Milliken Introduces BioSmart Antimicrobial Protective Fabrics

Business Wire, June 11, 2007

LAS VEGAS -- Today at the 2007 CLEAN Show, Milliken[R] & Company, one of the world's largest privately-held textile and chemical manufacturers, announced BioSmart[TM], a new antimicrobial-charged fabric technology that harnesses the sanitizing power of EPA-registered chlorine bleach* to help reduce the spread of infection-causing bacteria and viruses, including emerging antibiotic-resistant microbes like MRSA. Products made with BioSmart are key to effective infection prevention strategies and programs in the workplace, in community settings and at home.

"BioSmart extends the capabilities of EPA-registered chlorine base sanitizers - proven hygienic agents that do not promote resistant microbes - to maintain an effective antimicrobial barrier against contamination," said Travis Greer, senior technologist for Milliken's Apparel and Specialty Fabrics division "We're excited to partner with leading manufacturers to bring BioSmart products to market."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection in the United States and are a common cause of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) like pneumonia, surgical wound infections and bloodstream infections. While the majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in healthcare settings, it is becoming more common among competitive sports participants and people within community settings including schools, daycare facilities, health clubs and prisons.

BioSmart can be applied to synthetics, cotton and poly/cotton fabrics and are ideal for industries where bacterial contamination is a concern, including food processing and services, healthcare, public safety, hospitality, sports apparel, activewear and military.

BioSmart fabrics are non-irritating to the skin and have passed the ISO skin irritation and skin sensitivity tests. It is both durable and effective for the life of most garments -- the fabric technology literally recharges after every washing so it is always functioning at full strength thus providing a longer shelf life and optimizing value for manufacturers, laundries and consumers alike. In addition, BioSmart fabrics are odorless, dry quickly and wick moisture.

BioSmart is currently available in butcher coats and other garments for the food safety and processing industries through G&K Services. Product plans are under way with a number of manufacturers in the healthcare, uniform and consumer products markets.

BioSmart is a patent-pending textile technology that binds chlorine molecules to the surface of fabrics. Independent, outside testing has demonstrated that when BioSmart fabrics are laundered according to care instructions with EPA-registered chlorine bleach*, the chlorine killed 99.9 percent of common bacteria and viruses including Salmonella Choleraesuis, Escherichia Coli, MRSA, and Hepatitis A.

Milliken will demonstrate BioSmart at the 2007 CLEAN Show, June 11-14, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information about BioSmart, contact Milliken at (864) 503-2322.

About Milliken & Company[R]

Founded in 1865, Milliken & Company is a privately held textile and chemical company that employs approximately 10,000 associates worldwide. Milliken operates nearly 50 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and eight countries. Having over 2,000 patents issued or applied for, the company produces over 19,000 high performance products. To learn more about Milliken, please visit the Company's web sites at www.milliken.com and at www.millikenapparelfabrics.com.

* When laundering according to care instructions on the care label of EPA-registered bleach.