Colombia Government Acceptance d2w

Symphony Environmental Technologies plc (AIM: SYM) ("Symphony" or the "Company"), the global specialist in technologies that make plastic products smarter, safer and more sustainable, announces an important development in Colombia. The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has accepted evidence of biodegradability and non-toxicity submitted for products made with Symphony’s d2w biodegradable masterbatch.

The submission was made under Article 34 of Law 2232 of 2022 and Article 19 of Resolution 0803 of 2024 (Annex VIII), which allows biodegradable alternatives to prohibited single-use plastic products if they satisfy the required criteria for biodegradation, and substances of concern.

The submission was made by PROMOCIONES FANTASTICAS S.A.S. ("PF"), for their polypropylene drinking-straws, and the Ministry has confirmed that the evidence satisfies the required criteria. PF have an exclusive supply of d2w masterbatch for the manufacture of d2w drinking straws within their agreed territory.

Although the Ministry does not issue product approvals, it has confirmed that the evidence submitted for PF’s drinking straws made with d2w technology supports the statutory requirements.

Michael Laurier, Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Environmental, said:

"This is an important breakthrough after a lengthy and detailed process to satisfy the Colombian authorities. It strengthens PF’s commercial position in Colombia, which has a population of 54 million, and is likely to increase sales of Symphony’s d2w masterbatch. It raises the acceptability and visibility of d2w across Latin America, and supports wider engagement by Symphony with manufacturers and retailers seeking practical, low-cost, alternatives to a range of prohibited single-use plastics.

Although this acknowledgement relates specifically to PF's straws, it sends a strong signal to the market: it confirms that a plastic product using d2w masterbatch comfortably meets the threshold criteria set out in the Single-Use Plastics Law to qualify as a biodegradable plastic alternative and, on that basis, to be exempt from prohibition. This should give potential users worldwide the reassurance they need to adopt the technology and continue bringing their products to market.

This development is an important addition to our recent announcement of further scientific confirmation, after extensive research, by Intertek, and by the public laboratory (CIQA) in Mexico, that plastic products made with a d2w masterbatch will biodegrade if they get into the open environment and will not leave microplastics or toxicity.”