Battelle and Ferratec, LLC. Bring Production of Ferrate(VI) One Step Closer to Reality

Battelle and Ferratec, LLC. Bring Production of Ferrate(VI) One Step Closer to
Reality

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Battelle and Ferratec, LLC,
today announced what could be an historical agreement that may finally result
in a commercially viable means to produce potassium ferrate(VI). Under the
terms of the agreement, Battelle and Ferratec will conduct a scalability
review to determine preliminary output levels for this highly anticipated and
powerful oxidant.

For centuries, ferrate has been known as a powerful oxidizing agent but no one
has been able to create a cost effective and high-yield manufacturing process.
Possible applications include water purification and decontamination of
chemical agents.

Battelle's recent and award winning* Ferrate(VI) Production Process has made
this breakthrough possible with the discovery of a new chemical process to
produce ferrate. Using inexpensive and readily available raw materials,
Battelle's process is based on fundamental electrochemical, general chemistry,
and engineering economic principles. While current technologies have only been
able to produce minimal amounts of ferrate with purity rates reaching only
35%, Battelle has made strides in this field by producing ferrate at a purity
exceeding 95%.

"It's almost hard to imagine that we may finally start seeing ferrate(VI)
produced at a rate that will result in commercial use that may truly have an
impact on everyday life," said Battelle scientist Bruce Monzyk. "This process
is much anticipated by the scientific community due to the fact that it
combines over 50 years of collective research."

One of ferrate's greatest potential uses lies within water treatment. Unlike
traditional chlorine or permanganate reagents, ferrate(VI) is a unique
oxidizing agent because it is virtually impossible to administer an overdose
when treating water. Additionally, its use produces no harmful by-products,
making ferrate a "green" alternative for treating water.

"This is just the first step in what we plan to be an exciting journey in
making ferrate(VI) an economical and commercial solution," says Andy Wolter,
of Ferratec, LLC. "We are delighted to be working with Battelle to make this
extremely valuable substance available on a scale that could one day impact
everything from the water we drink to the health of our environment."

*In October 2007, Battelle's Ferrate Production Process was awarded a R&D 100
Award.

About Battelle
Battelle is the world's largest non-profit independent research and
development organization, providing innovative solutions to the world's most
pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management,
National Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It
advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $4 billion in
global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and
technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle
oversees 20,400 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide, including
seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S.
Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on
societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science and
math education.

About Ferratec
Ferratec is a holding company with the exclusive license to manufacture and
distribute potassium-ferrate world-wide under the process developed with
Battelle. Ferratec was formed by the private investment and business
incubation firm, The Incubation Factory, with the objectives of partnering
with Battelle to complete the final phase of manufacturing scalability and
partnering with established industry experts to bring potassium-ferrate to the
global market. Ferratec is headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, in the
headquarters of The Incubation Factory.

The Incubation Factory (TIF) is a for-profit, "go to market" business and
technology incubator specializing in high-growth, business-to-business
opportunities. TIF works with independent entrepreneurs, investors, private
and public companies as well as universities. TIF serves companies from a
wide array of industries; the current portfolio includes companies in
healthcare, information technology, fitness equipment, veterinary medicine,
RFID, and WIMAX. TIF's successes include multiple companies growing at a rate
to qualify for Inc. 500 recognition and Advanced Business Fulfillment (ABF),
the fastest growing company in Missouri in 2003 and the 23rd fastest
nationwide. ABF was subsequently sold to WebMD for $260,000,000.

For more information on Battelle, visit http://www.battelle.org

SOURCE Battelle

Katy Delaney, Media Relations Manager of Battelle, +1-410-306-8638,
delaneyk@battelle.org; or Kyle Kuhnel, +1-973-984-3000, kkuhnel@sherryllc.com,
for Battelle