Three Cornish businesses are launching a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Plymouth.

Truro-based Made for Life Organics, Alan Harper Composites in Saltash and Redruth firm Bluefruit Software will be working with the University over the next two years.

The three businesses are each hosting a KTP Associate who will focus on an  innovative new project.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a UK-wide programme that aims to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity by collaborating with a university. A graduate KTP Associate works within the business to deliver a project, with support from the university.

Alan Harper, owner and managing director of Alan Harper Composites, is embarking on a KTP with the University of Plymouth to develop a new technology to repair composites.

Colin Hague, who grew up in Cornwall and graduated from the University of Plymouth, has joined as KTP Associate and aims to help the business develop innovative and more environmentally-friendly commercial methods to repair composite materials.

The company is known for its reusable vacuum membrane, which has been used in the flooring of Germanys ICE fleet trains.

Alan Harper said: ‘We believe passionately in protecting the environment while providing cost-effective and efficient technology for composite molding.

‘We’ve identified the need for a new way of repairing composites and with our KTP will be approaching this in a very innovative way.

‘When you’re getting something new onto the market you need to be able to demonstrate that you’ve tested it thoroughly. In other words, you can get more credibility if you’re working with a good University.

‘The KTP is helping us to link into the University of Plymouth’s wealth of knowledge and the facilities we’ve been able to access have been invaluable.’