltaic devices who are seeking to produce cost effective solutions for turning sunlight into electricity. It is also working with international agencies on the ITER** programme which seeks to develop a technology that will allow the production of large quantities of carbon free energy. High Brightness Light Emitting Diodes offer the possibility of lighting, which is so efficient that if adopted widely would make significant cuts in worldwide CO2 emissions. Oxford Instruments’ equipment is being used in their development.

Its hand-held analysers (such as the X-MET 5100 XRF hand held analyser) are being used to detect heavy metal pollution more effectively than has ever been done before and as more stringent environmental controls are demanded, Oxford Instruments will provide the answer to them.

Oxford Instruments high technology tools and systems are used by customers in research and industry who address the global issues of environmental preservation, energy conservation and health and security.

* Financial Times Stock Exchange

** International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

Oxford Instruments plc – Oxford Instruments designs, supplies and supports high-technology tools, processes and solutions with a focus on physical science, bioscience, environmental and industrial research and applications. It provides solutions needed to advance fundamental nanoscience research and its transfer into commercial nanotechnology applications. Innovation has been the driving force behind Oxford Instruments’ growth and success for over 40 years, and its strategy is to effect the successful commercialization of these ideas by bringing them to market in a timely and customer-focused fashion.

The first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University over forty years ago, Oxford Instruments is now a global company with over 1,300 staff worldwide and a listing on the London Stock Exchange (OXIG). Its objective is to be the leading provider of new generation tools and systems for the Physical Science and Bioscience sectors.

This involves the combination of core technologies in areas such as low temperature and high magnetic field environments, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, X-ray electron and optical based metrology, and advanced growth, deposition and etching. Our products, expertise, and ideas address global issues such as energy, environment, terrorism and health and are part of the next generation of telecommunications, energy products, environmental measures, security devices, drug discovery and medical advances.

Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis – As well as advanced technology systems for space, Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis (OIIA) offers a range of Analytical Instruments designed for demanding quality control applications. From materials analysis to thickness gauging, the Industrial Analysis products incorporate the latest in available technology, coupled with over 50 years of experience in designing, producing and supporting world class instruments.

X-MET handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysers and our expanded range of ARC/Spark mobile Optical Emission Spectrometers (OES) are specifically designed for positive material identification, alloy analysis and the determination of hazardous materials for RoHS compliance. Our OES systems comprise: FOUNDRY-MASTER, FOUNDRY-MASTER COMPACT, PMI-MASTER PRO, PMI-MASTER SORT, TEST MASTER, ARC-MET.

Lab-X, Twin-X, ED2000 and MDX1000 XRF spectrometers span the price/performance range for routine chemical analysis. From Sulfur in petroleum products to the analysis of limestone, we can match exactly the correct spectrometer to your needs, as we offer the broadest range in the industry.

For thickness gauging applications we offer handheld magnetic and eddy current gauges to full function, high performance XR systems. Our X-Strata960 and X-Strata980 systems provide world-class performance for coating thickness measurement.

OIIA’s acquisition of WAS AG (Worldwide Analytical Systems), a leading German manufacturer and international supplier of Arc/Spark optical emission spectrometers, strengthened OIIAs strategy to deliver added value and enhanced service to our customers.