Leading the Way to a Healthier Ride: micronAir(R) Cabin Air Filters Earn GREENGUARD Certification

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky., Oct. 26, 2006 -- Freudenberg Nonwovens has announced that its micronAir(R) cabin air filters are now GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified(R) -- making them the first-ever automotive cabin air filters to achieve this stringent and widely recognized third party certification of products for indoor air quality.

micronAir cabin air filters -- which will be on display at booth #4461 at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas from Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Thursday, Nov. 2 -- help remove harmful particles and odors from the air entering and circulating in the passenger compartment. The filters were subjected to GREENGUARD's rigorous testing procedures, proving that they do not contribute to the chemical emissions present within the interior of a vehicle.

Beyond being low-emissions themselves, the filters actually clean the air entering the passenger cabin through the HVAC system, reducing certain particulate contaminants that are associated with health concerns, such as asthma, allergies and bronchitis. The filters also extend the life of a car's HVAC system and protect it from malfunction by reducing system wear, corrosion, fouling and clogging.

"We are extremely pleased to gain the first-ever GREENGUARD certification for cabin air filters," said Barry F. Kellar, vice president and general manager, North American Filtration Division of Freudenberg Nonwovens. "This certification underscores our commitment to improving the health of drivers and passengers, and recognizes the growing trend of consumers increased concern about their vehicle's interior air quality."

According to GREENGUARD, the notion of "green" automobiles has evolved over the years and consumer interest in purchasing an environmentally friendly vehicle has never been higher.

"Most of the public's interest in green vehicles has been focused on exhaust emissions and fuel economy but that interest is rapidly expanding to include the quality of air inside the car," said Carl E. Smith, chief executive officer and executive director of GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. "micronAir cabin air filters not only prevent fumes from entering a vehicle, they also don't contribute to the chemical emissions or smells within the interior."

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program and is a trusted source for indoor air quality in the United States and Canada. The GREENGUARD product guide lists over 100,000 products, certifying that they are low emitting and will not compromise the air quality of the indoor environment. The GREENGUARD Certification addresses a very complex subject -- indoor air -- and distills it into a brand that can be easily understood. Manufacturers leverage the GREENGUARD brand to help fulfill the brand promise of "environmentally-friendly," particularly when a manufacturer wants to lead the market. GREENGUARD Certification provides a compelling, objective and marketable way to reinforce environmental commitment and communicate a valued differentiator to customers.

A product line of Freudenberg Nonwovens, micronAir cabin air filters reduce dust, pollutants and odors entering a vehicle's passenger compartment, enhancing the passengers' driving comfort and health. micronAir cabin air filters are installed on two-thirds of the vehicles manufactured worldwide equipped with cabin air filtration systems.

Freudenberg Nonwovens is a pioneer in the development and implementation of filtration systems for global automotive, industrial and commercial HVAC applications. The company's North American Filtration Division headquarters in Hopkinsville, Ky. contains a state-of-the-art research and development center and a highly automated manufacturing plant.

A division of the global Freudenberg Group -- based in Weinheim, Germany -- Freudenberg Nonwovens is the world's leading nonwovens manufacturer with 17 production facilities in 12 countries.

For more information and images, visit the micronAir cabin air filters website at http://www.micronair.com/ and the Freudenberg Nonwovens website at http://www.nonwovens-group.com/ .

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information, please contact Leslie Dagg at +1-248-269-1122 or ldagg@bianchipr.com .