Scientific services

James Hutton Limited (JHL) is a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the James Hutton Institute. We undertake plant breeding and licensing, scientific research and consultancy, as well as analytical services for customers worldwide.

About us

Our team of qualified and highly experienced field, research and social scientists and statisticians provide a professional service both in terms of delivery and quality. We offer an extensive range of specialist services including:

Analytical methods for the soil, water, agri-food and energy sectors.
Field and controlled environment trials.
Working with commercial partners to breed new varieties of potatoes and soft fruit.

Analytical services

JHL offers specialised analytical services catering to a diverse clientele across the globe. Our expertise spans various sectors, encompassing oil & gas, natural products (including cannabinoids, medicinal plants and seaweeds), food and drink, water, agriculture and horticulture.

With ISO17025:2017 and GMP accreditations, our laboratories uphold the highest standards of quality assurance. We are proud to be recognised as an ORETO (Official Recognition of Efficacy Testing [Facilities or] Organisations) testing organisation.

Improving crop production

Collaborating with commercial partners, we harness our genetic development research and extensive germplasm collections to breed new varieties of potatoes and soft fruit.

Our diverse portfolio of varieties is available for international licensing, supported by rigorous field and controlled environment trials conducted by our expert team

Research collaborations

At JHL, we forge partnerships across the agri-food supply chain, leveraging cutting-edge agri-tech advancements and championing regenerative agriculture practices.

Engaging with landowners, we conduct research aimed at tackling land use challenges and enhancing natural capital, including water resource management, renewable energy integration, and community engagement initiatives

How to work with us

Interested in utilising our state-of-the-art facilities, including crop storage or phenotyping equipment?

Exploring tenancy options to co-locate at one of our sites?

Seeking to license our patented technology or consult with our world-leading experts?

Whatever your requirements, we’re equipped to meet them.

Mylnefield Lipid Analysis is a leading international laboratory for the specialist analysis of oils and fats offering a fully accredited analytical services, ranging from analyses of single samples to small research projects.
Rubus breeding
MycoNourish™ harnesses the power of beneficial microbes known as ‘arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi’ to improve crop production. Our microbes are completely natural fungi that live underground. Working in symbiosis with plants, they act as a secondary root system, increasing plant health and improving the quantity and quality of crop yields.
Hutton Clays and Minerals is a research group routinely undertaking a wide variety of mineralogical investigations and specialising in the investigation of materials that contain clay minerals. Offering expertise with instrumental methods of analysis, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy.
MicroResp™ is a unique microplate-based respiration system that enables the user to analyse up to 96 soil, sediment or water samples and test a range of carbon sources and/or replicates in a small compact space.