PRESS RELEASE - Vienna, 22 February 2006 European Business Awards for the Environment 2006 Dutch Companies Nominated for the Process and International Cooperation Awards The jury for the European Commission's European Business Awards for the Environment 2006 assembled in Vienna 21 and 22 February 2006.

12 European companies have been selected as nominees and will be competing for recognition as the "Best in Europe". The winners will be presented in June during the European Commission's Green Week. "Today the European Business Awards for the Environment are more relevant than ever," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. "Europe needs companies that invest in environment-friendly innovation. They do not only contribute to winning the battle against climate change and protecting our biodiversity, but they also help make Europe more competitive. It is a simple win-win situation. My congratulations to the 12 finalists - they have made sustainable business models a reality and displayed extraordinary ingenuity." Process Award

The Dutch companies Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BV have been selected as nominees in the Process Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2006. In this category, companies are rewarded for the development and application of a new production technology that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BV are engaged in the awards competition with the project "Digital Liquidjet for textile printing, coating and finishing". The jury's rationale for selecting Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BV as nominee for the Process award states: "The jury emphasised the competitive advantage of the use of exactly dosed drops applied at a high speed which is comparable to traditional technology. Digital printing, coating and finishing improves environmental and economical performance in the end product quality. The process offers substantial reduction in used inputs ({water, energy and chemicals) and waste production. The jury emphasised that this is an example of how new technology implemented in a specific sector contributes to its competitiveness." Internationa.! Co-operation Award The Dutch company iD-L inspired innovations has been selected as nominee in the International Co-operation Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2006. In this category, companies are rewarded for the sharing of knowledge and technology in international cross-sector partnerships which contribute to sustainable growth in developing countries. ¡D-L inspired innovations is engaged in the awards competition with the project "Ragbag(r)". The jury's rationale for selecting iD-L inspired innovations as nominee for the International Co-operation award states: 'The jury particularly appreciated the development of a business model that is successful, is not an aid-programme, and enables new business development with some help from outside. The objective is clear and results in an attractive product manufactured from waste. The project leads to job creation in India and Europe and to benefits for all stakeholders. It has wide application to other products in other parts of the world. The project is launched by a small company based on personal involvement."

Background: The European Business Awards for the Environment are awarded by the European Commission every two years and aim to recognise and reward European companies which set an example by successfully bringing together innovation, economic viability and environmental concerns. The scheme comprises four award categories in which companies are rewarded for management practices, products, processes or international co-operation activities which contribute to economic and social development without detriment to the environment. To be eligible for competition in the European Business Awards for the Environment, companies first have to succeed in the national award schemes which are organised throughout Europe every year. This means that the companies awarded the European prize are 'the best of the best'; the most far-sighted, responsible and innovative across Europe. Participation is open to companies from all EU member states and the candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. The submission of entries to the European level awards competition is managed by national coordinating bodies. These national coordinators can be identified via the European Business Awards for the Environment web site: http://europa.eu.int/comrn/environment/awards/index en.htm Companies from 23 European countries have engaged in the 2006 edition of the European Business Awards for the Environment and a total of 139 entries were submitted for competition in this year's awards, This is the highest number of entries submitted in the 19 years' history of the European Business Awards for the Environment (launched in 1987 under the name European Better Awards for Industry) and is an indication of businesses' growing interest in taking care of the environment. An independent panel of 12 jurors from across Europe met in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday 21 February. The jury consists of representatives from industry, NGOs, academia and the public authorities. All jury members have environmental matters as their field of expertise. During a two-day meeting chaired by Heinz Felsner, CEO of KPI Consult (CH) and one of the founding fathers of the Austrian Business Council for Sustainable Development, the jury have assessed and evaluated the 139 entries submitted for this year's awards and have short-listed three companies in each of the four award categories. Attached to this press release is a list with all 12 nominees. Of the 12 nominees, four winners - one in each category - will be presented at a prestigious award ceremony to be held in Brussels beginning of June this year. The award ceremony coincides with and is organised as part of the European Commission's Green Week running from 30 May - 2 June 2006. Green Week is the European Commission's major annual environmental conference and exhibition event in Brussels. The four day event comprises discussions, workshops, an exhibition and the award ceremony. This year's theme is biodiversity and more than 4000 visitors are expected. More information on Green Week is available at: http://europa.eu.int/CQrnm/environrnent/greenweek/index.html The European Business Awards for the Environment is organised by the Directorate General for Environment of the European Commission. Website: h ttp://eu ropa. eu,lnt/comm/en virón ment/business awards Contact person: Lena Reuterberg. E-mail: lena.reuterberQ@cec.eu.int. Phone: +32 2 296 36 94 Press contact: Lone Mikkelsen, press officer. E-mail: Lone.Mikkeisen@cec.eu.int. Phone: +32 2 296 0567 M J LJRDPEANBUSINESS ATTACHMENT to press release - Vienna, 22 Feb 2006 European Business Awards for the Environment THE ENVIRONMENT 2006 - NOMINEES On 22 February 2006, the jury for the European Business Awards for the Environment selected the following companies as nominees for the 2006 awards:

CATEGORY 1: MANAGEMENT AWARD Company: GE Hungary Ltd. Light Source Factory Nagykanizsa, Hungary Project: "In the forefront of the world market with Environment awareness company management system" • Company: Sotral SpA, Italy Project: "Management for Eco-efficiency Ín Public Catering" • Company: Acería Compacta de Bizkaia SA, Spain Project: "ACS Integrated management system"

CATEGORY 2: PRODUCT AWARD Company: VA Tech Hydro GmbH & Co, Austria Project: "HYDROMATRIX(r) Power Plant Nußdorf - New renewable energy created in historic site in urban environment" Company: DTS OABE SL, Spain Project: "Nupilac hidro" • Company: Windsave Ltd, UK Project: "Windsave Plug'n'Save wind turbine"

CATEGORY 3: PROCESS AWARD • Company: Fortum Power and Heat Oy, Finland Project: "Cleaner air through advanced burner design for large combustion plants" Company: Volkswagen AG, Germany Project: "The Volkswagen-SiCon process for recycling shredder residues" Company: Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BVf Netherlands Project: "Digital Liquidjet for textile printing, coating and finishing"

CATEGORY 4: INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AWARD • Company: YIT Rakennus Oy, Finland Project: "South-West Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Petersburg, Russia" • Company: BASF AG, Germany Project: ""Public Private Partnership between UNIDO, UNEP and BASF: Knowledge transfer in the field of eco-efficient production" • Company: iD-L inspired innovations, Netherlands Project: "RagBag(r)"