A company that tests food for pesticide residues has moved home.

QTS Analytical is the newest tenant at Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, after moving from Lenham Heath. The company specialises in the analysis of pesticide residues in fresh produce, tea, food products and cereals, and joins a number of food technology companies at the park. The KSP laboratories will enable the firm to test a larger range of chemicals more efficiently.

Steve Gardner founded the company almost 10 years ago and developed innovative technology to provide rapid analysis results turnaround, including same day testing on fresh produce.

The business now employs 10 staff and is widening its range of service to include illegal dye testing. It also offers tailored due diligence solutions for the food industry, including site and farm audits, and tailored training programmes.

Sales director Julian Guanaria said the move would enable the firm to grow. “Kent Science Park ticks all the boxes by offering a large supportive network and being so positive about the growth of scientific businesses. There are like-minded companies situated on campus and with the parks excellent transport links and fully renewable energy programme it will act as a springboard for the exciting new analytical capabilities we have planned.”

Site Director James Speck welcomed QTS Analytical. He said: “Steve and Julian are dynamic individuals, exactly the sort of people we like to have at KSP. We strive to provide the best possible facilities we can to assist our tenants in their development and are sure that QTS Analytical will continue to excel and grow their business.”

Meanwhile, KSP, home to some 60 companies, has pledged to buy all its electricity from renewable sources. It already obtains power from wind farms, solar farms, hydro schemes and energy from waste.

Site director James Speck said: “The actions being taken to utilise innovative energy sources and make such a big reduction in our carbon footprint is crucial. We continually look towards the future to set about protecting our environment. We already have companies such as Boundless Horizons which created a solar powered horticultural box that can be sent worldwide to aid the fight against world hunger, and Plantworks which works on helping to improve the environment by creating products for the planting and revegetation of stressed land. Hopefully this will inspire other companies to use renewable sources wherever possible and push for a greener, cleaner Kent”.