Bennett Announces Second Quarter Results.

OAKVILLE, Ontario -- Bennett Environmental Inc. (TSX:BEV)(AMEX:BEL) -

- Revenue increases to $6.2 million

- 8,800 tonnes processed/ lower per tonne costs

- Net loss cut to $1.4 million

- New business orders total 8,000 tonnes

Bennett Environmental today announced financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005.

The following table summarizes financial data for the six most recently completed quarters, expressed in Canadian dollars  (millions), except per share data:

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                                  2005                 2004
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                               Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1
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Net Sales                     6.2    3.9    4.5    8.0    3.9    8.9
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Net Income/(Loss)            (1.4)  (3.6)  (8.3)  (7.8)  (2.2)  (0.3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share
 - Basic                    (0.07) (0.17) (0.45) (0.43) (0.12) (0.02)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share
 - Diluted                  (0.07) (0.17) (0.45) (0.43) (0.12) (0.02)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales for the quarter were $6.2 million compared to $3.9 million a year earlier. Approximately 8,800 tonnes of soil were processed at the Company's Quebec facility (2004: 4,000 tonnes) and approximately 207,000 kilograms was processed at the Cornwall facility (2004: 200,000 kilograms). Bennett also sent approximately 1,300 tonnes of non-hazardous material to non-Company owned landfill sites. Sales for the Quebec facility were approximately $5.1million and sales for the Cornwall facility were approximately $0.9 million. Sales from land- filling non-hazardous material were $0.2 million.

In the second quarter of 2005 average sales per tonne for soil processing were $575 per tonne, compared to $577 per tonne in 2004. The decline in average sales per tonne occurred because Bennett processed 3,000 tonnes of material at a lower price; this material had a high dioxin content and Bennett processed it as a test burn to successfully demonstrate to the US Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) and Canadian environmental regulators that dioxins could be safely handled, shipped and then treated by the Company in its facilities.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2005 contribution margins (sales less operating expenses) were $1.3 million compared to $0.3 million in the same period a year earlier. On a per tonne basis gross margins improved to approximately $143 per tonne from $64 per tonne in the same period last year.

While contribution margins were positive in the quarter, they were impacted by high transportation costs and relatively low volumes of soil. In addition, soil that required additional processing time slowed production rates to approximately 5.7 tonnes per hour in the quarter compared to 7.9 tonnes per hour in the second quarter of 2004.

Operating costs in the second quarter of 2005 were $4.9 million compared to $3.6 million for the same period a year ago. Cost per tonne in the second quarter at the Company's Quebec facilities decreased to $441 from $508 last year. The decrease was related to higher processed volumes of soil and the implementation of cost reduction and productivity improvement programs at the plant. These were partially offset by the lower production rate, and higher freight costs. Operating costs at the Company's Cornwall facility were $0.5 million compared to $0.8 million a year earlier, reflecting the cost cutting measures put in place during the quarter.

Administration and Business Development costs were $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2005 compared to $2.8 million for the same period a year earlier. Professional fees and insurance costs increased by approximately $1.0 million and were offset by a recovery of approximately $1.5 million from liability insurance claims.

Amortization for the second quarter of 2005 was $1.5 million compared to $0.6 million a year ago. The increase relates to the accelerated amortization of certain assets and licenses purchased from Eli-Ecologic, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over two years. These assets will be fully amortized by December 2005.

The Consolidated net loss for the quarter was $1.4 million or a loss of $0.07 per share compared to a net loss of $2.2 million or a loss of $0.12 per share in the second quarter of 2004.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2005 cash used for operating activities before changes in operating working capital amounted to $0.6 million (2004: $0.8 million). Cash used by operating working capital was approximately $3.1 million (2004: $0.3 million generated) for a net use of cash from operations of approximately $3.7 million for the quarter. The principal use of cash from operating working capital in the quarter was cash used to fund accounts receivable and accounts payable.

At the end of the quarter the Company had cash and equivalents of $4.3 million and working capital of $20.2 million.

"We are pleased that the improvements we have made to the business are beginning to be demonstrated in the financial results," said Al Bulckaert, President and CEO. "Our focus on orders, costs and productivity is clearly impacting the bottom line."

"Compliance testing for Belledune is scheduled to take place in the third quarter of 2005. Once the compliance test is complete, we will be shutting the Plant down until we have sufficient volumes to run the plant efficiently."

"We ended the quarter with an inventory of 4,400 tonnes of soil. We expect to process approximately 14,000 tonnes in the quarter at the Quebec facility, and to exit the quarter with a soil backlog. Our degree of visibility is improving and the Company expects to process 45,000 to 50,000 tonnes for the full year. While this progress is encouraging, it remains too early to provide a full year earnings forecast given that litigation issues have not yet been resolved."

"The Company and the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development  and Parks have continued to work co-operatively to develop an action plan that is acceptable to the Ministry regarding the operation of the plant and to ensure that the plant meets or exceeds levels of emissions established by the Ministry. This has been a long process but it is expected that the discussions will be completed during the third quarter," concluded Mr Bulckaert.

Six Months Ended June 30

For the first six months ended June 30, 2005 revenue was $10.1 million compared to $12.8 million a year earlier. Approximately 13,000 tonnes were processed at the Company's Quebec facility, 408,000 kilograms was processed at the Cornwall facility, and Bennett sent 6,400 tonnes of non-hazardous material to landfill sites. In the first half of 2004 the Company processed approximately 24,000 tonnes of soil, while 457,000 kilograms of material was processed in Cornwall and the Company land-filled approximately 9,075 metric tonnes.

Contribution margins in the first six months of 2005 were approximately $1.2 million compared to $3.5 million a year earlier. On a per tonne basis the contribution margin was $91 per tonne compared to $147 a year earlier.

The consolidated net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2005 was $5.0 million compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2004.

Bennett Environmental Inc. will hold its Q2-05 Investor Conference Call on Thursday, July 28th, 2005 at 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). During the call, management will discuss results for the Second Quarter of 2005 together with its progress and plans for 2005. In order to join the call, you may dial 1-877-563-8311. A webcast of the call will be broadcast live on the Company's website at www.bennettenv.com.

About Bennett Environmental Inc.

Bennett Environmental Inc. is a North American leader in high temperature treatment services for the remediation of contaminated  soil and has provided thermal solutions to contamination problems throughout Canada and the US. Bennett Environmental's technology provides for the safe, economical and permanent solution to contaminated soil. Independent testing has consistently proven that the technology operates well within the most stringent criteria in North America.

Bennett Environmental is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Trading Symbol "BEV") and the American Stock Exchange (Trading Symbol "BEL").

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this press release and in certain documents incorporated by reference into this press release constitute forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference into, this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

BENNETT ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
As at June 30, 2005 with comparative figures
as at December 31, 2004
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                                   June 30               December 31
                                      2005                      2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (unaudited)                 (audited)
Assets
Current assets
 Cash and cash equivalents     $ 4,329,331              $ 15,180,060
 Accounts receivable            16,020,695                14,316,648
 Deferred costs                    345,981                   331,709
 Income Tax Receivable           3,868,120                 3,417,204
 Note Receivable                   315,000                   315,000
 Prepaid expenses and other      1,870,299                 1,199,871
                               --------------------------------------
 Total Current Assets           26,749,426                34,760,492
                               --------------------------------------

Future Income Tax Asset          3,272,253                   891,826
Property plant and equipment    48,165,412                48,920,377
Other assets                     4,453,489                 4,793,069
Goodwill                           646,638                   646,638
                               --------------------------------------

                              $ 83,287,218              $ 90,012,402
                               --------------------------------------
                               --------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders'
 Equity
Current liabilities
 Accounts payable and
  accrued liabilities          $ 4,131,490               $ 6,646,005
 Deferred revenue                1,484,295                   661,557
 Current portion of
  long-term debt                   908,488                 1,218,405
                               --------------------------------------
                                 6,524,273                 8,525,967

Long-term debt                   1,483,045                 1,483,045

Shareholders' equity
 Share capital                  67,637,008                67,644,681
 (Common shares outstanding
  21,415,940 (2004 -
  21,415,940)
 Contributed surplus             1,906,610                 1,595,205
 Retained earnings               5,736,282                10,763,504
                               --------------------------------------
                                75,279,900                80,003,390
                               --------------------------------------

                              $ 83,287,218              $ 90,012,402
                               --------------------------------------
                               --------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.



BENNETT ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Retained Earnings
(unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
For the Three and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2005 with
 comparative figures for June 30, 2004
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                            6 months ended            3 months ended
                     June 30,      June 30,     June 30,     June 30,
                        2005          2004         2005         2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales           $ 10,077,107  $ 12,836,827  $ 6,160,128  $ 3,894,643

Expenses
 Operating costs   8,849,643     9,309,846    4,870,385    3,626,903
 Administration
  and business
  development      6,617,953     5,828,772    1,941,661    2,746,786
 Amortization      2,427,191     1,281,724    1,456,946      624,387
 Foreign exchange    130,781       (75,140)     173,649      (71,452)
 Interest expense     78,373        48,301       72,354       22,733
                 ----------------------------------------------------

                  18,103,941    16,393,503    8,514,995    6,949,357
                 ----------------------------------------------------

Loss before
 undernoted       (8,026,834)   (3,556,676)  (2,354,867)  (3,054,714)
Gain on
 investment          175,000             -      175,000            -
Interest and
 other income        214,444       250,077       40,150      129,198
                 ----------------------------------------------------

Loss before
 income taxes     (7,637,390)   (3,306,599)  (2,139,717)  (2,925,516)

Income tax
 (recovery)
 expense
 Current            (229,291)   (1,260,296)    (119,674)  (1,318,061)

 Future           (2,380,877)      438,960     (607,617)     542,965
                 ----------------------------------------------------

                  (2,610,168)     (821,336)    (727,291)    (775,096)
                 ----------------------------------------------------

Loss for the
 period           (5,027,222)   (2,485,263)  (1,412,426)  (2,150,420)

Retained
 earnings,
 beginning of
 period           10,763,504    29,298,743    7,148,708   28,963,900
                 ----------------------------------------------------

Retained
 earnings, end
 of period       $ 5,736,282  $ 26,813,480  $ 5,736,282 $ 26,813,480
                 ----------------------------------------------------

Basic earnings
 per share             (0.23)        (0.14)       (0.07)       (0.12)
                 ----------------------------------------------------
                 ----------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings
 per share           $ (0.23)      $ (0.14)     $ (0.07)     $ (0.12)
                 ----------------------------------------------------
                 ----------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.



BENNETT ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
For the Three and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2005 with
 comparative figures for June 30, 2004
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                            6 months ended            3 months ended
                     June 30,      June 30,     June 30,     June 30,
                        2005          2004         2005         2004
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CASH PROVIDED BY
 (USED IN):
Operations
 Loss for
  the period     $(5,027,222)  $(2,485,263) $(1,412,426) $(2,150,420)

 Items not
  involving cash
  Amortization     2,427,191     1,281,724    1,456,946      624,387
  Equity
   investment loss         -        66,600            -       33,301
  (Gain) loss on
   disposal of
   capital assets     (1,120)            -        4,391            -
  Stock-based
   compensation      311,405       388,118      151,019      169,059
  Gain on
   investments      (175,000)            -     (175,000)           -
  Future income
   taxes
   (recovery)     (2,380,877)      438,960     (607,619)     542,965

Change in non-cash
 operating working
 capital
  Accounts
   receivable     (1,704,047)    6,164,107   (1,860,330)   3,258,897
  Deferred costs     (14,272)            -      771,856            -
  Prepaid expenses
   and other        (670,428)     (990,756)     763,484       92,603
  Work-in-progress         -       113,920            -       56,960
  Accounts payable
   and accrued
   liabilities    (2,514,062)   (5,793,674)  (2,869,004)  (1,636,499)
  Income taxes
   receivable/
   payable          (450,916)   (4,197,220)    (341,301)  (1,378,988)
  Deferred revenue   822,740      (814,409)     411,077      (93,321)
                  ---------------------------------------------------
                  (9,376,608)   (5,877,893)  (3,706,907)    (481,056)
                  ---------------------------------------------------

Investments:
  Proceeds on
   disposal of
   investments       175,000             -      175,000            -
  Proceeds on
   disposal of
   capital assets     65,000             -       57,000            -
  Purchase of
   capital assets (1,284,700)  (18,320,391)    (193,623)  (8,919,696)
  Increase in
   license, permits
   and other assets (111,831)     (754,044)     (26,908)    (348,368)
                  ---------------------------------------------------
                  (1,156,531)  (19,074,435)      11,469   (9,268,064)
                  ---------------------------------------------------

Financing:
  Repayments of
   long-term debt   (309,917)     (108,959)    (184,917)      (2,183)
  Issuance of
   common shares
   net of share
   issue costs        (7,673)   26,415,418            -      460,216
                  ---------------------------------------------------
                    (317,590)   26,306,459     (184,917)     458,033
                  ---------------------------------------------------

Increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash
 equivalents     (10,850,729)    1,354,131   (3,880,355)  (9,291,087)

Cash and cash
 equivalents,
 beginning of
 period           15,180,060    12,586,353    8,209,686   23,231,571
                  ---------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash
 equivalents,
 end of period   $ 4,329,331  $ 13,940,484  $ 4,329,331 $ 13,940,484
                  ---------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation:

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and accordingly, do not include all disclosures required for annual financial statements. These consolidated financial statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of their applications as the most recent annual financial statements except as disclosed herein. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including reclassifications and normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and retained earnings, and cash flows at June 30, 2005 and for all periods presented, have been made. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2004 annual financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2004 Annual Report.

2. Change in accounting policies:

Effective January 1, 2005, The company adopted Accounting Guideline 15, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs")", issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. VIEs are entities that have insufficient equity and/or their equity investors lack one or more specified essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The guideline provides specific guidance for determining when an entity is a VIE and who, if anyone, should consolidate the VIE. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated interim financial statements.

3. Share Capital:

A. The issued share capital of the Company is as follows:


                                 Number of Common             Amount
                                           Shares
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at December 31, 2004           21,427,440        $67,716,560
Shares repurchased in 2004 and
 held in treasury                         (11,500)           (71,879)

Issued during the period ended June
 30, 2005 for:

Share issue costs                               -             (7,673)

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Balance at June 30, 2005               21,415,940        $67,637,008
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B. Stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2005
   is as follows:

                                                              Shares
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, December 31, 2004                             1,031,451

Granted                                                       60,000
Cancelled/Expired                                           (208,500)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, June 30, 2005                                   882,951
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The options were issued in the six months period ended June 30, 2005 with a weighted average exercise price of $4.43 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value of the options was $4.49 per share.

4. Sales - Saglek project:

The Saglek project consisted of work in northern Labrador for Defense Construction Canada with respect to tendered and non-tendered specifications. The project started in 2002 and was substantially completed in the third quarter of 2004.

During the third quarter of 2004, the Saglek project was substantially completed with revenue being recognized using the percentage of completion method and approximately 7,000 tonnes of material from Saglek was processed. Over the course of the entire project, the Company excavated approximately 56,000 tonnes of soil and processed approximately 44,000 tonnes of material in its facilities. The volume of material processed was approximately 4,600 tonnes less than originally estimated for 2004 because the project ended sooner than expected.

The Company has submitted a claim for payment of all the extra expense relating to the removal of these unanticipated materials. The Company is endeavouring to recover these costs but a provision with respect to a portion of such costs has been recorded as there is no assurance all the costs will be recovered.

5. Segmented information:

A. Geographic information:

The Company operates and manages its business in a single reporting operating segment, the business of remediating contaminated soil and other waste materials. All significant capital assets are located in Canada. Sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 to customers domiciled in the United States amounted to $2,906,943 and $ 3,407,972 respectively (6 months ended June 30, 2005 - $3,682,747; 2004 - $6,349,764) and in Canada amounted to $3,253,185 and $486,671 respectively (6 months ended June 30, 2005 - $ 6,394,260; 2004 - $6,487,063).

B. Major customers:

For the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, revenues from two customers, represented approximately 27% and 25% and 35% and 41% respectively (6 months ended June 30, 2005; 2004 - 32% and 46%; 2004 - 35% and 42%).

6. Related party transactions

In the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company expensed legal fees of $400,923 and $40,566 respectively, (6 months ended June 30, 2005 - $1,150,651; $ 2004 - $172,354) to two legal firms of which two directors are associated.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company paid consulting fees of $27,554 and $48,585 respectively, (6 months ended June 30, 2005 - $127,554; 2004- $97,171) to a company owned by a director and officer of the Company.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2005, the Company sold its investment in a company to a related party for $250,000 including cash of $175,000 and a parcel of land adjacent to the facility valued at $75,000. The land has not yet been recorded as title is conditional upon municipal approval.

The above transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.

7. Contingencies 

Subsequent to June 30, 2005, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld the Federal Court Judge Harrington's order to quash the decision by the former Environment Minister, the Hon. David Anderson, to form a panel to review Bennett Environmental's thermal oxidizer in Belledune, New Brunswick. The subject of the decision is the facility in Belledune, New Brunswick which arose as a result of the public's concerns regarding whether there were likely to be any transboundary environmental effects as a result of the operation of the facility. A study group of federal officials had previously concluded that any such effects were unlikely.

Other than that, no significant developments have occurred since disclosure was made on March 16, 2005 in our annual audited financial statements (Note 16) dated as of March 16, 2005.

Bennett Environmental Inc. (TSX:BEV) (AMEX:BEL)