Canadian govt policy shift re. single use plastics

Symphony Environmental Tech. PLC

22 December 2025

 

22 December 2025

SYMPHONY ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES PLC

("Symphony", the "Company" or the "Group")

Canadian Government (a G7 Nation) Policy Shift

Strengthens Case for d2w® Oxo‑Biodegradable Technology

Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc (AIM:SYM), global specialists in technologies that make plastic and rubber products "smarter, safer and sustainable welcomes the Government of Canada's announced amendment to the Single‑Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, confirming that the previously scheduled export ban on six categories of single‑use plastics will not proceed. (There is no blanket ban on oxo-degradable or oxo-biodegradable plastics).

The Government acknowledged that an export ban would not reduce global plastic pollution, while causing significant economic harm to domestic manufacturers. This reinforces the need for science‑led differentiation between plastic types rather than broad, undifferentiated bans.

This development directly supports Symphony's long‑standing position that d2w® oxo‑biodegradable technology provides a proven, environmentally responsible end‑of‑life pathway for plastics that escape collection systems. Unlike oxo‑degradable products, which merely fragment into microplastics, d2w® oxo‑biodegradable plastics meet the definition set out in CEN TR 15351 and are tested against international standards to demonstrate full biodegradation in the open environment - converting into CO₂, water, and biomass.

Furthermore, d2w® plastics remain fully recyclable during their service life and, when recycling is not possible, provide an "organic recycling" route within the circular economy. With plastics already offering the lowest life‑cycle environmental impact and lowest cost among major materials, d2w® strengthens their environmental performance by eliminating long‑term persistence in the environment.

Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony commented:

"Canada's decision confirms what we have always argued: banning plastics does not reduce pollution - but improving them does. That this decision comes from a G7 country makes it a particularly material step forward, underscoring the need for clearer, science‑based regulatory distinctions between different types of plastics.

The global policy conversation is shifting toward science‑based solutions, and d2w® is exactly that. Our oxo‑biodegradable technology is not oxo‑degradable; it does not fragment into microplastics. It is recognised under CEN TR 15351 and independently validated through international standards to fully biodegrade in the open environment, providing a genuine organic recycling pathway when mechanical recycling cannot be achieved.

Plastics remain the lowest‑impact, lowest‑cost material available, and the world depends on them. d2w® enhances their environmental profile without sacrificing their essential economic benefits. As governments increasingly acknowledge that blanket bans are ineffective and often counterproductive, we will continue to demonstrate that d2w® is a vital part of a modern circular economy - one that reduces plastic pollution through innovation rather than prohibition."

For further information, please contact: Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc
Michael Laurier, CEO	[phone]
Ian Bristow, CFO
www.symphonyenvironmental.com
Zeus (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
David Foreman / Emma Burn (Investment Banking)	[phone]

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Symphony Environmental

Symphony's d2w masterbatch technology is added to polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) products at the manufacturing stage at little or no extra cost, and ensures that if they get into the environment at the end of their useful life they will not create microplastics and lie or float around for decades.  Instead they will safely biodegrade, leaving no microplastics or toxicity. If they get collected during their useful life they can be recycled with ordinary PE and PP without separation See  https://www.biodeg.org/subjects-of-interest/recycling-2/

Symphony also supplies a range of plastic technologies under its d2p (designed to protect) brand www.d2p.net to provide protection against insects, viruses, bacteria, fungi, rodents, odours, and fire.  It has also introduced a new product under its NbR brand https://www.symphonyenvironmental.com/natural-biodegradable-resin/ to reduce the amount of fossil-derived material in plastic products.

Symphony has a diverse and growing customer-base and has established itself as an international business with over 70 distributors around the world. Products made with Symphony's plastic technologies are now available in nearly 100 countries and in many different product applications. Symphony itself is certified according to ISO9001 and ISO14001.

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).

Further information on the Group can be found at www.symphonyenvironmental.com  and twitter @SymphonyEnv  

See also Symphony on Instagram and Linkedin.

 

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