Combined Studies

Extensive Biodegradation, No Microplastics, No Toxicity, and Recyclability.

Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc (AIM: SYM), the global specialist in technologies that make plastic and rubber products smarter, safer and more sustainable, is pleased to announce the completion of ten independent studies by laboratories accredited to ISO 17025. Together, these studies provide a broad, independently-generated evidence package on the biodegradation and environmental safety of specified polyolefin products incorporating Symphony’s d2w biodegradable plastic technology.

Highlights

Ten independent studies completed successfully

Comprehensive environmental-fate programme completed

Provides a substantial scientific evidence-base developed over almost four decades

98.7% aerobic biodegradation demonstrated

91.06% anaerobic biodegradation demonstrated

No ecotoxicity

No residual plastic remnants

No microplastics

Supports increasing engagement with governments, regulators, and industry and environmental stakeholders

Strengthens the Company's commercial position worldwide.

At a time when plastic pollution remains a major environmental concern, Symphony believes that solutions proposed to address the problem must be capable of withstanding rigorous scientific scrutiny. The test programme included aerobic biodegradation, anaerobic biodegradation, ecotoxicity assessments, plastic remnant investigations and microplastics evaluations, all conducted according to internationally recognised standards including ASTM D6954, NMX-E-288-NYCE, ISO 15985, ISO 17556, ISO 24187 and ISO 24899.

This represents a comprehensive environmental-fate programme for polyolefin products and addresses key questions relating to biodegradation, microplastics, and environmental safety. It shows that if plastic containing a d2w masterbatch gets into the open environment at the end of its useful life it will safely biodegrade instead of creating microplastics and lying or floating around for decades.

Among the findings are that an LDPE/LLDPE film containing 1% d2w masterbatch achieved a biodegradation level of 91.06% when tested according to ISO 15985 under methanogenic anaerobic conditions. In addition the Mexican public laboratory, CIQA, confirmed compliance with Mexican Standard NMX-E-288-NYCE-2022 CIQA and measured a reduction in molecular weight from approximately 89,670 Daltons to 2,941 Daltons during simulated weathering, followed by 89.51% biodegradation.

Across the whole programme, biodegradation levels demonstrated biological conversion (mineralisation) under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. During biodegradation, part of the organic carbon is assimilated as biomass, so the mineralisation level will rarely reach 100% even when biodegradation is 100% - because of biomass formation – (ISO 17088 6.3.1.3).

In addition, independent ecotoxicological studies according to OECD Standards found no adverse effects on terrestrial plants or earthworms. Additional investigations showed that the material did not leave microplastics.

The ten independent studies completed during 2024–2026 are summarised below, with each entry limited to the study subject, laboratory, applicable standard and report date.

Extensive independent testing has also been conducted on products containing a Symphony d2w masterbatch, which demonstrate that if the product is collected at end of life it can be safely recycled with ordinary plastic without the need for separation.

Growing International Interest

Symphony is engaged in an increasing number of discussions with governments, industry bodies, universities, environmental stakeholders and commercial organisations across multiple regions of the world who all need a practical and scientifically supported solution to plastic waste, environmental protection, and consistency with a circular economy.

The Company believes that all these studies provide an important contribution by demonstrating that d2w technology is supported not by theory, opinion or marketing claims, but by a substantial body of accredited scientific evidence.

Importantly, this independent testing programme builds upon almost four decades of scientific research, product development, commercial application and technical evaluation on polyolefin materials by Symphony.

Symphony is actively engaging with UK Government departments to secure an understanding of the global potential of d2w - a cost-effective British technology designed to tackle plastic pollution and persistent microplastics, while maintaining consistency with a circular economy.

Michael Laurier, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"The completion of this programme marks an important milestone for Symphony. We have now assembled what we believe is one of the most comprehensive packages of evidence available for polyolefin products incorporating biodegradable technology."

"Importantly, these studies do not look at just one aspect of performance. Together they evaluate biodegradation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, ecotoxicity, environmental safety, plastic remnants, microplastics, and recyclability. The resulting evidence provides a coherent picture of the fate of d2w plastics at the end of their useful life."

"The timing is particularly relevant. Worldwide, we are seeing increasing interest from governments, regulators, environmental agencies, brand owners, investors, academics and other stakeholders who recognise that plastic pollution remains an urgent challenge and who are looking for solutions supported by robust scientific evidence.

We look forward to engaging with them as they seek practical, cost-effective, scalable and scientifically credible solutions for managing plastic waste and protecting the environment - without the need to ban products which are useful for their citizens."

"For many years discussions in this sector have been confused by assumptions, opinions, or incomplete or misleading studies. We believe that completion of the programme announced today shifts that discussion towards robust independently generated scientific data.”