News Release

28th February 2008

Allergy Sufferers Set to Breathe More Easily Thanks to Award-Winning Evolon^® Mite-Proof Encasings

Comfortable, eco-friendly fabric offers perfect protection against dust mite allergens

Thanks to the unique features of its innovative Evolon^® fabric, performance textile manufacturer Freudenberg Evolon is set to deliver new benefits to allergy sufferers. The company has just received a prestigious European seal of quality in recognition of the functional attributes delivered by Evolon when used in mite-proof encasings.

Freudenberg Evolon was awarded the independent seal of the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF), which aims to help allergic patients select the appropriate goods and services, by certifying the quality of products as well as services according to strict standards. Evolon was awarded the coveted seal of quality thanks to itsability to provide the perfect physical layer to protect against dust mite allergens. The company is also the first to be awarded the accreditation in relation to encasings.

Evolon’s structure of tightly entangled microfilaments helps prevent the onset of rhinitis and allergic asthma by creating a natural and compact protective layer against microscopic allergen particles that proliferate in mattresses, duvets and pillows. This physical, dense structure ensures that the very small dust mite allergen parts are retained under the Evolon layer, preventing contact with the allergy sufferer. Importantly, the protection delivers constant performance even after repeated washings at 95°C.

Further benefits are provided by Evolon’s unique ability to combine good textile and mechanical properties. The rustle-free fabric is soft, comfortable and light, and avoids the disadvantages of traditional Polyurethane or PVC coated encasings. These invariably offer a reduced level of breathability, humidity absorption and evaporation ability, all of which induce sweating and decrease the level of comfort.

Evolon also offers increased benefits above anti-mite methods that use chemical treatment, whose potentially long-term adverse health effects are less certain when compared to Evolon, which is produced thanks to a solvent- and binder-free manufacturing process and from stable raw materials that are safe for the environment.

Guenter Schmitt, Market Manager Home & Industrial Furnishings Europe at Freudenberg Evolon, comments, “Evolon’s ability to offer a natural and physical barrier that is 100% safe, comfortable and effective makes it the method of mite-proof protection recommended by medical specialists.”

He adds, “As a result, Evolon mite-proof mattress, pillow and duvet encasings bridge the gap between performance and comfort, representing a significant leap for dust mite allergy sufferers everywhere.”

Evolon’s award of the ECARF seal was based on its ability to meet the stringent testing and validation criteria of various independent institutes. Evolon has also been granted the Oeko-Tex mark (standard 100, product class 1), which certifies it is free of harmful substances and suitable for contact with baby skin.

Evolon encasings can be bought from the major manufacturers and distributors of mite-proof encasings, especially in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK, some of which are listed by country on Evolon’s website www.evolon.com

ENDS

About Freudenberg Evolon

Headquartered in Colmar, France, Freudenberg Evolon is part of Freudenberg Nonwovens.

Freudenberg Nonwovens is the world's largest producer of nonwovens, with 23 manufacturing and processing sites in 13 countries. Last year, the group realized sales of over 800 million Euros and has over 4,800 employees worldwide. The company is part of the Freudenberg Group, which, together with the Nonwovens, Seals and Vibration Control Technology, Household Products and Specialities Business Areas generates sales of around 5.3 billion Euros and has 33,000 employees. Via local sales offices and agents located in the company’s key sales areas of Europe, North America and Asia, Freudenberg Evolon continues to ship to an ever expanding global market.

Freudenberg Evolon is ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 accredited.

For further information, please visit: http://www.evolon.com/anti-dust-mite-encasings.html or contact:

Isabelle Kugler

Freudenberg Evolon - 20 rue Ampère - 68000 Colmar – France

Tel: +33 (0)3 89 20 64 79

E-mail:isabelle.kugler@freudenberg-nw.com

www: www.evolon.com

About ECARF

The European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation – ECARF awards its Seal of Quality to allergy-friendly products and services Europe-wide. The independent seal aims to help allergic patients select appropriate goods and services, by certifying the quality of products as well as services according to strict standards. ECARF is a non-commercial foundation based at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and is specifically committed to research, diagnostics and therapy of allergies. Head of ECARF is Prof. Dr. med. Torsten Zuberbier who is also the spokesperson of the Allergie-Centrum-Charité.

www.ecarf.org

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