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Naturally Advanced announces CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp test results


PORTLAND, OR, July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. ("NAT" or the "Company"), a developer of proprietary technologies for the processing and production of environmentally sustainable natural fibers and materials, today announced recent test results for its CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp.

CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp Results

The Company recently tested CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp with technology development partner the Alberta Research Council ofEdmonton, Alberta, Canada. Test results indicate that the Company's CRAILAR(R) technology produces a very high grade dissolving pulp with high Viscosity, Brightness and Alpha Cellulose values, and low Ash Content and Acetone Extractives. CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp was determined to also yield higher levels of pulp (55%) than is currently yielded by today's softwood dissolving pulps (32-36%).

         --------------------------------------------------------------------
               Attribute               Unit       Softwood         CRAILAR(R)
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         Dissolving Pulp Yield           %           32-36                55
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         Viscosity                   cm(3)/g           550               786
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         Brightness                   % ISO      90.5-92.0              92.8
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         Alpha Cellulose                 %       95.5-96.5              98.1
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         Ash Content                     %       0.03-0.08              0.05
         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         Acetone Extractives             %            0.08              0.01
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

Viscosity gives an indication of the average degree of polymerization of the cellulose and is a measure of a fluid's thickness. Brightness is a measure of how much light a sheet of pulp will reflect, and speaks to the material's whiteness. The Alpha Cellulose figure corresponds to the pulp's purity and the amount of non-cellulose impurities that exist in the pulp. Viscosity, Brightness and Alpha Cellulose metrics are more optimal the higher the number. Other metrics such as Ash Content and Acetone Extractives speak further to the material's purity and efficiency of processing, with lower results being more optimal.

"These test results indicate that our CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp can deliver cost-effective, natural fiber-based solutions for textile, pulp & paper and bioplastics applications," said Ken Barker, CEO of Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. "CRAILAR(R)'s superior performance profile is apparent in these test results and we are looking forward to bringing CRAILAR(R)'s stream of value added products to market beginning in 2009."

The CRAILAR(R) technology platform is being developed by Naturally Advanced to create high value products in textile, pulp & paper, bioplastics, biofuels and medical industries, global markets totalling $850 billion. The CRAILAR(R) platform is comprised of 4 divisions: CRAILAR(R) Organic Fibers, CRAILAR(R) Bio-fuels, CRAILAR(R) Agriculture and CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials. CRAILAR(R) Advanced Materials Dissolving Pulp is expected to be able to be used in performance apparel, pulp & paper and bioplastics markets, applications that amount to over $200 billion globally. CRAILAR(R) technology is patent protected.

ABOUT Naturally Advanced Technologies, Inc.

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. ("NAT" or the "Company") is committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibers. NAT, 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 withCanada'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, NAT 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. NAT is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Exchange under the symbol 'NAT' as well as on the OTCBB under the symbol 'NADVF'.

    www.naturallyadvanced.com

    Safe Harbor Statement

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934 and the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is subject to safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of risks, including, but not limited to, technological and operational challenges, needs for additional capital, changes in consumer preferences, risks associated with: market acceptance and technological changes; dependence on manufacturing and material supplies providers; international operations; and competition.

CONTACT: Investor Contact: Toby Reid, Investor Relations, Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc., (604) 683-8582 x107, ir@naturallyadvanced.com; Media Contact: Summer Facchini, Black Lab Communications, (503) 830-5983, summer@blacklabcommunications.com

SOURCE Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.

Tags: ,TEX,ENV,Naturally-Adnced-test

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