CRAiLAR Pamplico Facility Commissioned
Full production on schedule to commence December 28
VICTORIA and PORTLAND, OR, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – In line with the
announcement last month, CRAiLAR Technologies Inc. (“CL” or the
“Company”) (TSXV: CL) (OTCBB: CRLRF) commissioned its first full-scale
CRAiLAR manufacturing facility in Pamplico, S.C., on Monday, December
17.
“This is a milestone event for us as a company and an industry partner,
heralding a new era in sustainable natural fibers for multiple market
applications”, said Ken Barker, CEO. “We are particularly excited about
the level of fiber quality our new state of the art facility will
deliver. This uniquely innovative facility will not only deliver on
production volume, but will equally showcase process efficiencies and
product enhancements which are needed by our business partners around
the world.”
The CRAiLAR team is working with the equipment manufacturer’s
representative onsite at the Pamplico facility on a variety of
activities. This includes commissioning of auxiliary motors, which
began last week slightly ahead of schedule, with start up moving into
the decortication line components this week.
The manufacturer’s representative is onsite making instantaneous tuning
adjustments with the CRAiLAR operations team, implementing safety
procedures, call signals and stops. With operating system software and
connectivity in place and trial runs ahead, it is anticipated that bulk
fiber production runs and adjustments for quality control will be
completed ahead of the planned December 28 production commencement
date., outlined on the Corporate Update call in October.
Reiteration of Production Expectations
The Company plans to tier its output at the facility beginning with an
anticipated 150,000 lbs. per week in January, increasing to 300,000
pounds per week in February and then to level off in the short-term at
450,000 pounds per week thereafter. By the end of 2013, we anticipate
the commissioning of expanded production capacity at the facility of
600,000 lbs. per week and to achieve a total production capacity of
more than one million pounds of CRAiLAR Flax Fiber per week by year-end
2013.
About CRAiLAR Technologies Inc.
CRAiLAR® Technologies Inc., previously Naturally Advanced Technologies
Inc., offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable natural
fiber in the form of flax, hemp and other bast fibers for use in
textile, industrial, energy, medical and composite material
applications. Produced using a fraction of water and chemical inputs
compared with other natural fibers, CRAiLAR Flax is the newest natural
fiber introduction to the market in decades. The Company supplies its
CRAiLAR Flax to HanesBrands, Georgia-Pacific, Brilliant Global
Knitwear, Tuscarora Yarns and Target Corp. for commercial use, and to
Levi Strauss & Co., Cintas, Carhartt, Ashland, PVH Corp. and Lenzing
for evaluation and development. The Company was founded in 1998 as a
provider of environmentally friendly, socially responsible clothing.
For more information, visit www.crailar.com.
ADVISORY: This press release contains forward looking statements which may
include statements concerning completion of any proposed acquisitions,
capital programs, debt, funds flow from operations, and the anticipated
use of the net proceeds of the Private Placement. Although CL believes
that the expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because CL can
give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward
looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very
nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Any proposed
acquisition may not be completed if required approvals or some other
condition to closing is not satisfied. Accordingly, there is a risk
that any proposed acquisition or offering will not be completed within
the anticipated time or at all. The intended use of the net proceeds of
the Private Placement by CL might change if the board of directors of
CL determines that it would be in the best interests of CL to deploy
the proceeds for some other purpose.
The forward looking statements contained in this press release are made
as of the date hereof and CL undertakes no obligations to update
publicly or revise any forward looking statements or information,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
unless so required by applicable securities laws.
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the
contents of this press release.
SOURCE Crailar Technologies Inc.
