Announcement
Biome Technologies : Update on biodegradable tree shelter project
RNS Number : 4343L
Biome Technologies PLC
13 January 2021
REACH
13 January 2021
Biome Technologies plc
("Biome", the "Group" or the "Company")
Biome successfully completes feasibility phase of biodegradable tree shelter project
Biome's Bioplastics division ( www.biomebioplastics.com ) announces the successful completion of its three-month feasibility project to develop and test a new generation of biodegradable tree shelters to be manufactured from the Company's bioplastics.
Tree shelters protect young trees and bushes from predation by animals. They are a well-proven and economic route to limiting losses in the first five years of a tree's life. Traditionally made from oil-based and non-biodegradable plastics, the majority of such shelters are never collected and eventually litter the environment with microplastics.
In the UK, around 45 million trees are planted each year, most of those using non-biodegradable tree shelters for protection, with an estimated 2,500 tons of persistent plastics ending up annually in the natural environment after use. Plans to significantly increase tree planting as part of the UK's drive to mitigate climate change will exacerbate these problems.
The initial feasibility project has allowed the Company to explore the performance of a variety of bioplastic materials in this application and culminated in the manufacture of prototypes at Biome's customer's premises.
The polymers that Biome are using in this project are bio-based and biodegradable. Some are novel and represent some of the results of over six years and £6.5 million of directed investment in research collaboration between Biome and a number of the UK's leading universities. The development of biodegradable tree shelters is the first potential commercial application arising from this collaborative group's endeavours. The polymers used in this particular project are partly based on furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) monomeric building blocks. More information regarding the processes for the formation of FDCA can be found on the Company's website, https://biomebioplastics.com/industrial-biotechnology/ .
This feasibility project was supported by a funding contract between Biome and the UK Government's agency, Innovate UK, as part of the Sustainable Innovation Fund (SBRI Phase 1). The Company has tendered for a further contract under SBRI Phase 2 with a view to starting large-scale field trials of novel biodegradable tree shelters during 2021.
To provide investors with more details on the scientific approach to this project and its future path to prospective commercialisation, the Company has commissioned a short explanatory video that can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/494238613 .
-Ends-
For further information please contact: Biome Technologies plc
Paul Mines, Chief Executive Officer
Donna Simpson-Strange, Company Secretary
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 867 100
Allenby Capital
David Hart/Alex Brearley (Nominated Adviser)
Kelly Gardiner (Sales and Corporate Broking)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3328 5656
About Biome
Biome Technologies plc is an AIM listed, growth-orientated, commercially driven technology group. Our strategy is founded on building market-leading positions based on patented technology and serving international customers in valuable market sectors. We have chosen to do this by developing products in application areas where the value-added pricing can be justified and are not reliant on government legislation. These products are driven by customer requirements and are compatible with existing manufacturing processes. They are market rather than technology-led.
The Group comprises two divisions, Biome Bioplastics Limited and Stanelco RF Technologies Limited.
Biome Bioplastics is a leading developer of highly-functional, bio-based and biodegradable plastics. The company's mission is to produce bioplastics that challenge the dominance of oil-based polymers.
Stanelco RF Technologies designs, builds and services advanced radio frequency (RF) systems. Dielectric and induction heating products are at the core of a product offering that ranges from portable sealing devices to large furnaces for the fibre optics markets.
www.biomebioplastics.com and www.thinkbioplastic.com
www.stanelcorftechnologies.com
About Reach announcements
This is a Reach announcement. Reach is an investor communication service aimed at assisting listed and unlisted (including AIM quoted) companies to distribute media only / non-regulatory news releases into the public domain. Information required to be notified under the AIM Rules for Companies, Market Abuse Regulation or other regulation would be disseminated as an RNS regulatory announcement and not on Reach.
This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
END
NRADKBBQNBKDDDD
;