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Discovery Park in Kent has welcomed two climate-tech businesses into specialist laboratory space, supporting work on persistent chemical pollution and materials for next-generation energy systems.
The new arrivals, Anthera Remediation Technologies and Colliding Materials, are both graduates of Discovery Spark, Discovery Park’s business-growth initiative. The programme supports early-stage science and technology companies with mentoring and advice on areas including intellectual property and legal development, helping them progress towards commercial application.
Anthera Remediation Technologies is focused on removing and breaking down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, from soil and water. Often described as “forever chemicals”, PFAS are used across a wide range of products because of their water-, oil- and heat-resistant properties. However, their persistence in the environment and potential health impacts have made them an increasing focus for regulators, environmental scientists and water-sector organisations.
Effective PFAS remediation remains a significant technical challenge. Laboratories play an important role in developing and validating methods to detect, measure and treat these compounds, as well as assessing the performance of proposed remediation technologies under controlled conditions. Access to suitable laboratory facilities can help early-stage companies move from proof-of-concept research to more robust testing and development.
Colliding Materials is developing advanced plastic compounding technology and engineered composite materials with high electrical conductivity. These materials could have applications in energy systems and electronics, where performance, weight, durability and manufacturability all need to be considered.
The company’s work illustrates the role of material innovation in supporting the transition to lower-carbon technologies. New composite materials may help enable more efficient components and systems, but they require rigorous characterisation to understand their chemical, electrical and physical properties.
For laboratory professionals, the expansion of Discovery Park’s climate-tech community demonstrates the value of specialist infrastructure in supporting innovation. Start-ups working on complex environmental and materials challenges often need access to analytical equipment, controlled testing environments and experienced scientific networks before their technologies can be assessed at scale.
Science parks and shared laboratory environments can provide these capabilities while encouraging collaboration between researchers, technology developers and industry partners. As pressure grows to address environmental contamination and develop more sustainable technologies, such ecosystems can help accelerate the route from laboratory research to real-world impact.
