Business
Response to BBC Coverage
Response to BBC Coverage.
About this update from Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 3331V Symphony Environmental Tech. PLC 20 July 2018 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n20 July 2018\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSYMPHONY ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES PLC\n \n(\"Symphony\" or the \"Company\")\n \nResponse to BBC Coverage\n \n \nSymphony Environmental Technologies Plc (AIM:SYM), a global specialist in technologies that \"make plastics smarter\", makes the following statement on the coverage of its d2w plastic technology on the BBC news yesterday (19 July). \n \nThe Company's Chief Executive, Michael Laurier said:\n \n\"Nearly all previous media coverage has been about the problem of plastic in the open environment, rather than the solution. Whilst the BBC's coverage did not, in our opinion, fairly present the scientifically proven benefit of oxo-biodegradable technology, we are pleased that the BBC has now focused on the solution, and introduced our Company and our d2w technology to a much wider audience.\n \nAll plastics will fragment when exposed in the open environment, but the problem with ordinary plastics is that their fragments will lie or float around for decades before becoming biodegradable, and will persist and accumulate as a problem for future generations. During that time they break down into microplastics and may attract and carry toxins. \n \nSymphony's d2w technology was invented to accelerate the degradation process and reduce the dwell-time of plastic in the environment, by adding a catalyst which promotes oxidation and converts the plastic into biodegradable materials. It is essential to understand that it does not just create fragments. d2w plastic can be recycled if collected but degradation followed by biodegradation is there to protect the environment if all else fails. \n \nIt is legitimate for the BBC reporter to question whether d2w technology actually works. To answer that question for ourselves and our customers we have commissioned scientific tests over more than 20 years so as to be quite sure that we would not be making misleading claims. \n \nBased on this evidence a d2w plastic product will become biodegradable if exposed to oxygen on land or sea much more quickly than ordinary plastic. \n \nThese tests included successful exposure in seawater at the Bandol laboratory in France, and subseque...