Biome Tech Regulatory News (BIOM)

12 Oct 2005 07:00

Stanelco PLC12 October 2005 12 October 2005 Stanelco plc (Stanelco" or "the Company") Approval of Starpol 2000 Biodegradable Packaging Material and ASDA Exclusivity Stanelco, the RF (radio frequency) applications group is pleased to announcefood contact approval for its biodegradable packaging material known as Starpol2000 and the granting of a short exclusive period to ASDA stores Limited (ASDA)to evaluate its applications. Starpol 2000 has been fully approved for use in food contact applications forall food categories throughout the European Union following analysis and testingcarried out by PIRA International (Packaging International ResearchAssociation). Food contact approval has also been granted for Starpol 2000 for all fruit andvegetable categories in the USA, with tests continuing for contact with allother food types to US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) standards. Stanelco and ASDA have agreed a 30 day exclusivity period for ASDA to approvethe Starpol 2000 material for use with Stanelco's GREENSEAL technology(including modified atmosphere packaging) as well as other more generalpackaging applications. Under the agreement Starpol 2000 material has beenreleased to certain ASDA suppliers for trial use in ASDA products. Theexclusivity period is effective in the UK and Ireland. Starpol 2000 is a totally biodegradable packaging material based on sustainablecrop production. It is available in both flexible and rigid forms and is easilythermoformed into food trays and other packaging. Unlike conventional plasticsthe price of Starpol 2000 has little dependence upon oil price. It issubstantially less expensive than most other biodegradable packaging materialsand not significantly greater than conventional plastics. Howard White, Managing Director of Stanelco, commented: "We are delighted that ASDA have decided to consider moving forward with ourStarpol 2000 product as part of their future plans, alongside the Greensealproduct. We look forward to working with them as they once more strive to befirst to market in this exciting new packaging product. With consumersincreasingly demanding environmentally friendly solutions this will give ASDA areal competitive advantage over their competitors. Now it is for the consumerpublic to support and drive the adoption of environmentally responsiblepackaging solutions." Tony Ruane, Technical Compliance Manager at ASDA said: "ASDA welcomes the addition of Starpol 2000 to the successful projects it isalready conducting with Stanelco. "Greenseal technology continues to be an exciting development within the ASDAsupply base and we look forward to the successful introduction of the 200 RadioFrequency Technology Greenseal installations within the timescales alreadyagreed." - Ends - For further information please contact: Ian Balchin, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)2380 867100Stanelco PLC Jonathon Brill/Billy Clegg Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113Financial Dynamics About Stanelco plc The Stanelco Group of companies (the Group) has brought together expertise inradio frequency (RF) technology, RF applications and biodegradable materialsciences to create a revolutionary range of packaging technologies. Stanelco's philosophy is that new products and processes must offer solutionsand applications which: give higher added value,are greener, more environmentally sustainable than those they replaceand have protectable intellectual property rights. Stanelco will develop the products and processes to a demonstration stage andthen work with partners in order to reach the markets; and under thesecircumstances Stanelco will usually seek to license its technology. Stanelcoinvests considerable time and resources in ensuring its technologies areprotected via layers of patents wherever possible. In this way Stanelco believes it can minimise commercial risk and preserve thehighest value for shareholders. The products offering the prospect of near term revenue generation are beinggiven priority over the Group's resources. Stanelco was founded in 1953 and is a world leader in the development of radiofrequency technologies for processing polymers for edible and packagingapplications and the design and manufacture of optical fibre technology,induction heating and dielectric welding equipment. Stanelco's Currentdevelopments include GREENSEAL Food tray lidding technology, STARPOL (starch /pva blended material), FrogPack high impact low cost packaging format,CradleWrap range of biodegradable air cushion packaging, Soluble tape, 100%water-soluble films and adhesives, Biodegradable Airbag (void fill) packaging,water-soluble detergent capsules, edible sachets and waste packing. GREENSEAL, STARPOL, Frog Pack and CradleWrap are all trademarks of the Stanelcoplc group. About PIRA International Pira is a leading commercial consultancy, testing and media business whichspecialises in retail supply chain technologies related to industries such aspackaging, paper, plastics, printing, publishing and consumer goods. Pira hasestablished a reputation as one of the key knowledge providers in these industrysectors. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange