Ecolab Gains U.S. EPA Registrations for First Commercial Sterilant for Low-Acid Aseptic Packaging.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Ecolab Inc. announced it has developed Enviro San([R]) and ES-1000[TM], a patented new commercial liquid sterilant system for use in aseptic packaging for low acid dairy beverages in Polyethylene terephthalate(PET) bottling applications. Ecolab has received registration from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use of Enviro San and ES-1000 as a commercial sterilant treatment system for packaging aseptically in FDA validated equipment for low acid filler. The two part system consists of Enviro San, a peracid-based solution, and ES-1000, an adjuvant that allows for effective antimicrobial sterilization with lower concentrations of peroxyacetic acid. It is the first product of its kind in the United States and will only be available from Ecolab.

"At Ecolab we work every day to find new ways to help our customers run their operations efficiently while reducing the risk of foodborne illness," said Tom Schnack, Ecolab vice president and general manager, food and beverage North America. "Enviro San and ES-1000 will help dairy beverage bottling facilities lower their aseptic packaging costs by reducing the operating temperatures, raw materials and freight costs."

Enviro San and ES-1000 can be used at lower operating temperatures than hydrogen peroxide sterilizing solutions providing customers with reduced energy costs associated with heating. In addition, lower temperatures allow for the use of lighter weight containers which can help bottlers reduce costs in materials and freight. Sealed containers of low acid dairy beverages sterilized with Enviro San and ES-1000 can be transported at ambient temperatures and do not require refrigerated shipping. These attributes can help bottlers achieve more environmentally sustainable operations.

"With the long-lead time for operational planning in the bottling industry, we understand that advance preparation for market segment growth is key to the success of manufacturers," said Kimberly Underwood, Ecolab vice president of dairy and beverage marketing. "We anticipate that the Enviro San program will be commercially available in 2007 following approval by individual state EPA offices."

With 2005 sales of $4.5 billion, Ecolab is the leading global developer and marketer of premium cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, maintenance and repair products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets.

Ecolab shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ECL. Ecolab news releases and other investor information are available on the Internet at http://www.ecolab.com.

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