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8 July 2025

SYMPHONY ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES PLC

("Symphony", the "Company" or the "Group")

UPDATE ON APPROVAL FROM THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

D2W BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC

COMPLIANT WITH EU DIRECTIVE

Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc (AIM:SYM) global specialists in technologies that make plastic and rubber products "smarter, safer and sustainable", is pleased to make this updated announcement following guidance and clarification from the Office of Environmental Enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Republic of Ireland, a member-state of the European Union.

The EPA statement of 20^th June 2025, repeated below, does not change:

"Following a thorough review of the submitted documentation and relevant scientific studies, we can confirm that d2w products do not fall within the scope of Directive (EU) 2019/904, which prohibits the use of certain plastic materials due to their contribution to microplastic pollution.

The d2w technology has been scientifically demonstrated to undergo full biodegradation without leaving behind persistent microplastics or toxic residues. This conclusion is supported by independent studies and aligns with the objectives of the Directive to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable alternatives.

Furthermore, we have reviewed the Commission Notice (2021/C 216/01) published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 7 June 2021, which provides guidelines on the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/904. Based on the evidence submitted, we are satisfied that d2w products are not subject to the restrictions outlined in the Directive or its accompanying guidelines."

Our announcement of the 23 June repeated verbatim the approval we had received from Ireland, but the heading was technically incorrect. In the view of the EPA of Ireland, and based on the scientific evidence relating to d2w, only plastic products made with d2w are proven to fully biodegrade without leaving persistent microplastics or toxic residues, and are therefore different to oxo-degradable or oxo-biodegradable plastics as defined by the EU Directive 2019/904 or the EU Commission Notice 2021/C 216/01, which states that such plastics do not properly biodegrade and leave persistent microplastics.

Therefore, d2w biodegradable plastics are confirmed by the EPA of Ireland to be compliant with the EU Directive. Additionally, d2w biodegradable plastics are compatible with the EU Plastic Strategy.

Symphony's CEO, Michael Laurier, said. "We are very pleased to receive this further guidance and clarification from the EPA in the Republic of Ireland. Having now clarified this important issue, we see no reason why d2w products should not now be sold and used in every member-state of the EU. We are confident that it is better for Europe's environment for plastic to be made so that it quickly biodegrades leaving no toxic residues, instead of lying or floating around for decades and creating microplastics." See https://www.biodeg.org/bpa-briefing-note-oxo-biodegradable-plastic/

Enquiries:

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Symphony Environmental

Symphony's d2w masterbatch technology is added to polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) products at the manufacturing stage at little or no extra cost, and ensures that if they get into the environment at the end of their useful life they will not create microplastics and lie or float around for decades.  Instead they will safely biodegrade, leaving no microplastics or toxicity. If they get collected during their useful life they can be recycled with ordinary PE and PP without separation See  https://www.biodeg.org/subjects-of-interest/recycling-2/

Symphony also supplies a range of plastic technologies under its d2p (designed to protect) brand www.d2p.net to provide protection against insects, viruses, bacteria, fungi, rodents, odours, and fire.  It has also introduced a new product under its NbR brand https://www.symphonyenvironmental.com/natural-biodegradable-resin/ to reduce the amount of fossil-derived material in plastic products.

Symphony has a diverse and growing customer-base and has established itself as an international business with over 70 distributors around the world. Products made with Symphony's plastic technologies are now available in nearly 100 countries and in many different product applications. Symphony itself is certified according to ISO9001 and ISO14001.

Symphony actively participates in the Committee work of the British Standards Institute (BSI), the American Standards Organisation (ASTM), the European Standards Organisation (CEN), and the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

Further information on the Group can be found at www.symphonyenvironmental.com  and twitter @SymphonyEnv  

See also Symphony on Instagram and Linkedin.