• Comments on the report “Precautionary Strategies for Managing Nanomaterials“ by the German Advisory Council on the Environment
• Drawbacks of possible overregulation

Frankfurt am Main – September 2, 2011 – The German Advisory Council on the Environment today published a special report “Precautionary Strategies for Managing Nanomaterials.” In response, Nanostart AG, the leading financer of nanotechnology growth, is issuing the following statement: Nanotechnology allows people to develop new products and procedures which strongly support us in meeting imminent global challenges in the areas of health, energy and the environment, water supply and mobility.

More and more people around the world are becoming aware of this and nanotechnology is massively subsidized through national programs. At the same time, we are dealing here with an interdisciplinary technology, which is defined purely in terms of the dimension in which research, development and work are carried out. This also makes it difficult to make a general assessment of this technology’s risk potential.

For this reason, comprehensive and independent risk research is both indispensable and necessary, as is the case for every new technology. Any findings are to be put into practice immediately. Nanostart invests in young nanotechnology companies all over the world. The risk potential of the technology concerned is a major factor in every investment decision.
Compared with other countries, Germany is a leading location for nanotechnology. Nanostart would like to point out the drawbacks of potential overregulation which could make it more difficult to pursue new, promising nanotechnological approaches or unduly impair the development of nanotechnology in Germany.
Nanostart welcomes the special report, particularly those parts of it dealing with transparency in terms of commercial products. The consumer has a right to be optimally informed in order to make his or her own independent decision.
Large sections of the population are only vaguely aware of the complex topic of nanotechnology. For this reason, Nanostart strongly recommends social discourse. Discourse should deal with the results of risk research as well as the opportunities arising from the technology. In particular, discourse should not be about awakening fears among consumers but communicating the opportunities and potential risks linked to nanotechnology objectively and without bias.

About Nanostart:
Nanostart AG is the world’s leading nanotechnology investment company. Headquartered in Frankfurt/Main, it invests venture capital in nanotechnology companies in various development phases. Investments focus on companies in the most innovation-driven segments: cleantech, life sciences and IT/electronics. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Singapore, Nanostart invests in nanotechnology companies in Singapore in conjunction with the government of Singapore. For more information on the company, please visit www.nanostart.de.

Disclaimer:
This report constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to purchase or subscribe to securities. There will be no public offering of securities of Nanostart AG in conjunction with the existing listing of its shares in the entry standard segment of the regulated unofficial market on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This report does not constitute a securities prospectus. This communication and the information it contains are not meant to be directly or indirectly forwarded to or within Canada, Australia or Japan.

Press contact:
Nanostart AG
Dr. Hans Joachim Duerr
Head of Corporate Communications
Goethestrasse 26-28
60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)69-21 93 96 111
Fax: +49 (0)69-21 93 96 150
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it