A Co Antrim-based construction sector business, Purepipe, is targeting new export sales worth £1m with support from Invest Northern Ireland.

Dunmurry's Purepipe is using a highly advanced form of filament winding technology to manufacture a pure glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe.

The development of this product range forms part of a £300,000 investment in research and development and marketing.

Invest NI offered the firm's parent company, Silotank (DST) over £85,000, which includes part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The company's investment aims to capitalise on the development and marketing of its innovative product range and includes the recruitment of a business development manager.

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Silotank also produces thermoplastics and glass reinforced plastic tanks, silos and chemical and odour control scrubbers to the water and waste water, chemical, pharmaceutical and utilities sectors.

Kevin McCann, Invest NI's Director of Transport, Construction and Tourism said: "Silotank's recent investment is the latest element in a continuous programme of improvement and new product development which the company is implementing to generate sales, in export markets.

"By capitalising on the new product offering and increasing brand awareness through an extensive marketing campaign, Silotank is determined to ensure the long term success of the business and achieve its £1 million sales target," he said.

Seamus Carmichael, Managing Director of Silotank (DST) said: "Invest NI's support and advice has been instrumental in helping us to develop and launch our new product range.

"With market research showing a demand exists for this innovative product, we are confident we can achieve our £1 million sales target over the next three years."

Invest NI has offered Silotank (DST) £85,088 of support, which includes part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, towards the company's total investment of £293,227.

(BMcC/GK)