ADC has a long history as a company of “firsts”
1969
ADC is founded
Moult, Coombes, Doncaster and Sullivan establish The Analytical Development Company Limited (ADC), dedicated to manufacturing infrared gas analysers in London, UK.
1971
A plant research first
The ADC225 MK1 is released — the first ever specialised laboratory device developed for plant science research. Plant physiologists had already begun using ADC industrial gas analysers in their work.
1980s
Portable & award-winning
The portable LCA series is developed, because of the trending shift from lab field research.
ADC wins export award for the ADC225 and LCA-2 (1985) due to sales in the US.
1993
A first for H2O data
The LCA-4 is introduced, followed by the LCA-4M in 1997 — the first to use additional IRGAs to improve H2O measurement.
1994
1998
The multi-tasker
The ADC2250 is released — a multi-channel system with diverse applications from plant gas flux, soil respiration to forest eddy covariance.
1999
A first for portability
ADC introduces the LCi series — the world’s first analyser to integrate a miniaturised IRGA into its handle for enhanced portability.
2001
Greater ease & accuracy
The LCpro series photosynthesis system is released, followed by the upgraded LCpro+ in 2004, strengthening user reputation for ease and accuracy.
2008
Multi-site capability
The ACE automated soil CO2 exchange system is debuted — enabling long-term, unattended flux monitoring across multiple sites in a network of up to 32 devices.
2016
A new partnership
The iFL integrated gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence device is released in partnership with Opti-Sciences Inc.
The iFL is the first instrument of its kind to provide:
- Leaf absorptance measurement
- White LED lighting to stimulate chloroplast migration
- Humidity control above ambient
- “walk-away automation”
- Automated post-processing for the Laisk, Kok and Yin protocols
2019
50 years of ADC
ADC celebrates five decades of innovation in carbon cycle instrumentation.
2020s
The range expands
The early 2020s see the release of the EGA60 multi-sample laboratory gas analyser, LCi-T, LCpro T, and the SRS T series…
…and the addition of advanced chlorophyll and fluorescence products from Opti-Sciences Inc.
L-R: OS30p+, OS5p+, OS1p, Plant Stress Kit
L-R: CCM-200plus, MPM-100, ACM-200plus
2024
More firsts
Two exciting new products are introduced:
The Automated Photosynthesis System — the world’s first automated multi-chamber photosynthesis and transpiration analyser…
…and the Stem/Pod/Spikelet Chamber
2025
Innovation continues
ADC releases the new AM400 leaf area meter with improved width than the AM350 and unlimited scan length.
