iHemp Magazine iHemp - Issue 7 - Aug 2019 | Page 22

“We focused on businesses that wanted R&D” Marco interviews Steve Howse General Manager [email protected] “A nalytica was a ‘startup’ in Nov 2011, when a couple of our senior staff formed the company with the intention to provide high-end analytical testing services to various New Zealand industries. Their focus was on industries like natural products, food and the environment,” explains Steve Howse. 22 Steve goes on, “Now eight years later, Analytica employs more than 110 people.” “The focus we took was on businesses that wanted to do research and development work. Work where the necessary high-end scientific services were not available in New Zealand. “The type of work required by the hemp and medicinal cannabis companies is exactly what Analytica was set up for, all those years ago. “We founded Analytica around our key technologies, for example the High Resolution Mass Spectrometer (HRMS), and the range of equipment has continued to expand” “A High Resolution Mass Spectrometer can measure 1000’s of different compounds in a sample, at the same time. It can also be used for a range of different research, development and discovery purposes. This is of interest to people wanting to explore the potential of new products, for example. Pictured: Tracey Chen, Analytica Laboratories 2018 High Resolution Mass Spectrometer used to explore the potential of new products. Milk and Honey Success: “In 2014 we used LC-MS/MS to screen for residues in New Zealand milk products. Typically we were able to provide solutions to the dairy industry that not only met their protection needs, but we were also able to do it in a way that was fast, and very cost effective. We are now a world leader in Beta Casein Testing Services. “We have also had success in the honey industry testing for grade, authenticity and safety. Our honey testing services now extend internationally also. “Five years ago there were very limited analytical testing services related to honey on offer to the industry, now they have expanded enormously and that’s what we see happening with Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis,” Steve points out. q ISO 17025 accredited by IANZ 23