Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT), which produces and markets CRAiLAR, a natural fibre made from flax and other bast fibres, announced that TSX Venture Exchange has named the Company to its 2012 TSX Venture 50, a list assembled based on quantitative measurement of top performing publicly traded companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). NAT was ranked fourth in Clean Tech sector.

 The 2011 TSX Venture 50 is comprised of ten companies from each of five sectors: Clean Technology, Mining, Oil & Gas, Diversified Industries, and Technology & Life Sciences. The companies were chosen based on the following criteria with equal weight: share price appreciation, market capitalization growth, trading volume, and analyst coverage.

 "It is a testament to the team and to our partners that we maintained a position among the TSX Venture 50 for the second consecutive year," said Guy Prevost, CFO of NAT.

"The past year saw several significant milestones that laid the foundation for the future of NAT, and we anticipate being able to deliver additional milestones in the coming year that will continue to allow the company to make an impact in the world of natural fibres."

The company's performance against TSX Venture 50 criteria for the period closing December 2010 to closing December 2011 included:

• Price per share increase of 60% (C$1.40 to C$2.24)
• Market cap increase of 89% (C$47.3 million to C$90.1 million)
• A trading volume increase of 310% over 2010
• Initiation of coverage by Cormark Securities

NAT has developed the CRAiLAR process, which successfully removes the binding agents from flax that contribute to its stiff texture, and produces a fibre that is said to have the tensile strength and performance benefits of flax, and the comfort qualities of cotton.

processing and production of natural, bast fibers resulting in increased performance characteristics for use in textile, industrial, energy, medical and composite material applications. The Company was founded in 1998 as a provider of environmentally friendly, socially responsible clothing. For more information, visit www.naturallyadvanced.com.

 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.