Pearl Izumi Includes Merino In Its New Cycling Apparel Range

Australia — March 22, 2010 — Leading Japanese cycling and sports apparel company Pearl Izumi has
introduced MerinoPerform™ into its 60th anniversary cycling jersey range for sale in the USA and
Japan.

The new range includes MerinoPerform™ Advantage technology, which Pearl Izumi has used to
create high performance garments that enable athletes to perform at their best in hot and cold
conditions.

Developed by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) using up to 19.5 micron Merino wool with a 99%
comfort factor, the MerinoPerform™ technology has unique natural temperature regulation and vapour
management properties that keep athletes cooler, drier and more comfortable when exercising.

The modern and lightweight fabric has a bi-component fabric structure. Fine Merino wool next
to the skin has natural breathability and wicks away moisture during exercise, while providing the
rider with wind and UPF 50+ sun protection.

The partnership between AWI and Pearl Izumi is an important milestone for Merino in
sportswear. Given Merino’s high performance advantages, it aligns well with the meticulously high
standards for which Pearl Izumi is famous. Pearl Izumi is a Japanese company with a sales turnover
of approximately $200 million across the USA and Japan.

AWI’s global manager sports/outdoor Lars Ulvesund said the expanding sports and activewear
market is an area of market growth for Australian Merino wool.

‘AWI is working with many of the leading global sports brands such as Pearl Izumi. Marketing,
networks, education and of course product development are all areas where we can add value and make
a difference,’ Mr Ulvesund said.

‘Australian Merino is highly regarded and appreciated as a premium natural performance fibre
by the sports industry. It continues to be increasingly well represented due to its unrivalled
natural breathability, insulation and next-to-skin comfort – it is perfect for keeping you cool
when conditions are hot, but it will also keep you warm when the conditions are cold.’

AWI’s MerinoPerform™ program is partly an evolution of the Sportwool fabric technology
(developed in cooperation with CSIRO) and was launched 12 months ago. It is leading AWI’s marketing
efforts to get Merino heavily featured in the activewear ranges of the world’s sports and outdoor
brands.

AWI continues to actively work to promote MerinoPerform™ and the significant amount of wool
seen at the Autumn/Winter 2010/11 fairs in Europe and the United States is proof wool is making
steady progress in this growing apparel sector.

Press Release Courtesy of AWI

Posted on March 23, 2010

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