Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC (LON:SYM) said that Brazilian supermarket chain Cotripal has launched a new range of shopping bags using its technology.
The carrier bags contain both Symphony’s d2w (biodegradable) and d2p (antimicrobial) additives and will be made by Plastifilme, which has been working with d2w since 2004.
Testing of d2p samples by UNICAMP University in Brazil according to ISO 21702 found a virus reduction of 99.9% in only one hour, said Symphony, which is vital during the coronavirus pandemic.
Symphony noted that d2p has also been proved effective against bacteria and fungi, which is important as many carrier bags are never disinfected and are left in the car where microbes can multiply quickly.
As the antimicrobial properties are embedded in the plastic, they will never wear off, unlike spraying, wiping, or coating, it added.
In a statement, Germano Döwich, president of Cotripal said: "Cotripal was the first supermarket in the State of Rio Grande do Sul to use d2w to protect the environment. Now we are the first in Brazil to adopt d2p as well for our carrier bags, to protect the health of our customers against microbes in these pandemic times."
Michael Laurier, Symphony’s chief executive added: "We are delighted to continue our long-standing and valued relationship with Cotripal and Plastifilme, and hope that other, environmentally and socially responsible companies around the world will follow Cotripal's lead in protecting their customers and the environment alike."