Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanogate supports Oeko-Institute with standardised evaluation of nanotechnology’s potential for sustainability

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Abstract:
The Nano-Sustainability Check, a new instrument sponsored by the German Federal Environment Agency and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and developed by the Oeko-Institute, enables the uniform evaluation of nanoproducts. One case study for significant CO2 reductions was a UV coating recently developed by Nanogate.

Nanogate supports Oeko-Institute with standardised evaluation of nanotechnology’s potential for sustainability

Göttelborn, Germany | Posted on May 24th, 2011

Nanogate AG (ISIN DE000A0JKHC9), a leading international integrated systems provider for nanosurfaces, was one of two partners, alongside BASF, in the project Nano-Sustainability Check as an Instrument of Self-Analysis run by Oeko-Institut e.V. The Nano-Sustainability Check measured a significant environmental benefit from using the innovative UV-protective coating compared with the use of conventional technologies.

The new analysis matrix that aims to identify environmental benefits and/or drawbacks as well as risks and challenges for the market introduction of products and nanomaterials comes to the following conclusion for the Nanogate coating: "The glass surface coated with nanoparticles results in a longer useful life for glass products combined with high UV protection. The greater durability results in a 30 % CO2 reduction thanks to the overall low use of energy."

Ralf Zastrau, CEO of Nanogate AG, commented: "The subject of energy efficiency will become more and more important in the years ahead. Even though we have already achieved great success in deploying sustainable products in industry, we believe that greater global efforts to protect the climate will result in further considerable growth. With our portfolio of applications Nanogate is well equipped to participate in this growing market."

The pro.Glass® Barrier 401 system provides an optically neutral barrier coating against ultra-violet light, which is easier to clean, less prone to scratching and impervious to household detergents. With pro.Glass® Barrier 401, objects that are particularly sensitive to UV light, such as works of art, pictures and exhibits, can be effectively protected.

Nanogate promotes a process of public dialogue
Nanogate has been involved for many years in promoting a process of active public dialogue in order to bring nanotechnology products to market with a high degree of transparency. Its deep-seated commitment to the development of the Nano-Sustainability Check underlines this ambition and is one of a large number of other projects: COO Michael Jung was a member of the German federal government's NanoKomission, which was active until February 2011, and the speaker of a focus group looking at the opportunities and risks presented by nanomaterials. In the NanoKon project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research, Nanogate is part of a team working to develop new safety regulations and tests for the use of nanoparticles in medicine. The EU project "NanoSustain" focuses on the sustainable use of nanotechnology.

Since 2009 all of Nanogate's activities and products for protecting the environment and the climate have been bundled under the Green Nano© label. Nanogate is thereby consistently pursuing the goal of carrying on sustainable business based on nanotechnology. This principle is both a key long-term growth driver for Nanogate and a contribution to resolving the issues of energy efficiency and environmental protection that affect the whole of society. Nanogate's environmental management has been certified since 2007.

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About Nanogate AG
Nanogate is the leading international integrated systems provider for nanosurfaces, concentrating primarily on enhancing high-performance surfaces. The firm, which is based in Göttelborn (Saarland), enables the programming and integration of additional properties – such as non-stick, antibacterial, anti-corrosive and ultra-low friction – into materials and surfaces. As an enabler, Nanogate gains a competitive edge for its customers by means of product refinement using chemical nanotechnology. Nanogate covers a wide range of industries, functions and substrates. The company thus provides a decisive interface for the commercial use of chemical nanotechnology and bridges the gap between the suppliers of raw materials and industrial conversion into products. In doing so, Nanogate concentrates as an enabler on one of the most attractive segments in the industry. Nanogate has a unique combination of extensive materials expertise paired with comprehensive, first-class process and production know-how. As a systems provider, Nanogate covers the entire value chain, from the purchase of raw materials, to the synthesis and formulation of the material systems, right through to the enhancement and production of the finished surfaces. Nanogate focuses primarily on plastic and metal coatings for all surface types (two and three-dimensional components).

The Nanogate Group currently has approximately 250 employees in all and since commencing operations in 1999 has been a trailblazer in nanotechnology. The company has first-class customer references (e.g. Audi, BMW, Bosch-Siemens Haushaltsgeräte, Junkers, Kärcher, Hörmann Group, Opel and REWE International AG) and many years’ experience of different industries and applications. Several hundred projects have already gone into mass production. Nanogate has also entered into strategic cooperations with international companies such as the GEA Group and Dow Corning. Nanogate consists of Nanogate Industrial Solutions GmbH, Eurogard B.V., FNP GmbH for products in the sport/leisure sector, majority stakes in Holmenkol AG and GfO Gesellschaft für Oberflächentechnik AG, and an equity holding in sarastro GmbH.

Disclaimer:

This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor an invitation to buy securities. The shares in Nanogate AG (the "Shares") may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of "U.S. persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")). No offer or sale of transferable securities is being made to the public outside Germany.

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Contacts:
Christian Dose (financial press and investors)
Cortent Kommunikation AG
Tel. +49 (0)69 5770 300-0

Liane Stieler-Joachim
Nanogate AG
Tel. +49 (0)6825 9591 220

Nanogate AG
Zum Schacht 3
66287 Göttelborn, Germany