Thermal and optical imaging products maker Opgal Optronics Ltd. and Bullard Inc. will jointly develop a system for locating gas leaks using Opgal’s thermal imaging expertise. The companies said that Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD-F) will provide a $3.5 million grant for the two-year project. Bullard develops and sells thermal imaging, industrial safety, respiratory protection and firefighting and rescue equipment.
Opgal general manager Dadi Lapidoth, “Environmental quality issues are on the global agenda. The most environmentally devastating problem is gas leaks into the open air. These gases cause global warming disrupting the ecological balance and causing natural disasters. We aim to develop a technological system for locating gas leaks in order to reduce environmental damage and increase safety.”
Opgal said that its thermal imaging products can spot leaks by certain gases by their different infrared signatures. The company added that its collaboration with Bullard in this and other fields was based on Bullard distributing Opgal products.
Opgal is a joint subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) and Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. that develops thermal and optical imaging products for military and civilian use. The company’s products are sold domestically and exported. The company decided to enter the environmental field earlier this month, with an initial focus on R&D. Based in Carmiel, the company has 90 employees, mostly optics, computer and software engineers.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 13, 2007
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2007