Biotech Opens New Markets for Hemp Textiles
Monday, 06 February 2006 13:53
A revolutionary biotech enzyme fiber process turns industrial hemp into soft, white fiber, called CrailarTM. If current pilot-scale projects are successful, the result should be large-scale commercial textile applications in apparel, home wares, flooring and other uses.That's the future if all goes as planned for Vancouver, Canada-based Hemptown Clothing Inc. as it moves toward full commercialization of CrailarTM, its biotech enzyme fiber process.
#1. Hemptown Teams With Alberta Research Council, Apparel Brands 1/12/2006 Vancouver - Vancouver-based Hemptown Clothing Inc. has contracted the Alberta Research Council (ARC) to help commercialize its CrailarT textile fiber technology, which was developed jointly with the National Research Council of Canada. Additionally, the company is supplying alternative textiles to apparel brands Serum Versus VenomT (SVSV), New York City, and Triple Five Soul, Los Angeles, for their newest fashion lines. ARC will conduct pilot tests on samples of the enzyme process that changes industrial hemp into soft, white fiber, called Crailar, as part of the effort to develop large-scale commercial textile applications in apparel, home wares, flooring and other uses. The enzyme will be applied to full pilot plant samples to make 100-kilogram bundles of refined hemp fiber. The process and end product is considered eco-friendly as hemp may be grown organically and without the fresh water irrigation required by cotton, according to Hemptown. "This is a key time in the development of Crailar. We look forward to seeing the results of ARC's tests and appreciate their help in assessing Crailar as a viable biotech tool in the processing of hemp," said Jerry Kroll, CEO, Hemptown. In other company news, SVSV and Triple Five Soul will use Hemptown's bamboo and soy fabrics in their street-inspired apparel. "Our partnership with SVSV will promote alternative organic fabric to a mainstream customer," said Jason Finnis, president, Hemptown. "This alternative fabric line will go a long way to promote organic textiles as a fashion item." For more information: http://www.htnaturals.com/ http://www.naturallyadvanced.com/s/CRAILAR.asp SOURCE: Hemptown Clothing Inc. #2. Hemptown appoints Kenneth Barker to board of directors 23-Year Apparel Industry Veteran Delivering Business Investment and General Management Expertise VANCOUVER, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Hemptown Clothing Inc., (HPTWF: OTCBB) a Vancouver based eco-friendly apparel company, today announced it has appointed to its board of directors Kenneth Barker, 49. With the addition of Barker, the board is now comprised of six members. "For approximately a year, Ken and his colleagues at The Meriwether Group have consulted with us and delivered upon a number of strategic initiatives," stated Jerry Kroll, CEO. "Financially, the team has secured strategic funding. Operationally, Meriwether connected us with the S Group, which is now managing product-based design and development for HT Naturals(TM) clothing. Regarding sales and marketing, Ken and his partners have introduced us to potential key development partners. I am delighted to welcome Ken to our board. We believe his expertise in corporate marketing and investment, combined with his extensive experience in general and athletic apparel merchandising, will be a tremendous asset as we carry out the planned commercialization of CRAILAR(TM), our new biotech enzyme fiber process." Barker added, "In this past year, a rapidly increasing number of textile manufacturers as well as industrial companies have been looking for sustainable materials to improve their product lines, as well as provide environmental benefits. In all sectors of the apparel industry, many brands are choosing environmentally friendly garment production to appeal to the evermore socially responsible consumer. CRAILAR is a disruptive technology we believe will improve sustainable fabrics and composites production and I am excited to be part of the commercialization process." Barker is co-president of The Meriwether Group, a Portland-based business acceleration and investment company, formed in 2004. Prior to The Meriwether Group, he was director of apparel for Adidas® America, where he was responsible for the entire Adidas US apparel business. Barker also served as business unit manager of apparel for Adidas Canada. Before joining Adidas, Barker was general merchandise manager at Levi Strauss and Co. Canada, where he oversaw both Levi's® and Dockers® brands. Born in South Africa, Barker started an athletic apparel company in 1983 which he ran until emigrating to Canada in 1998. About Hemptown Clothing Inc. and CRAILAR(TM) Hemptown Clothing Inc. (HPTWF: OTCBB) doing business as Hemptown was founded in 1995 in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly, socially responsible clothing. Hemptown is developing a revolutionary biotech enzyme fiber process named CRAILAR(TM) in collaboration with Canada's National Research Council and Alberta Research Council. CRAILAR is an enzyme process that easily transforms raw hemp fiber into strong and soft apparel-quality fabric, resulting in a fabric with the economic potential of cotton at an environmentally sustainable level. In its ten year history, Hemptown has shipped more than 500,000 garments reducing chemical use by 86,634 pounds and saving 452,232,264 gallons of fresh water. Hemptown respects human rights of employees, the environmental impact of the company's operations and fiscal responsibility to its shareholders. About The Meriwether Group The Meriwether Group is a business acceleration and investment firm, headed by seasoned senior executives with a combined thirty years experience with iconic brands in the apparel, footwear, accessory, fashion and natural product industries. For more information on The Meriwether Group, Click Here. 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 For further information please contact Investor Relations, Kirsten Chapman or Moriah Shilton, both of Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , +1-415-433-3777 For more details on the NRC enzyme process, Click Here.