SAN DIEGO, CA, Sept. 14, 2005 � JMAR Technologies Inc. has successfully completed the first test phase of a three-phase program at Kimpen S.A. DE C.V., Mexico's leading beverage development and manufacturing company. Kimpen has reiterated that, based on its successful in-lab testing of BioSentry™, the company intends to purchase two production units and initiate operational testing in two factories.
Earlier in the year, Kimpen commenced a two-month beta-test of a BioSentry system in its research facility. During this test period, Kimpen validated BioSentry's capabilities to detect and classify E. coli and Pseudomonas, should these bacteria occur in its beverage production water. The initial test period, ending Aug. 29, reached successful completion by meeting all agreed-to test criteria.
Pursuant to the agreement, Kimpen now plans to initiate the second phase of the program by installing a BioSentry system in each of its two commercial factories in the Yucatan Peninsula for two months of operational testing. The purchase and installation of the additional systems is expected to occur within the next two months, coinciding with JMAR's BioSentry production start-up plan. Following the successful operational testing of these systems, Kimpen intends to purchase an additional 15 systems to ensure that at least one BioSentry is in continuous operation in each of its 15 factories.
"We are excited about lab test results obtained from the BioSentry and are anxious to move to the factory testing phase of the Program," said Adolfo Herrera Hiza, Kimpen general manager. "The BioSentry is expected to help the company ensure water used in the fabrication of various juices and concentrates is free of bacteria prior to the mixing process."
"We are very pleased that the first phase of our agreement with Kimpen has been expeditiously and successfully completed", said Ronald A. Walrod, CEO of JMAR. "Kimpen has done a great job of helping us understand more about the beverage production applications for BioSentry and has reinforced our strong belief in the tremendous business opportunity represented by this market vertical. We are confident that the upcoming factory test phase will further demonstrate BioSentry's strong value proposition as a cost-effective and efficient means of ensuring the highest standards of purity throughout beverage production facilities worldwide."
Kimpen, the largest bottled beverage supplier in Mexico, serves the Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Chiapas regions. It produces purified water, carbonated drinks, juices and punches for more than 59,000 domestic and international customers and generated $300 million in revenues for 2004.
Kimpen is one of three beta-test sites selected for JMAR's BioSentry. Olivenhain Municipal Water District has employed three BioSentry systems to monitor raw influent water, treated effluent water and distribution system water at its water treatment facility. A BioSentry test unit is also installed on a ship operated by a major cruise line with the ultimate goal of monitoring water quality for onboard drinking water, spas and swimming pools.
The BioSentry is a laser-based, contamination-warning system that provides continuous, online, automated water quality monitoring. This unique system is designed to monitor, detect and classify waterborne microorganisms in real time to aid in assuring water purity. Considering applications within the food and beverage industries, water utilities, homeland security, military operations, cruise ships, naval vessels, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical production, hospitals and medical practices, the total addressable market for BioSentry is expected to exceed $500 million.
JMAR Technologies Inc. (www.jmar.com) is a leading innovator in the development of laser-based equipment for imaging, analysis and fabrication at the nano-scale. It's leveraging over a decade of laser and photonics research to develop a diverse portfolio of products with commercial applications in rapidly growing industries while continuing to carry out research and development for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and provide support for the U.S. Government's Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) semiconductor fabrication facility. JMAR is targeting the nanotechnology, bioscience and semiconductor industries with its BritelightTM laser; X-ray Light Source; Compact X-ray Microscope - for 3D visualization of single cells and polymers; and its X-ray Nano Probe - enabling interaction, analysis and material modification at the nano-scale. JMAR also develops, manufactures and markets its BioSentryTM microorganism contamination warning system and maintains a strategic alliance for the production of the READ chemical sensor for homeland security, environmental and utility infrastructure industries.
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