Ecolab Healthcare Expands Infection Control Solutions for Pharmaceutical Operations Through Strategic Partnership

March 16, 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn., Mar 16, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ecolab Inc. announced today it has partnered with Veltek Associates, Inc., a provider of solutions used to address the control of particulate and microbial contamination in pharmaceutical and biotechnology operations. Through this strategic partnership, Ecolab's Healthcare business will market Veltek's infection control portfolio to hospital pharmaceutical labs.

"This collaboration further strengthens Ecolab's healthcare business and infection prevention portfolio by offering hospitals new products and processes that meet USP 797 standards to reduce the risk of transmission of microbes within pharmacy environments," said Susan Nestegard, Executive Vice President, Global Healthcare. "We are excited to be working with Veltek, a market leader in contamination control, to support our customers' infection control efforts across all areas within their facilities."

USP 797 is a regulation endorsed by the Joint Commission that governs a range of pharmacy policies and procedures. It is designed both to cut down on infections transmitted to patients through pharmaceutical products and to better protect staff working in pharmacies in the course of their exposure to pharmaceuticals.

With sales of $6 billion and more than 26,000 associates, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and infection prevention products and services. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and services to the foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, and hospitality markets in more than 160 countries. More news and information is available at www.ecolab.com.

(ECL-C)

SOURCE: Ecolab Inc.

Ecolab Inc.
Paul Chaffin, 651-293-4009

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