Biome Tech Regulatory News (BIOM)

3 Oct 2005 07:00

Stanelco PLC03 October 2005 3rd October 2005 Stanelco plc ("Stanelco" or "the Company") Biotec seeks Patent Disposal and GREENSEAL Update Stanelco, the RF (radio frequency) applications group, has undertaken a fullreview of its Biotec Holdings GmbH ("Biotec") patent portfolio, following itsjoint acquisition with SP Metal of the Biotec business on 5th September 2005. As part of this review it has identified two specific patents that are not coreto the future direction of the Biotec business under its new ownership. The twopatents, one granted (application EP0861036-A1) and one pending (EP1567025-A),both apply to biodegradable starch-based cigarette filters. Although Stanelcoand SP Metal believe these patents may represent an immense opportunity ofconsiderable value to the tobacco industry, they agree that they are not part oftheir future business plans for Biotec. As a result Stanelco plans to divest of the patents and the directly relatedintellectual property (IP) that has been developed. Potential buyers of the relevant patents and related IP are now being activelysought. Stanelco will announce further details of the disposal process in duecourse. The adoption of Stanelco's GREENSEAL Technology under the ASDA contractcontinues to progress in line with expectations, with a number of machines dueto enter commercial operation in the coming weeks. Major steps are also beingmade in both Europe and North America towards the commercialisation of a numberof projects, particularly those involving Biotec's materials and Stanelcointends to update the market with these developments shortly. Ends For further information please contact: Ian Balchin, Chief Executive Stanelco PLC Tel: +44 (0)2380 867100 Jonathon Brill/Billy Clegg Financial Dynamics Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113 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 replace • and 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. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange