The 'Folimat' machine by Franz Josef Hoffacker won an environment awards from the Horticultural Association of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, at the IPM exhibition. It uses a biodegradable film made from Maize called 'Biofolie' 18mµ thick, or conventional plastic film. The machine is tractor drawn and can lay film at a rate of about 1-5 km per hour together with up to 3 lines of drip irrigation tubing. The stainless steel cutting wheels cross-slit the film as it is lade to provide holes: 30, 50, 70 and 90mm in diameter. According to mechanical engineer Wilhelm Bauer, the system can be set to lay film of various widths and various patters of hole punching from 1 to 80 holes per m2. It will take a little time before the Company is in full production but orders are welcome. The Company also supplies film pre-perforated with round holes 30-100mm in diameter. Fax 0049 2803 800258 www.folimat.de