Under the 2007-2013 Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme, the Applied Research Enhancement programme provided funding to potential research groups in the Institutes of Technology in the Region based on the outcome of a competitive application process.
Between 2007 and 2013, 64 industry focused projects involving collaborations with 58 companies were completed.

Shasta Ltd.

Shasta Ltd. is one of the companies that was supported by the Applied Research Enhancement aspect of the 2007-2013 Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme.

Shasta is a highly innovative company that specialises in baby care products and leads the way in portable baby care sterilisation technologies. Shasta wanted to develop the world’s first portable baby bottle steriliser (Steri-Ova). In collaboration with Shasta, Applied Polymer Technologies developed a plastic prototype using 3D modelling and rapid prototyping technology.

The collaboration brought the Steri-Ova concept to reality, producing a superior product in terms of speed, size, convenience and reliability. Steri-Ova is now patented in Ireland and patents are pending in 140 countries.

It is currently poised for launch worldwide in partnership with one of the leading names in the baby care market. This work came from the completion of 2 Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers. Shasta has a pipeline of further innovative products that it hopes to develop in collaboration with Athlone Institute of Technology.

AIT brought Steri-Ova from concept into a prototype that we could show potential customers and investors

– Ann Marie Durkin, CEO, Shasta