Treemetrics wins ESA contract

Irish-based Treemetrics has won an €800,000 contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) that will help it roll out its web-based satellite mapping application and add 10 employees to its headcount.

The company, which specialises in forestry, data analytics and measurement solutions, offers a forest-monitoring platform that integrates with satellite positioning and remote sensing data and ground-based forest information from Treemetrics.

Laser scanners

This approach brings in 3D laser scanners to quickly measure and collect information on standing trees, replacing a more traditional method involving callipers and measuring.

The information gathered can be used to predict the quantities of log products that each tree can produce, determine which areas match sawmill requirements, and minimise the number of trees to be cut.

It can also reduce waste and carbon emissions as poor quality trees will not be cut.

Treemetrics said it would expand staff numbers at its Cork facility to 30 over the next 12 months as it recruits 10 software engineers.

Chief executive Enda Keane said Treemetrics was confident it could have a major impact on how the world’s forests are managed and assessed.

“We view this award as an endorsement of our product innovation, having satisfied ESA’s very thorough approval standards.

“Our mission over the next five years is to transform the traditional global forestry industry into a more sustainable, cost-effective, higher-value business utilising our new web-based application in forests across the world.”

Announcing the contract, Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock described the company as a “world showcase” representing the best of innovation and technology in Ireland.