PORTLAND, OR and VANCOUVER, BC, June 7,
2011 /PRNewswire/ - Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.
(NAT) (OTCBB: NADVF) (TSXV: NAT) today announced that it has
entered into a short-term CRAiLAR® Flax fiber development agreement
with Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) beginning June 2011 to support evaluation of processing
CRAiLAR flax fiber in corporate identity uniform programs.
"Cintas is the leading uniform brand in the U.S. and we are
looking forward to supporting their manufacturing processes," said
Ken Barker, CEO of NAT. "This
agreement is further validation that NAT promises a significant
impact for global corporations from both a sustainability and
performance standpoint. We look forward to showing Cintas how
CRAiLAR can perform across its product categories."
Based on previous testing, the companies expect CRAiLAR Flax
fiber to deliver increased durability and longevity to the uniform
market due to the tensile strength of CRAiLAR. In addition,
CRAiLAR's ability to wick moisture should provide users of Cintas
uniforms a more comfortable uniform to wear in hot summer
months.
Since March, NAT has announced a 10-year purchasing agreement
with Hanesbrands, along with development agreements with
Georgia-Pacific and Levi's. Hanes
represented the first commercialization agreement for its CRAiLAR
flax fiber. They anticipate further marketing plans for Hanes to be
announced later this year.
About Cintas:
Headquartered in Cincinnati,
Ohio, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized
services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures
and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides
entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid
and safety products, fire protection services and document
management services to approximately 800,000 businesses. Cintas is
a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard &
Poor's 500 Index.
Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.
Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. develops renewable and
environmentally sustainable biomass resources from flax, hemp and
other bast fibers. The Company, through its wholly owned
subsidiary, CRAiLAR® Fiber Technologies Inc., has developed
proprietary technologies for production of bast fibers, cellulose
pulp, and their resulting by-products in collaboration with
Canada's National Research Council. CRAiLAR technology
offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable processing
and production of natural, bast fibers 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. For more information, visit
www.naturallyadvanced.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this 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-K, Form
10-Q 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.