A TECHNOLOGY firm helping thwart terror attacks has confirmed it expects a “step change” in income growth – just weeks after telling The Northern Echo it aimed to do so.

Kromek believes it will continue picking up new work after a strong year bolstered its international presence.

The business, based at NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, is known for its anti-extremist technology and previously revealed a £2.5m deal to supply parts for security systems designed to detect homemade bombs.

It has already sent thousands of radiation detectors to an agency of the US Department of Defense to help identify threats including ‘dirty bombs’ and bosses told the Echo it has translated a contract pipeline worth nearly £33m into tangible agreements over the last 20 months.

Dr Arnab Basu, chief executive, said he expects the company to continue its impetus, as demand for its goods remains strong.

He said: “The group is making good progress on the delivery of new orders won over the past two years.

“Products continue to gain traction in all business segments and the group expects to continue to win new customers.

“Together with the momentum of contract wins, it expects a step change in revenue growth in the new financial calendar year.”

Speaking to the Echo earlier this year, Dr Basu said the firm was ready to start another chapter in its relatively short history, confirming he expected an £810,000 contract renewal - to send upgraded versions of detectors to a US customer - to be followed by further lucrative agreements.

Saying firms were now willing to enter into long-term relationships with Kromek, which began as a research-focused spin out from Durham University’s physics department in the early 2000s, he added: “A pipeline is one thing, but the conversion into contracts is another and that has started to happen.

“We are building up a very good list of customers who are willing to commit their medium and long-term futures with us.

“Our pipeline is extremely strong and we are working hard to bring more customers to it; we expect to see more good news coming out.”

Kromek’s £810,000 contract, which Dr Basu said is bound by strict confidentiality clauses, came just weeks after the company revealed a £21m stock market drive.

At the time, Dr Basu told the Echo it would provide the “rocket fuel” to power fresh growth and ease some customer concerns over its balance sheet.

The shares placing and offer provides hope the company can record its first profit, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) expected to break even in the coming months.

As well as its radiation detectors, Kromek is also known for airport bottle scanners, which scour luggage for explosives, and medical equipment capable of helping diagnose brittle bones.