Bioplastics group Symphony Environmental Technologies plc (LON:SYM) has signed a three-year deal with Pakistan International Airways to convert the airline's plastic packaging into d2w biodegradable plastic.
PIA is the first airline in the world to convert all of its flexible plastics to d2w oxo-biodegradable technology.
The carrier can now be certified in Pakistan by the country's Environmental Protection Agency as a zero pollution airline.
Michael Laurier, Symphony’s chief executive, said: "We are delighted that PIA have chosen to use d2w oxo-biodegradable plastic technology in their commitment to help protect the environment from accidental littering of plastic.”
Symphony’s technology is based oxo-biodegradeable additives that encourage oil–based plastic to decompose more easily in environments such as the sea.
Ian Bristow, finance director, added the order gave it considerable kudos as airlines are extremely fussy in their procurement and PIA was a major carrier in an important country.
Soft plastics such as duty free bags, plastic for cutlery, the bags headphones go in would be the main products made by the new plastics though some rigid plastics might be as well, he said.
Etihad already uses its products and airlines are one of a number of markets that the company is trying to develop for D2W technology, including retail, agricultural film and industrial bags.
Shares rose 13% to 6.67p.
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