OREANDA-NEWS. September 03, 2015. An international forum, organised by Instutuo de Asistencia en Investigaciones Ecologicas, AC, held in Mexico, has confirmed that plastics made with oxo-biodegradable technologies were 100% biodegradable, not toxic, and recyclable.

The forum was held on 27 August 2015 at Fundacion Miguel Aleman, A.C and had a panel consisting of Prof. Jose L. Mateos from the National University of Mexico, National Researcher and Lomnitz Prize of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Distinguished speakers included Dr. Dominique Fromageot of Blaise Pascal University in France, Dr. Alethia Vazquez Morillas of Universidad Aut?noma Metropolitana, Azcapotzalco, of Mexico, Prof. Telmo Ojeda of the Federal Center for Technological Education of Brazil, and Mr. Eduardo de la Tijera Coeto of Inbioplast Industriales of Mexico.

This important event was moderated by Luis Manuel Guerra Garduno, better known as "Quimico Guerra."

The forum was attended by Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony, as well as world leaders in oxo-biodegradable plastics with an involvement in the protection of the oceans.  Mr. Laurier attended the event with Mauricio Yanez from Plastic Solutions.  Michael Laurier had spoken in March at the United Nations in the 'One Ocean, Science for Sanctuaries Symposium."

Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony said, "Mexico is a pioneering country in Latin America, and we look forward to working with industry to upgrade from conventional to Controlled-life plastics, and to also resolve the many issues in relation to health caused by dangerous bacteria, mould and fungi.

"We look forward also to working with our selected commercial partners to build on progress already made and to make Mexico an even better country."

The technical forum in Mexico was followed by an event for industry and the press on 28th August at the British Embassy in Mexico City at which Symphony launched its d2p, d2t and w2v technologies. The Director of UK Trade and Investment for Mexico, Stephen Cartwright, said, "Symphony's advanced technology is a good example of British innovation, which will help Mexico and the whole of Latin America to deal with its environmental and public health concerns."

Symphony's d2w oxo-biodegradable technology causes ordinary plastic to convert at the end of its useful life in the presence of oxygen into biodegradable materials, and is the only oxo-biodegradable product to be awarded an Eco-label. The criteria that Symphony had to satisfy to obtain the Eco-label were to preserve environment quality and minimise pollution caused by the production, use and disposal of plastic products. It is also the only oxo-biodegradable product with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that confirms it as the best environmental option for shopping bags and packaging.

Symphony has undertaken fundamental research into oxo-biodegradation over many years, most recently at Nottingham University's Microbiology Investigation Centre in the UK, where ADP/ATP tests according to the AFNOR Accord T51-808 proved the biodegradability of Symphony's d2w plastics.

In addition, Symphony's d2p "designed to protect" range is now available in many different formulations. These formulations provide finished products with anti-microbial, anti-fungal and insecticidal properties, and a new flame-retardant formulation is also available. The d2p range of products is supplied as polymer master-batch or active powders and can be incorporated into the normal manufacturing process of finished products without any change to the existing product or process.

Some of the prime markets for d2p will be kitchen utensils, fridge liners, toys, potties, cutting boards, water pipes, water tanks, air-filters, tooth brushes and gloves amongst many others. In the food-processing industry the applications extend to paints, laminates and packaging for use in dairy, bakery and post-harvest applications. The d2p flame retardant technology will be supplied into most types of semi rigid and rigid applications where fire retardant benefits are needed. Other d2p products are designed for protection against insects, and in particular mosquito where better controls are needed in relation to Malaria.

Symphony has also developed the d2Detector®, a portable device which analyses plastics and detects counterfeit products, and is used to enforce legislation in 11 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East requiring plastics to be oxo-biodegradable.  Symphony's d2t tagging and tracer technology is also available for total security. See www.d2t.net

Symphony has 74 distributors around the world, and products made with its technologies are now available in 97 countries. Symphony is certified to ISO9001 and ISO14001.

Symphony is a member of The Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association (www.biodeg.org) (OPA), the Society for the Chemical Industry (UK), and the Pacific Basin Environmental Council. 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).