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Naturally Advanced Technologies Enters Agreement for the Manufacturing of Crailar Organic Fibers

Posted on: Wednesday, 29 July 2009, 06:05 CDT

PORTLAND, OR, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT, OTCBB: NADVF, TSXV: NAT) a company committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibers, signed an agreement with G.J. Littlewoods Son, Inc. to manufacture Crailar(R) Organic Fibers for use in commercial products made by apparel companies.

Littlewoods, located in Philadelphia, is a commission dyehouse, specializing in the dyeing of synthetic fibers, as well as natural fibers. It intends to use state-of-the-art conventional machinery to process Crailar.

"We are excited to have signed the foremost fiber processor/dyer in North America for the next step in executing our Crailar Organic Fibers commercialization plan," stated Ken Barker, CEO of NAT. "In September, we expect to begin producing approximately 20,000 pounds of fiber per week for our apparel partners as well as provide testing yarns to spinning companies for the home furnishings, denim and work wear markets. As such, we anticipate delivering our first revenue from Crailar in the fourth quarter. Our agreement secures initial capacity of approximately 40,000 pounds per week, with the capability to aggressively ramp up from there to meet the needs of our commercialization plans."

Crailar Organic Fibers is a proprietary enzymatic processing technology for transforming bast fiber into superior organic fiber for apparel, home furnishings and carpeting applications. The enzyme bath produces fibers that are used as a more cost-comparable and sustainable alternative to organic cotton.

In November 2008, the company announced test results from its trials at North Carolina State University, which were sponsored by Hanesbrands Inc. In the trials, the testers spun hemp yarn and knitted fabric on conventional cotton equipment with no modifications using Crailar Organic Fibers technology. The resulting yarn was knitted into a five-ounce per square yard jersey fabric, which resulted in a 50% reduction in shrinkage, a 45% increase in tensile strength, a 20% reduction in dye uptake, and demonstrated wicking capabilities.

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 was founded in 1998 as a provider of environmentally friendly, socially responsible clothing and 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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