TEL AVIV, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

• The Israeli research team, headed by Dr. Eran Schenker from the
  Fisher Institute, in collaboration with Haim Wilder, V.P. R&D
  of Strauss Water and Prof. Eyal Shimoni, Chief Scientist of Strauss
  Group, will test a new water purification technology under zero
  gravity in space. Developed by Strauss Water, this is a
  polymer-based bio-medical technology designed to purify drinking
  water by effectively removing bacteria and viruses.
• The data accumulated from the research in space will also have
  implications for purifying water on earth, as it has direct bearing
  on the field of drinking water purification in its broader
  context.
• This experiment may be of important for the space industry as
  well, which is looking to improve the quality of water provided to
  astronauts on long missions.
• The experiment is made possible via the commercial contract
  with NanoRacks, LLC, under its Space Act Agreement with NASA.

Haim Wilder , V.P. R&D at Strauss Water, said
today: “This experiment coincides with the continuous effort of
Strauss Water to develop new technologies and materials which will
facilitate effective removal of bacteria and viruses under extreme
conditions. A successful experiment will constitute an important
milestone.”

Rami Ronen , CEO of Strauss Water, said today:
“As Strauss Water’s technology targets diverse markets in the
world, it can provide solutions to both developed and developing
countries, while contending with various water qualities. Israel, a
long-time world leader in sprinklers and irrigation systems, is now
conducting a breakthrough in original drinking water purification
technologies.”

Ofra Strauss,Chairperson of Strauss Group, said:
“This is another step by Strauss Group which aims to improve the
quality of life of people by providing them with safe, quality
drinking water.”

Dr. Eran Schenker, Head of the Aerospace Medicine
Research Center at the Fisher Institute, explains that “Purifying
water from bacteria and viruses is a critical process in
water-scarce regions around the world, and it is therefore
important to expand our knowledge in this field.”

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Asaf Agmon, Head of the Fisher
Institute, attaches great importance to Israel’s participation in
experiments conducted in space, adding that “Israel is uniquely
positioned to take part in advanced experiments on the space
shuttle, and we are excited about the fact that our experiments are
launched on the last flight in the shuttle era.”

The Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies
was founded by the Israel Air Force Association with an aim to
develop aviation and aerospace thinking and public discourse in
Israel . The Institute’s activities include research and
publication of articles and position papers. The institute is
primarily known for its annual international space conference held
in memory of Ilan Ramon and his team, which is conducted under the
auspices of the Institute, Ministry of Science, and Israel’s Space
Agency. The Fisher Institute is chaired by Major-General (Ret.)
Herzle Bodinger and headed by Brigadier-General
(Res.) Asaf Agmon.

The Aerospace Medicine Research Center at The Fisher
Institute fosters ties with space agencies around the world and
corresponding research institutes. Institute people collaborate
with leading researchers in academic institutions nationwide. The
Aerospace Medicine Research Center is headed by Dr. Eran
Schenker, an aviation physician trained by NASA as an aerospace
physician. Since the Nineties he has served as chief researcher of
Israel’s medical and biological experiments on NASA’s space
shuttles.

Jeffrey Manberis regarded as one of the pioneering
commercial space project entrepreneurs for more than 20 years. He
brought together, connected and pioneered the joint activity of the
American and Russian space industries, was the first to develop
space tourism on the Soviet space station Mir, and provided
aerospace consulting to U.S. Presidents Reagan, Clinton and Obama.
Currently, he is the Managing Director for NanoRacks, a group
promoting international civil, commercial and private space
activity.

Strauss Water is a global company that provides advanced
drinking water solutions to customers in various parts of the
world. The company engages in the development, production and
marketing of drinking water purification, filtering, heating and
cooling systems. Strauss Water started fulfilling its global vision
with the launch of its company product in Britain in 2010 and the
launch of the WaterMaker product line in China in collaboration
with Haier in 2011.

Strauss Group, Israel’s second-largest food &
beverage company, traded on the Tel Aviv 25 Index. Strauss Group is
an international corporation operating twenty-five production sites
in twenty-one countries around the world. Identified the drinking
water field as a strategic opportunity that coincides with the
Group’s Mission. Since 2007, the Group has invested in a
water purification technology venture, completing the development
of 10 pending patents in water purification and treatment.

Media Contacts:

The Fisher Institute
Shlomit Lerner Cohen
Nissan Balaban
+972-3-6475268
shlomit@mscomms.co.il

Strauss Group
Mirit Cohen
Director of External Communications
+972-3-6752462
Mirit.Cohen@strauss-group.com

SOURCE Strauss Group Ltd