29th May 2025 16:30
(Alliance News) - Metir PLC on Thursday said trading in the first half of the year was running ahead of its own expectations and significantly above recent periods, helped by strong sales of its water toxicity testing instrument MicroTox LX.
Shares in Metir, however, were down 3.5% at 0.70 pence on Thursday afternoon in London.
The Surrey-based developer of real-time mass spectrometers said it has received 34 firm orders for the MicroTox LX so far in 2025, up from 27 units reported in March. It expects to ship the remaining 11 units by the end of June.
Metir also highlighted successful field testing of its proprietary PFAS detection platform, designed to identify "forever chemicals", during trials conducted on a river in Wales. It is now working with an unnamed US-based specialist to optimise the platform for mobile use, aiming to become the world’s leading supplier of portable PFAS detection equipment.
The firm said trading momentum is expected to continue, though it remains dependent on access to working capital. Its current cash balance is GBP151,000, with further outflows expected by the end of May.
The group noted that delays in final commissioning of a 27-machine water safety project in Qatar had pushed back the expected EUR228,000 final payment to the third quarter. The company has put cost controls in place while it finalises a payment schedule with the customer.
Once completed, Metir said Doha will be the only city globally to have 24/7 early-warning monitoring of its drinking water supply, with instant shutdown capabilities in case of toxin detection using Metir's CTM technology.
Metir said it remains tightly focused on cost discipline and working capital efficiency. Acting Executive Chair & Chief Executive Officer Bob Moore said the company expects to achieve earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation profitability in the second half of 2025.
"With a substantial increase in orders and sales so far in 2025, the business plan to merge Microsaic Systems' and Modern Water's businesses is now bearing fruit," Moore said.
He added that the firm's reset in 2024, which included cost reductions and reorganisation, had better positioned Metir to grow with a wide range of proprietary products and a growing order book.
Delivery of new Sulphate Reducing Bacteria test kits will begin in June, while three units of MicroTox LX are now being built weekly, with capacity to increase output further if needed.
By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News reporter
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