A German-based company, which has spearheaded innovative road-building techniques, is using Malta as its base to tap north African and eastern European countries.

Poligate, a subsidiary of the Adinotec Group, has exploited nanotechnology to create a product - polymer Nanostab - that stabilises the soil and reinforces the roadbed.

Edmund Krix, founder and CEO of the company, was in Malta to give a press conference to announce the launch of its factory in Ħal Far.

He claimed that, while Malta's roads developed problems after some five years because the use of limestone made them wear more easily, using their product would make the road last "forever".

Mr Krix said the company had been entrusted with resurfacing the Brenner Highway between Austria and Italy, and although they were given three months to do the work, they completed the project within 21 days.

Poligate is looking to employ 30 people and its first contract is to remodel two roads in Libya, totalling a stretch of 20,000 kilometres.

"To build countries you need to build the infrastructure first... We're not looking to sell our material in countries where the infrastructure is complete," he said.

The company had applied for premises with Malta Enterprise under the name Neosino Nanotechnologies, but it has since changed its name to Adinotec in a bid to change the focus beyond nanotechnology development.

Mr Krix explained that the material used on the roads is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly and water-soluble polymer additive that is milled together with hydraulic binders into the roadbed.

Mr Krix, who already has business interests in Malta through Infratech Ltd., is also planning to move all the operations of his second subsidiary, Magnapharma, to Malta.

He said this company produces dietary supplements for people undergoing treatment for cancer and HIV, though clinical trials are still under way.

Mr Krix said he was in talks with Malta Enterprise and was planning to start operating in Malta by early next year.

However, Malta Enterprise said it had not yet formally approved the premises for Magnapharma and no commitments were given to Mr Krix regarding his expansion plans.