Biome Technologies

The activities of Biome Technologies are split into two divisions: Bioplastics and Stanelco RF Technologies. Both divisions are underpinned by the group’s skills in the commercialisation and development of innovative technology.

The Group’s core strategy is to develop and broaden its bioplastics business organically through the exploitation of higher value areas where the properties of bioplastic materials are most suitable and valued.

The Group is engaged with a variety of large-scale international customers and partners on a number of key commercial and development partnerships.

These target applications in food, horticulture and electronics markets, amongst others, to exploit the Group’s existing and new products.

R&D at Biome Technologies seeks not only to enhance the functional characteristics but also reduce the cost base of its products. The Group protects its existing intellectual property in a robust manner and protects new developments through patents and confidentiality.

Biome Technologies is driving an international expansion of its activities and now operates in Europe, North America and Asia. The headquarters and R&D activity is based at Southampton in the UK.

Following 3 years of rapid sales growth, Biome Technologies listed on the AIM market in July 2010. AIM is the international market for growing companies trading on the London Stock Exchange. Such a listing allows both existing and new shareholders to participate in the growth of the group. Previously, Biome Technologies was listed on the main market as Stanelco plc.

The Group has robust ethical and governance policies and a Board committed to driving enhanced shareholder value.

Divisions

Biome Bioplastics is a leading innovator and supplier of plastics made from renewable resources and is a wholly owned subsidiary. Commercial strategy and development is driven from its UK base in Southampton. Sales are supported through a direct team and network of agents through three continents. The businesses science based approach ensures that new materials are designed from the molecule upwards resulting in materials that perform. New products are often developed in association with leading international companies.

Biotec is a 50% owned joint-venture based in northern Germany and is believed to be one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its type in the world. Biotec was acquired in 2005 and provides manufactured bioplastic product to Biome Bioplastics in addition to collaborating in the development of new materials. Biotec is jointly owned with SPhere S.A. of France, also a customer of Biotec, and is managed through an Advisory Board.

In combination these companies provide advanced product development, manufacturing and commercial capabilities to the emerging bioplastics market.

The strategy for this division is to:

• build a clear market leading position in bioplastics based on patented technology
• develop from existing patent/technology base a range of new functional products in application areas where premiums can be obtained
• create and build bioplastic markets by working intimately with consumer facing international business
• drive differentiation by developing and retaining a team that is recognised as head and shoulders above the competition in application and product engineering.

For more information on Biome Bioplastics please click here to view their website

Stanelco RF Technologies designs, builds and services advanced radio frequency (RF) systems. Dielectric and induction heating products are at the core of a product offering that ranges from portable sealing devices to huge furnaces for the fibre optics market. The business is based in Southampton, UK, with a customer base that spans the globe. The experienced staff design and build both standard products and complex custom systems that are designed with cost and efficiency in mind.

Innovation lies at the core of the business capability and this has resulted in a leading position in the supply of advanced fibre optic furnaces to many of the world's leading producers of fibre.

“Stanelco” is a byword for safety and quality in the RF market and the business now has over 60 years of experience and knowledge. Recent changes have seen a growing position in export markets, particularly Asia, as the business has sought to leverage this knowledge more widely.

The Technology

Radio Frequency (RF) Technology

Since the early days of radio communication, experts in the field have known that many kinds of materials in a high-frequency field exhibit a heating effect. There are two methods of heating, depending on the material to be heated – Dielectric heating and Induction heating.

Stanelco RF Technologies is proud to have been developing and supporting a full range of radio frequency applications since the 1940s. Dielectric heating is particularly relevant to welding plastic sheet materials. RF Induction heating is applicable to precise heating of electrically conductive materials.

Uses

Fibre Optics

Stanelco RF Technologies has been a leading supplier of Induction Furnace systems to the Fibre Optic manufacturing industry since the late 1990’s. Since its introduction to this high tech industry, Stanelco has had a program of continual improvements in order to maintain its position as one of the leading suppliers to the industry.

Stanelco’s range of furnaces is currently being used in many Fibre Optic applications including Fibre Drawing, Preform Stretching, Core Rod manufacturing and Preform Shaping.

Plastic Welding

Stanelco plastic sheet welders pass a high frequency electromagnetic field through a material to generate heat and create a controlled weld. The welders are economic and reliable and are used by manufacturers to weld a variety of PVC and PU items such as medical, packaging and stationary products. The welding is clean, waterproof and strong. The process is easy to operate and no special skills are required. Welds of excellent appearance are consistently produced.

Stanelco Dielectric Welders are a fast and cost effective solution offering the very latest in technology with proven mechanical reliability. The welding is controlled so the material is not overheated or degraded and the welds are stronger than stitching or an adhesive bond.

Induction Heating

Stanelco Induction Heating equipment uses readily available electric power to generate a high frequency electromagnetic field. This field induces a current to flow in the work material which causes heat to be generated. By controlling the field, precise areas can be heated to exact temperatures. The technology offers a clean, fast and cost efficient method for heating many materials for a variety of processes.

Stanelco has a wide range of experience with induction heating applications and can offer its customers any level of equipment be it from our standard product range or bespoke to suit a customers individual requirements.

For more information on Stanelco RF Technologies please click here to view their website

John F Standen, aged 62, Non Executive Chairman

John became our Non-Executive Chairman in 2007. John is Non Executive Chairman of Lavendon Group plc. He is also Chairman of Council at the University of Hull. John was previously Non-Executive Chairman of Reg Vardy plc until its sale in

2006. He spent his career in corporate finance and was Chief Executive of BZW Corporate Finance before retiring from Barclays Bank plc in 1998.

Paul R Mines, aged 48, Chief Executive Officer

Paul was appointed CEO in early 2007.  An engineer with an MBA from London Business School, Paul spent his earlier career at ICI plc and Courtaulds plc and has 17 years experience in the plastics and packaging industry, managing high growth markets, turnarounds and M&A. For the eight years to 2006, Paul was CEO of the Betts Group having led a management buy-out of the company from Courtaulds plc. He was recently Non Executive Chairman of CEL-F Solar Systems Limited (trading as Ecolution), a renewable energy business backed by HBOS growth capital.

Declan L Brown, aged 37, Group Finance Director 

Declan was appointed Group Finance Director on 1 November 2011. Prior to joining Biome Technologies plc, he was Chief Financial Officer for V.Ships Capital, part of V.Group, the world's largest shipping services provider, privately owned by Omers Private Equity. Prior to this he worked for Philip Morris Limited, Sappi Fine Paper plc, Standard Bank PLC and KPMG, with whom he qualified as a chartered accountant.

Michael Kayser, aged 55, Independent Non Executive Director

Michael was appointed as Non Executive Director on 6 October 2010 and chairs the Audit and Remuneration Committee.  His previous experience includes Group Finance Director at Laporte PLC for five years and Finance Director of Guinness Brewing Worldwide. He is currently Non-Executive Director of Stobart Group plc.

• As of 12 July 2010, the Company has 5,884,866,333 ordinary shares on issue. Shares not in public hands are approximately 25%
• As at 31 January 2012, significant beneficial shareholders holding 3%+ of issued capital are:

Holder	%
TD Direct Investing	10.0%
Mr V Pereira	9.6%
JM Rushton Turner	9.5%
Barclays Wealth Clients	9.2%
Halifax Share Dealing Clients	8.3%
LLoyds Share Dealing Clients	4.8%
Hargreaves Lansdown Clients	4.8%
Schroders Investment Management (UK)	4.6%

• As at 31 January 2012, Directors holdings of issued capital are:

Holder	%
Mr Paul Mines	0.86%
Mr John Standen	0.44%
Mr Michael Kayser	0.17%
Mr Declan Brown	0.03%