County Durham Radiation detection specialist Kromek has secured orders worth more than $1.6m.

The company, which has its main base at Sedgefield’s Netpark as well as operations in the US, working to develop radiation and bio-detection tech solutions for the advanced imaging and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) detection segments. The AIM-listed business has now announced to shareholders that it has secured four orders worth a total of $1.63m (£1.28m) in the advanced imaging segment.

The orders, which are all from existing customers, are to provide the group’s detector components for computed tomography and gamma imaging applications and gamma probes. Two of the orders are to be delivered in the current financial year and two are for delivery over the next 12 to 24 months.

Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “We are pleased to have received these orders from existing customers, which is illustrative of the repeat nature of our business in the advanced imaging segment. With the increasing adoption of next-generation detection modalities by OEMs in the medical imaging market, we expect to continue to expand our customer base in this key area.

"Accordingly, and as our existing development agreements progress to the supply phase, we look forward to sustained growth in the volume of repeat business alongside winning orders from new customers.”

Last week Kromek revealed how a team of eight dogs, kitted out with its radiation detection technology, have taken to the battlefields of Ukraine to alert soldiers to potential harm near nuclear power stations.

The dogs have been fitted with pocket-sized detectors to help Ukrainian troops identify risks where there has been heavy fighting near nuclear sites. The detectors pick up low levels of radiation and the type of source, before sending data back to soldiers between 20-30m away via an app, sounding an alarm – and being called back – almost immediately if the dog gets too close.