After yesterday’s business and product update from TyraTech, Proactive Investors caught up with Alan Reade who gave us the chairman’s eye view of the business, its products and its potential.

The firm, which owns proprietary technology based on naturally-occurring substances that it uses to develop safe pesticides, is getting nearer breakeven as its revenues increase and cost control improves

Oxford Advanced Surfaces has come up with two coatings that have multiple uses and the capacity to transform entire industries. Their applications are so wide ranging that boss Mike Eason has been forced to focus the company down on a manageable handful of potential markets. Even so they are impressive and cutting edge sectors from eye-wear and computer displays through to electronics and solar energy. A chat with Eason reveals that 2011 is a crucial and potentially breakthrough year for OAS. Read what he has to say.

TyraTech enjoyed a busy year, with the successful launch of the Terminix SafeShield products, and considerable progress made through the fulfilment of development milestones with both Kraft Foods and Arysta.

The new deal builds on an existing relationship and extends the partnership through 2013. It now also includes professional pest control and government clients.

Croda International has registered a very impressive share price performance in the last 52 weeks. A year ago the stock was trading at just below 500 pence; today goes for well over 700 pence.

The term ‘eco-tech’ often conjures up images of wind farms and other low-carbon energy-generating technologies. But eco-tech does not just apply to direct energy generation: it can stand also for technologies that ensure human beings have access to safe sources of water and food.