Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanogate coats Europe's largest city tunnel in Stockholm

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Abstract:
NanoGuard(TM)StoneProtect is to enhance 55,000m2 of tunnel system

Nanogate coats Europe's largest city tunnel in Stockholm

Saarbrücken, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden | Posted on July 30th, 2008

Nanogate (ISIN DE000A0JKHC9) and its cooperation partner ALRON, a Swedish manufacturer of special chemical products for the construction industry, have been awarded a prestigious contract by the city of Stockholm. In the city's Södra Länken tunnel system, which is about 16 km long in total, all of the exposed concrete is to be coated using Nanogate Technology(TM). NanoGuard(TM)StoneProtect will reduce dirt adhesion significantly, making cleaning much easier. The operator will thereby incur lower cleaning costs and be able to reduce considerably the use of environmentally harmful cleaning agents.

The Södra Länken tunnel system is the largest in Sweden and the largest city tunnel in Europe. Constant exhaust fume pollution forces the operators of the tunnel, the sides and ceiling of which are clad in exposed concrete, to undertake cleaning operations regularly at great effort and expense. In addition, traffic must be diverted during cleaning, which leads to considerable indirect costs and imposes a major burden on Stockholm's entire traffic system, its inhabitants and, not least, the environment.

Coating reduces dirt adhesion significantly. The tunnel will no longer need to be cleaned as frequently and aggressive cleaning agents can be largely dispensed with. Simple water treatment is all that is needed to clean the dirt from the concrete. Even highly stubborn grime is easier to remove. The markedly reduced dirt adhesion will improve road safety in the tunnel as the exposed concrete can serve as a reflecting surface once more. The project's sales potential runs into low-end six-digit figures.

For Ralf Zastrau, CEO of Nanogate AG, the contract is a signal. 'This key order from Stockholm shows that we are ahead internationally with our Nanogate coating system and that our technology has opened up another new market,' he said. 'Among other things, the NanoGuard(TM) product family makes an attractive contribution in the increasingly important area of 'green nanotechnology'.'

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About Nanogate AG
Nanogate is a leading international enabler in the nanotechnology growth market and so opens the gate to this technology for its customers. The Saarbrücken-based firm enables the programming and integration of additional properties such as non-stick, anti-bacterial, anti-corrosive, ultra-low friction. Nanogate thereby gains a competitive edge for its customers by product refinement using chemical nanotechnology. Nanogate covers a wide range of industries, functions and substrates already on the basis of technology platforms. The company thus provides a decisive interface for the commercialisation of chemical nanotechnology, bridges the gap between raw materials and their industrial conversion into products and concentrates as an enabler on one of the most attractive segments in the industry. As a partner in innovation, Nanogate provides many services along the value chain - from development and production of innovative nanocomposites and nanostructured materials to powerful support for innovation and product integration.

The Nanogate Group currently has 60 employees in all (as of 31 December 2007) and since commencing operations in 1999 has been a pioneer in nanotechnology. Nanogate is a high-growth company and has operated profitably since financial year 2004. In financial year 2007 it boosted consolidated sales by about 32.8% to around EUR 10.4 million. The earnings before taxes (EBT, according to IFRS) increased by about 32.8% to around EUR 1.5 million. The company has first-class customer references, such as ABB, BSH Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte, Kärcher and Koenig & Bauer AG, and many years' experience of different industries and applications. It has also entered into strategic cooperation with US companies Dow Corning and Ceradyne/ESK Ceramics and Authentix and with Giesecke & Devrient. The Group's consolidated entity includes Nanogate Advanced Materials GmbH, which specialises in safety engineering and optics. Nanogate also holds an investment with a majority option in Holmenkol AG.

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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