AN ISLE of Wight business has signed a landmark international agreement with an environmental protection company in China.

The move signals a new era of collaboration to improve the detection and management of radiation within the nuclear power industry.

For the two organisations, IW-based Innovative Physics Ltd (IPL) and the enterprise arm of state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation, the China Environmental Protection Company Ltd (CEPC), the agreement signals their intention to develop a long-term strategic relationship to enhance and extend their joint capabilities within the domestic and global environmental protection industry.

With China’s nuclear power business expanding, safety and sustainability is of paramount importance.

IPL is a research and development company specialising in evolving technologies — sensor technology, artificial intelligence and pattern recognition — to provide solutions to complex science and engineering problems.

It has developed bespoke cutting-edge AI technology to detect, identify and grade radioactive material. It was used at the site of one of the largest environmental catastrophes — Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Mike Anderson, chief executive of IPL, said: “To work with one of the world’s leading nuclear corporations to jointly develop and improve our new technologies represents a huge opportunity.

"We are extremely excited at this collaborative arrangement coming to fruition and the prospect of working together to develop, manufacture and deploy cutting-edge technology that could provide radiological solutions for China and for other markets across the globe.”

Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox MP, said: “Britain is a key partner for Chinese trade and investment, and is one of China’s most important trading partners in Europe.

“The announcements show the breadth and depth of our trading relationship, the success UK firms are having in China, and the huge opportunity the Chinese market holds for British companies.”

IW MP Bob Seely said: “It is great to see, particularly as we develop post-Brexit opportunities, companies like Innovative Physics leading the way in terms of exporting its expertise to a global audience."