Announcement
Biome Technologies : Update re biodegradable tree shelters
RNS Number : 0193Q
Biome Technologies PLC
25 October 2021
25 October 2021
Biome Technologies plc
("Biome", the "Group" or the "Company")
Update re biodegradable tree shelters
Biome's Bioplastics division ( www.biomebioplastics.com ) announces the commencement of large-scale UK-wide field testing and initial commercial sales by Suregreen of biodegradable tree shelters using the Biome's proprietary bioplastics materials. Extended field testing of approximately 40,000 shelters at more than 40 sites is being carried out in close collaboration with Suregreen, a leading UK-based manufacturer of tree shelters.
The biodegradable tree shelters are designed to provide the benefits of traditional shelters for five years but to biodegrade naturally and harmlessly over the subsequent two years, offering an environmentally sustainable solution that improves forestry yields. The natural decay of the shelters has been demonstrated through extensive accelerated weathering, biodegradation in the laboratory and initial field testing.
Having developed these tree shelters in association with Suregreen (supported by a development contract from Innovate UK as part of the Sustainable Innovation Fund (SBRI Phase 2)), Biome and Suregreen will now monitor the product's performance to confirm high sapling survival rates in forestry conditions over the next few years. Customers can now also purchase the shelters made out of Biome's biodegradable materials from Suregreen under the "Vigilis Bio" brand ( http://www.sure-green.com/vigilis-bio.html ).
These trials come at a time when the UK prepares to host the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Glasgow, also known as COP26. Biome is signed-up to the United Nations' Race to Zero campaign, and this product demonstrates its support for the UK achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Paul Mines, Biome Technologies' Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"Extensive field testing is the next step to commercialisation of the novel biodegradable tree shelter at scale. We're looking forward to validating our results over the coming years in a diverse range of climates by demonstrating how our biodegradable materials can protect saplings in the early years after planting and are confident that biodegradable tree shelters will play a meaningful role in sustainable forestry and the UK's net-zero ambitions."
Editor's notes:
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 not collected and 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, resulting in an estimated 2,500 tons per annum of persistent microplastics remaining in the natural environment after use.
Plans to significantly increase tree planting have been announced recently by the UK Government in the Net Zero Strategy to triple planting rates from 13,660 hectares across the UK in 2020 to 30,000 hectares each year by the end of this Parliament.
More details on the scientific approach to this project and its future path to fuller commercialisation can be found in a short explanatory video commissioned by the Company that can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/gd6nsuYXopw .
Suregreen has also released a video https://youtu.be/-77nbgeuUhU and explanatory webpage www.sure-green.com/vigilis-bio.html supporting the launch of the tree shelters.
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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 Suregreen
Suregreen is a leading manufacturer and e-commerce supplier of products for the forestry, fencing and landscaping markets. Situated in Essex, it offers nationwide delivery using a range of its own craned vehicles and national transport providers. Further details can be found at www.sure-green.com
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