IRIS Instruments: The arrival of new equipment thanks to long-term r&d

IRIS Instruments has received numerous requests from the mineral prospecting and environmental markets, including the specific sector of groundwater research. With constant dedication to its customers and partners, our teams were able to respond to most of them.

What will live on in the company’s history is the strong interest generated by the new equipment for deep exploration and near-surface sounding.

In a context of strong demand for and limited supply of electronic components, IRIS Instruments was forced to release only a pre-series of new products such as the TERRA line (resistivity meters and acquisition stations for deep exploration) and high power transmitters with regulated current and voltage (TIP 6 kW). This equipment is the achievement of many years of research and development within the company. Today, it is based on the combined expertise of electronics engineers and geophysics, constantly challenged by the demands of our customers, who push us to strive harder.

BRGM has acquired a new resistivity meter called SYSCAL TERRA, from IRIS Instruments. In this example, the equipment is used to determine the electrical properties of the subsurface near a railway line. © BRGM - Benjamin Maurice

The inflationary economic climate and geopolitical turbulence of 2022 inevitably affected market confidence, without hampering IRIS Instruments’ economic performance. The mining exploration sector benefited from slightly lower investment growth than in 2021. The groundwater research and environmental markets continue to grow steadily.

As in previous years, sales were spread across nearly 50 countries around the world, with a clear renewed upswing in Asia, which had been severely trammelled by the Covid crisis in 2020 and 2021. IRIS Instruments relies on a network of loyal representatives, some of whom provide after-sales service and user training.

IRIS Instruments was able to considerably increase its stock of components, semi-finished products and equipment ready for sale. The company also strengthened its production team and purchasing department. By 2023, the company will be able to meet customers’ often tight delivery schedules on time.

Research and development projects in collaboration with scientific partners (CEA, BRGM, universities, young innovative companies) are continuing with the financial support of French and European investors.

Investment in R&D, alone or with partners, depending on the subject, remains the DNA of IRIS Instruments, which is concerned with providing its customers with relevant solutions for their line of business, whether they be technicians or scientists.

Training by Fabrice Vermeersch of geophysicists from the Geological and Mines Bureau of Sri Lanka in the use of the T-VLF. © IRIS Instruments