Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT) has received an order from Hanesbrands Inc. to deliver approximately 10,000 lbs of its Crailar organic fibre the first quarter of 2010.

"This first purchase order supplies Crailar fibre in a full-scale trial using our proposed manufacturing equipment supplier in Germany in January 2010. Thereafter, we will conduct another full scale blending trial on commercial scale spinning equipment at a Hanesbrands facility," said Ken Barker, CEO of NAT.

"After the trial is completed, the next phase in product development would be to conduct consumer testing. With positive results from these tests, we will begin finalizing commercialization plans to bring Crailar products to market."

NAT is committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibers. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Crailar Fiber Technologies Inc., is developing proprietary technologies for production of bast fibres, cellulose pulp, and their resulting by-products, in collaboration with Canada's National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council.

According to NAT, Crailar technology offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable processing and production of natural, bast fibres such as hemp and flax, 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 and adheres to a ‘triple bottom line’ philosophy, respecting the human rights of employees, the environmental impact of the company's operations and fiscal responsibility to its shareholders.