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Naturally Advanced Technologies Reports ARC Licensing Agreement

Posted on: Monday, 22 December 2008, 07:00 CST

PORTLAND, OR, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT, OTCBB: NADVF, TSXV: NAT), a pioneer in commercializing the use of bast fibers including industrial hemp, was granted a world-wide exclusive, royalty bearing license from the Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) to ARC's decortication process for generating clean fibers from the straw of bast fiber crops and to ARC's method of degumming lignocellulosic fibers to produce dissolving pulp fibers. Press release notice of this license agreement falls under standard compliance requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Ken Barker, CEO of NAT, stated, "Our research relationship with ARC began several years ago resulting in the creation of a Master Services Agreement for Technology Development signed effective January 1, 2007. Under that agreement NAT has exercised its option for a world-wide exclusive licence to utilize the ARC technologies to produce CRAILAR(R) Dissolving Pulps. NAT intends to establish commercial partnerships to manufacture and market this advanced technology for large-scale production. Near-term opportunities include consumer absorbent pulp and paper products and performance yarns used in performance and protective apparel, as well as plastics and composites applications in the longer-term."

About Naturally Advanced Technologies, Inc.

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. is committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibers. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Crailar Fiber Technologies Inc., is developing proprietary technologies for production of bast fibers, cellulose pulp, and their resulting by-products, in collaboration with Canada's National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council. CRAILAR(R) technology offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable processing and production of natural, bast fibers such as hemp and flax, resulting in increased performance characteristics for use in textile, industrial, energy, medical and composite material applications. The Company is also a provider of sustainable, environmentally friendly fibers and fabrics through its apparel division HTnaturals. Founded in 1998 in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly, socially responsible clothing, the Company adheres to a "triple bottom line" philosophy, respecting the human rights of employees, the environmental impact of the Company's operations and fiscal responsibility to its shareholders. See www.naturallyadvanced.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information and including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to: any market interruptions that may delay the trading of the Company's shares, technological and operational challenges, needs for additional capital, changes in consumer preferences, market acceptance and technological changes, dependence on manufacturing and material supplies providers, international operations, competition, regulatory restrictions and the loss of key employees. In addition, the Company's business and operations are subject to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-KSB, Form 10-QSB and other SEC filings which are available through EDGAR at www.sec.gov. These are among the primary risks we foresee at the present time. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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