A COMPANY in South Wales has developed and patented a range of innovative foundation products which may replace the traditional bases used in the construction industry.

Intellectual property initiative IP Wales helped guide Insulslab, of Llantrisant, through the intellectual property rights maze in preparation for a launch into European market places.

The range - also known as Insulslab - was developed after identifying a need within the UK construction industry for a quicker, more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly method of producing concrete foundations.

The Insulslab system is claimed to be 25 per cent cheaper than equivalent foundations.

Insulslab managing director Philip Major said: "There are approximately 175,000 new houses built each year in the UK.

"The prices charged for constructing foundations makes up a considerable proportion of the total cost of these buildings and the process takes weeks rather than days.

"Insulslab was successfully implemented by Persimmon Homes (Wales) last year and other developers such as Westbury, Redrow, George Wimpey, Bovis and Bellway intend to use it this year."

Mr Major said he was now planning to launch the product in Europe. He added that IP Wales had given his company invaluable advice and funding towards patent registration in Europe.

"Thanks to IP Wales we can now market our products abroad without fear of our inventions being copied by a competitors."

IP Wales field officer Phillip John said: "The success of Insulslab's product in the UK has created an excellent springboard for Europe.

"We helped Insulslab extend its UK patent coverage and file a European patent application."

Part funded by the WDA and the European Union, IP Wales is an initiative designed to help companies and individuals take advantage of their intellectual property rights.

Since its founding in June 2002, it has signed up over 1,400 Welsh SMEs. Find out more at www.ipwales.com