Laboratories  for the Industry                  [home]   [topic page]

Tasmanian Alkaloids at Westbury operate three laboratories. GlaxoSmithKline have similar facilities though the chemical research facilities are in Port Fairy in Victoria.

Quality Assurance

These laboratories exist purely for ensuring the highest quality of products. Techniques used are robust meaning that they must definitively and unfailing measure percentage purity in samples taken at any point on the production line. As the reputation of the company rests on quality and reliability, this step is essential.

Agricultural Research and Development

Members of the Ag R&D support field trials of better varieties of poppy. This group must analyse large numbers of poppies for alkaloid content efficiently and develop more efficient cultivars.

Chemical Research and Development

These groups develop new methods of extraction and purification. A further task is the development of methods of synthesis of new alkaloids.