Infection prevention and hygiene products company Tristel has received a further boost with clearance for another of its products in Australia.

Tristel, based as Snailwell, near Newmarket, has had its Fuse disinfectant, used in its Stella decontamination tray, granted approval as a high-level disinfectant by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA).

Tristel has had a presence in the Australian hospital market since 2011 when it received its first approval from the TGA for its Wipes System.

From 2011 to 2016 Tristel was represented in the country by a distributor but in August last year Tristel purchased the distributor’s business and established a direct presence in the Australian hospital market via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tristel Pty Ltd.

Stella and Fuse are specifically designed for the decontamination of small single-channelled instruments, with a particular focus on urology. Flexible cystoscopes are used by urologists for urethral, bladder and kidney examinations and Stella is targeted at this instrument.

However, it can also be used to decontaminate bronchoscopes used in respiratory medicine, laryngoscopes used in anaesthesia, manometry catheters used in GI physiology, transoesophageal echo probes used in cardiology, and nasendoscopes used in hospital ear, nose and throat clinics.

First introduced to the global hospital market in 2011, 600 Stella systems have been sold worldwide and Fuse and Stella registered £1m sales for the company during its last financial year.

Paul Swinney, Tristel chief executive, said: “Every regulatory approval gained is a key milestone for Tristel, but this one is particularly exciting.

“Australia has been a very successful and profitable market for us, and the acquisition of our distributor’s business in August 2016 has surpassed expectations.

“Since the acquisition, we have gained approvals for our Fuse for Surfaces, Jet for Surfaces and Rinse Assure products, and now we have Fuse for Stella to add to the portfolio our team can sell.

“Australia is a hospital market that has a real need for the Stella decontamination concept, with so many of the country’s thousand or so public and private hospitals in remote locations.”

Last week, Tristel reported increased first-half revenues and profits, with growth running ahead of management expectations.

Revenues for the six months to December 31, 2016, were 22% higher compared with the same period a year earlier, at £9.75m against £8.01m. This included 45% growth in overseas sales, to £4.2m from £2.9m, representing 43% of total revenue against 36% during last year’s first half.

Earnings before interest and depreciation grew 21%, to £2.3m from £1.9m, with pre-tax profits 15% higher, at £1.7m against £1.48m.