Naturally Advanced Technologies and Tuscarora Yarns Partner; Plan to Expand Innovative CRAiLAR Flax Fiber Applications

    




 VANCOUVER, BC and PORTLAND, OR, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Naturally Advanced  Technologies Inc. (NAT)  , which produces and  markets one of the first new natural fibers in decades, CRAiLAR®,  announced it will partner with Tuscarora Yarns, one of the world's  premier yarn innovators, to explore a host of new blended yarns using  CRAiLAR Flax. 

 Under the terms of the non-exclusive, non-transferable license,  Tuscarora Yarns will design and manufacture highly specialized CRAiLAR  Flax fiber yarns and related products for sale and distribution to  third party licensees of CRAiLAR. 

 "Tuscarora is one of the most innovative yarn spinners in the world, and  has the ability to prepare us for entry into several unexplored  categories such as couture fashion, sports performance, extreme weather  gear, and certain sectors of home furnishings," said Ken Barker, CEO of  NAT. "This agreement will seek to push the applications of CRAiLAR  beyond our first phase of cotton blending and establish new market  sectors for this unique and sustainable natural fiber." 

 The proprietary CRAiLAR enzymatic process, developed by Vancouver-based  NAT in conjunction with the National Research Council of Canada, turns  natural bast fibers—such as flax, hemp, jute, and kenaf - into soft,  finished textiles that are as comfortable as cotton, but more durable  and eco-friendly. The result is a product that can integrate with  existing technology for spinning, weaving, or forming fabric, which can  be used across categories such as apparel, footwear, work wear, and  domestic textiles. Additionally, CRAiLAR can be used for a number of  industrial applications. Since March 2011, NAT has announced  commercialization or development agreements for CRAiLAR Flax fiber with  HanesBrands, Georgia-Pacific, Levi Strauss & Co., Cintas, Carhartt,  Ashland, Westex, Brilliant Global Knitwear and Target. 

 About Tuscarora Yarns Tuscarora Yarns is a maker of specialty yarns headquartered in Mt.  Pleasant, N.C. The company has been a reliable resource for the apparel  and textile industry since 1899. Tuscarora is one of the leading  manufacturers of heather and mélange yarns in the world. The company  also serves the automotive and home furnishings markets. For more  information about the company, please visit www.tuscarorayarns.com. 

 About 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. 

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.


CONTACT:  Media Contact:Ryan LeverenzNaturally Advanced Technologies(415) 999-1418ryan.leverenz@naturallyadvanced(dot)com Investor Contact:Rick AnguillaGuidance Counsel(503) [e-mail] Officer:Guy PrevostCFO(866) [e-mail] 


    

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