Small caps round-up: Biome, Ceramic Fuel Cells, Chamerlin

Technology group Biome has seen significant positive developments in the patent litigation cases currently being heard against its joint venture company, Biotec. The claims, which are being made by Italian company Novamont, are for infringement of the French and Italian designations of a number of Novamont's patents by the products that are or have been manufactured and sold by Biotec.

The court in the first instance has found in favour of Biotec and has revoked the Italian designations of Novamont's patents, with the exception of claim 12 (although this also was found not to be infringed) and EP '120. The news was described by the company as "very encouraging". A parallel case in Milan remains on going.

Fuel cell technology manufacturer Ceramic Fuel Cells has delivered strong revenue growth of around 75% higher than the previous year at £4.3m after order books doubled to 639 products. The firm believes the sales outlook for the coming financial year is strong, particularly in Germany. To ensure income grows, the company has employed more aggressive sales pricing, reduced operating costs and is pursuing several options to raise additional working capital. A large furnace will shortly be brought into production in Germany which will increase capacity to 1,500 BlueGen units each year.

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Chamberlin, a specialist foundry and engineering group, has traded in line with expectations during the first three months of the financial year. The company also remains in a strong cash generative position. "The board's focus remains on increasing sales and improving Chamberlin's operational performance and we continue to make progress in these areas," the firm said at its annual general meeting.

NR