Stanelco (LSE:SEO), the RF (radio frequency) applications group, is pleased to announce full food contact approval has now been granted in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all food categories for its Starpol 2000 biodegradeable packaging material.

This follows Stanelco's earlier announcement on October 12, 2005, regarding the food contact approval of its Starpol 2000 biodegradable packaging material, following extensive analysis and testing carried out by PIRA International (Packaging International Research Association).

Full commercial trials are now underway in the U.S. and further details of these will be announced in due course.

Howard White, Managing Director of Stanelco, commented: ``This is a major step forward in taking our products and technology into the U.S. marketplace. We are excited about the prospects for Starpol 2000 as a global standard in packaging materials. We will update the market as our commercial trials take place.``

About Stanelco PLC

The Stanelco Group of companies (the Group) has brought together expertise in radio frequency (RF) technology, RF applications and biodegradable material sciences to create a revolutionary range of packaging technologies.

Stanelco's philosophy is that new products and processes must offer solutions and applications which:

-- give higher added value,

-- are greener, more environmentally sustainable than those they replace, and

-- have protectable intellectual property rights.

Stanelco will develop the products and processes to a demonstration stage and then work with partners in order to reach the markets; and under these circumstances Stanelco will usually seek to license its technology. Stanelco invests considerable time and resources in ensuring its technologies are protected via layers of patents wherever possible. In this way, Stanelco believes it can minimize commercial risk and preserve the highest value for shareholders. The products offering the prospect of near term revenue generation are being given priority over the Group's resources.

Stanelco was founded in 1953 and is a world leader in the development of radio frequency technologies for processing polymers for edible and packaging applications and the design and manufacture of optical fiber technology, induction heating and dielectric welding equipment. Stanelco's current developments include GREENSEAL food tray lidding technology, STARPOL (starch/pva blended material), STARPOL 2000 (highly functional, low cost biodegradable packaging material with food contact approvals), FrogPack high impact low cost packaging format, CradleWrap range of biodegradable air cushion packaging, Soluble tape, 100% water-soluble films and adhesives, Biodegradable Airbag (void fill) packaging, edible hard-shell capsule technology, water-soluble detergent capsules, edible sachets and waste packing.

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