Symphony to supply Superfos with oxo-degradable additive

The contract is for a minimum of five years and was signed by the Symphony’s French distributor, Alternative Plastics.

The deal gives Superfos exclusive rights across the European Union to manufacture a range of top-filled injection moulded rigid plastic packaging using d2w.

The product range will include food packaging such as salad tubs, as well as non-food items such as paint pots, which will sport the d2w droplet logo.

“We are very pleased to be associated with Superfos on its initiative to improve and launch its top-filled injection-moulded rigid packaging products with d2w controlled life oxo-biodegradable technology,” said Michael Laurier, Symphony’s chief executive.

“This is also a major step forward for Symphony and the rigid plastics industry and shows the world by example that there are solutions available to improve the environmental aspect of rigid plastic packaging.”

Separately, Superfos has agreed to sell its US business (Superfos Packaging) to Berry Plastics Corporation. Berry will pay about £82m for the business. Superfos’s US business turned over $46.8m in 2008 and employs around 180 staff.

In July, Symphony reported that its gross profit for the first half of 2009 was £1.93m, nearly double that of the same period in 2008.

Symphony has 48 distributors in 76 countries. Any product containing its additives carry the d2w droplet logo.

Recyclability debate

In June, the North London-based firm was embroiled in a heated debate with European Plastics Recyclers about the recyclability of the additives. But Symphony maintained they can treated as normal plastics. 
 
Director Michael Stephen commented on packagingnews.co.uk that the only issue that could arise would be if recyclate of unknown provenance was used to make high-quality long-life products.

“In such a case stabilisers should be added, whether the recyclate contains d2w additive or not. These will also neutralise any residual effect of the additive which may exist,” he said.

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