Novamont, who produces the biopolymer Mater-Bi, took the company to court on the basis that the information constituted unfair competition and mis-information to the consumer.

In its decision, the court ruled that merely because an additive was added that caused a plastic material to degrade more than traditional plastic did not justify the claim that it was "suitable for making biodegradable products in accordance with UNI EN 13432." As in that case, the material itself must comply with the standard, and pass the biodegradability tests prescribed therein. Kromabatch, said the court, had misrepresented the nature of the product in question, advertising this as suitable for achieving a biodegradability level in conformity with the requirements set down in UNI EN 13432.

The court further found that it was the duty of every entrepreneur in the industry to "scrupulously check the accuracy of the commercial information conveyed " on the market. It therefore forbade Kromabatch from making any claim that the additive d2w could "confer biodegradability" upon traditional plastics in accordance with standard EN 13432, ordered the company to pay damages, and to insert a notice of the decision of the court in the Corriere della Sera and in the Italian trade publication Polimerica. Kromabatch was also required to publish a notice of the decision on the homepage of  its website for two months.

"It 's an important decision because it supports all companies operating in the innovative field of biodegradable plastics who respect the rules governing the communication to the consumer," said the Commercial Director of Novamont Alessandro Ferlito. "Next to aiding purchasing decisions that contribute to improving both environmental conditions and the lives of consumers, observing these rules also serves as a significant driver of innovation in our industry," added Ferlito.

The first-instance judgment of the Court of Milan may be appealed by Kromabatch within the period prescribed by the law.

Predictably, the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association erupted in response to the ruling, ridiculing the decision and accusing Novamont of using legal actions to try to put their competitors out of business. The OPA also suggested that "perhaps Novamont has too much influence in Italy. The Italian government have been persuaded to pass a national law to prefer Novamont's products, which is contrary to EU law. The OPA has made a formal complaint to the EU Commission about it."