Transcript Slide 1

Eco-compatible plastic
March - 2009
Michael Stephens – Technical director
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About Symphony Environmental
Shares traded on ‘AIM’ of the London Stock Exchange also on Plus
Market and Bank of New York and Mellon US ADR program
The only dedicated public quoted company in oxo-biodegradable
plastic technology
Global distribution network. d2wTM is now in more than 50 countries
worldwide
The Global Brand
Global Headquarters – Borehamwood, England -UK
Investment in R & D and current studies on PET and Agriculture Films
High Tech test facilities
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Main board
Nirj Deva,
DL, FRSA, MEP
Chairman
Michael Stephen
Commercial Director
Nicolas Clavel
Hugo Swire, MP
Non Executive
Non Executive
Michael Laurier
Ian Bristow
Michael Stephens
CEO
Finance Director
Technical Director
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Isn’t plastic fantastic?
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Using available resources
Plastic is made from a by-product of oil.
Less than 4% of oil is made into plastic.
it makes good environmental sense to use
it for plastic production, otherwise it could
be flared off.
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Environmental benefits of plastic
Fossil fuel used to produce:
A million square meters of cellophane
A million square meters of PP Film
Energy
180 tonnes
76 tonnes
A million glass bottles
A million PET bottles
230 tonnes
66 tonnes
60 miles of cast iron Pipe
60 miles of Plastic Pipe
2000 tonnes
270 tonnes
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The benefits of plastic packaging
Lightweight
Flexible
Strong/Durable
Heat sealable
Impervious to moisture
Printable
Recyclable
Reusable
By-product of oil refining
but…
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400 years
*FACT
PLASTICS CAN TAKE
UP TO 400 YEARS TO
BREAK DOWN
TRUE
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The Plastic Disposal Issue
Current options on disposal of plastic waste:
Traditional landfill
Incineration
Recycle
Composting
ONLY IF IT CAN BE COLLECTED
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Added Value Solution
The Insurance Policy
d2w® Eco-compatible Plastic Technology
Complete degradation 2 – 5 years after
the end of the products’ predetermined
useful life span*
If littered, degradation can take place
within a few
short months when
exposed to hot climatic conditions
* Depends on product type and exposure conditions
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Responsible use of plastic
The Three R’s
REDUCE:
will reduce the burden of persistent plastic
waste in the environment
REUSE:
based products can continue to be reused for a
finite amount of time
RECYCLE:
based products can be recycled and made
from recycled plastic polymers
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d2w® Eco-compatible additive system
The d2w oxo-biodegradable technology is a
masterbatch system that is added with the basic
polymer resin during the manufacturing process.
No changes to extrusion process required.
No impact on line speeds or plant maintenance.
No requirement for special training for labour.
It is just a process of “adding degradability” to
conventional plastics
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Eco-compatible plastic
Overview
d2w eco-compatible plastic will degrade, then biodegrade, to water,
CO2, biomass and trace elements.
It happens on land or sea, in the light or dark, in heat or cold, in
whatever timescale is required.
Residues
Water
CO2
Biomass
NO ‘‘HEAVY METALS’’
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Types of Degradable Polymers
Hydro-Biodegradable
Oxo-Biodegradable
H2O – Uptake Enzyme mediated
or not
Functional Fragments
O2 – Uptake Catalyst
Oxidized Fragments
Exo-Endo Enzymes
Exo-Endo Enzymes
CO2, H2O, Cell biomass
CO2, H2O, Cell biomass
Polyesters
Polyolefins
Polyamides
Polyvinylalcohol
Polysaccharides
Lingin
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Degradability
Properties of the ideal biodegradable plastic
IPa,b Induction periods during which no change in mechanical
or chemical properties occur
Eb Elongation at break
+ Fragmentation (embrittlement)
G. Scott, Polymers and the Environment, Royal Society of Chemistry, 1999, Charpter 5
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Eco-compatible plastics
The process
Polyolefin consists of long entangled molecular chains.
There is a backbone of Carbon atoms to which Hydrogen
atoms are attached.
The catalytic effect of the d2w additive breaks these chains
by generating free radicals. Theses free radicals combine
with the available oxygen atoms and create hydroperoxides
-which are the precursors to full bio-degradation.
Carbon
degradation is affected by heat,
light, stress and air
Hydrogen
Oxygen
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Eco-compatible plastics
The process
The resulting short chain hydroperoxides are available for consumption by
micro-organisms.
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Micro-organism
(Stenotrophomonas sp., Pseudomonas sp., Rhodococcus sp., Acinetobacter sp. etc)
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Eco-compatible plastics
The Results
After the degradation process the harmless residues are CO2, H2O and
Biomass.
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Micro-organism
(Stenotrophomonas sp., Pseudomonas sp., Rhodococcus sp., Acinetobacter sp. etc)
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Eco-compatible plastics
The process
Polymer
First
stabiliser
Second
stabiliser
Prodegradant
trigger
Prodegradant trigger - The catalytic action creating the free radicals
is arrested and controlled by two stabiliser packages.
The first stabiliser protects the prodegradant trigger transition during
the manufacturing process.
The second stabiliser ensures that the finished product fulfils its
functionality and sustains an adequate shelf life.
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Evidence and facts
Oxo-biodegradable plastic
7 days in bio fertilizer
Normal plastic
7 days in bio fertilizer
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Evidence and facts
Oxo-biodegradable plastic
60 days in solid compost
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Certification European Normalization
The Official Definition
Biodegradation
Degradation of a polymeric item due to cell-mediated
phenomena.
Oxo-biodegradation
Degradation identified as resulting from oxidative and cell
mediated phenomena, either simultaneously or successively.
“Terminology
in the field of degradable and biodegradable Polymers and Plastics”
CEN TC 249/ WG 9
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Facts
Degradability Test Methods
There are five test methods, including CO2 evolution to measure
degradability in plastic packaging materials.
Melt Flow Index; (MFI) this comparative test detects alterations in the
molecular structure of a plastic material after being subjected to accelerated
weathering.
Elongation at Break: this comparative test measures the tensile strength of a
material after being subjected to accelerated weathering.
Molecular Weight; this comparative tests measures the reduction in molecular
weight after accelerated weathering.
Carbonyl Index: this method detects the creation of carbonyl groups within
the plastic material indicating degradation through oxidation after accelerated
weathering. It is comparative, but unlike the alternative tests it is nondestructive. Thus a sample can be placed back in any environment (aqueous,
heated, UV radiated) and then be subjected to further testing. Predicts life
expectancy.
We predominantly utilise carbonyl testing as it provides a clear indication
of oxidation and allows successive testing of samples exposed to
extended weathering exposure.
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Evidence and facts
Melt Float Index - MFI
MFI increase by > 4,000 %
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Evidence and facts
RAPRA Test 46095 April 2006 AN0068
99% LDPE + 1% d2w additive
7 Days UV Exposure
Test No.
Tensile Strength
at Peak (Mpa)
Enlogation at
Break (%)
2
5
4.20
9.25
0.05
0.05
Mean
6.73
0.05
The samples were very fragile and the initial grip separation was
reduced to 90 mm. The elongation results are technically too small to be
accurate when measured with a laser extensometer.
Meets ASTM 5510 elongation at break of less than 5%
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Evidence and facts
Elongation at Break
Black d2w recycled trash can liner 1.2mil
CRIQ File No 640-PE36987 (technical Report)
Evolution of Elongation
Meets ASTM 5510 elongation at break of less than 5%
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Evidence and facts
Molecular weight
Black d2w recycled trash can liner 1.2mil
CRIQ File No 640-PE36987 (technical Report)
A reduction of molecular structure from 225,000 to
< 5000 Mw– confirms this is no longer plastic
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Evidence and facts
Molecular Weight
Rapra confidential technical report 46303
Sample
Run No
Mw
Mn
Mw/Mn
%<5,000
Polyethylene samples
99% 0 days
(RTL 8400/1)
B2930
B2934
76,900
77,300
14,900
14,500
5.2
5.3
6.9
7.1
7 days heat
99% PE
(RTL 8400/3)
B2932
B2935
4,560
4,510
1,290
1,300
3.5
3.5
67.7
68.1
A reduction of molecular structure from circa 77,000 to
< 5000 Mw – confirms this is no longer plastic
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Evidence and facts
FTIR - Carbonyl index
Confirmation of relationship of carbonyl index to
elongation at break.
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Evidence and facts
FTIR - Carbonyl index
Explanation
Bandol UV Ageing LDPE Films- Comparison of Elongation at Break and Carbonyl Optical Density
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0.02
0.018
100
0.016
Delta EaB (%)
0.012
Embrittlement Point
60
0.01
0.008
)Delata OD (1713cm-1
0.014
80
)LDPE Control (Tensile
)LDPE + 1% 93389 (Tensile
)LDPE Control (Optical Density
)LDPE + 1% 93389 (Optical Density
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0.006
0.004
20
0.002
0
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
0
500
5%
Ageing Tim e (Hours)
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Evidence and facts
Carbonyl index by FTIR
Films A (corn) and B (Melon)
Oven Test at 60°C
FTIR test
A
B
Film ¼: in open air
Film 5/8 :in the soil humid close cap
Film9/12 :in dry soil with close cap
Film 13/16: in dry soil without cap
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On- Going Testing
Three Year Compilation of Testing
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Direct food contact safety
All grades of d2w are compliant with the requirements of:
The European Union 2002/72/EEC regulations for Direct Food Contact and all
amendments.
The FDA requirements for direct food contact materials.
ANVISA requirements for Brazilian Direct Food Contact Safety.
The d2w materials have successfully passed European Union migration
tests. Confirmed by US owned - Smithers/RAPRA.
FDA compliance confirmed by US law firm Keller and Heckman
ECO-Toxicity
All grades of d2w comply with the European Normalisation EN 13432
Ecotoxicity Section. Which confirms that no harmful residues remain after
total degradation of the material. ( Tested by OWS, Gent, Belgium)
The Brazilian Report “Program for Composting Oxo-biodegradable Plastic
Residues” confirms that no harmful residues occur in compost after
degradation.
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French Mulch Film trial
Official French Government assessment
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Evidence and facts
d2w vs Mater-bi co2 evolution
Hydro mulching film
Oxo mulching film
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Evidence and facts
Confirmation of EN13432 - (ASTM D6400)
Shopping bag
independant test done by
public laboratory using
normalized condition
ASTM 6400 /EN 13432
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Evidence and facts
Confirmation of CO2 evolution in comparison
to Cellulose
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Evidence and facts
Confirmation of EN13432 - (ASTM D6400)
The film after oxidation (300h wet and dry Cycle) has
reached a level of 82,3% of biodegradation compared to the
reference cellulose.
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Recycling
Polymer Training Limited Recycling Study
August 2008.
CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the Elongation at Break values of the sample
plaques containing the various proportions of d2w regrind have similar
values before and after ageing (both thermal and QUV). This suggests
that incorporating d2w recyclate within a non degradable polymer
matrix does not lead to the accelerated degradation of the resulting
product.
Under QUV ageing there is a progressive decline in EaB value from 0
to 144 hours ageing, but the decline is broadly the same across all
d2w compositions. This suggests that any degradation effect is due to
inherent loss of polymer property rather than due to an acceleration
effect linked to d2w inclusion rate.
It can be concluded that waste plastic materials containing d2w
oxodegradable additives can be added into both non degradable and
degradable formulations without accelerating the degradation of the
resulting product.
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Recycling
Effect of d2w level in recyclate level on Elongation at Break after Thermal Ageing
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Conclusion
Plastic Packaging (including carrier bags)
Plastic products made with d2w® eco-compatible
technology will totally degrade by a process of oxidation
leading ultimately to biodegradation.
Plastic products made without d2w® eco-compatible
technology will totally degrade by a process of oxidation
leading ultimately to biodegradation, but in several
decades.
List of main evidences:
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Biodegradation (Applus)
Compostability (CRIQ)
Degradation in soil (ADEME/AGRICE)
Eco-toxicity (OWS, Ecosigma)
Food contact (RAPRA)
Recycling (PTL)
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www.degradable.net
Eco-compatible Plastic Technologies
“IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT”
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