Roctest and TenCate combine strengths to create unique geotextile monitoring
solution

ST. LAMBERT, QC & ATLANTA, GA, March 16 /CNW/ - The world's largest manufacturer of fiber optic sensors for civil engineering applications and the world's leading provider of geosynthetics are collaborating in the development of a unique geotextile monitoring solution (TenCate GeoDetect(R)) that will provide unprecedented detail about the properties of embankments, slopes, walls, levees, roads, rails and other earth structures. Customers will benefit from the real-time monitoring of every square meter of land for ground movement, soil erosion, settlement and other changes.

Roctest Ltd (TSX: RTT), through its subsidiary SMARTEC SA, and TenCate Geosynthetics have begun work on the technical and commercial development of geotextiles instrumented with optical fiber sensors and the related monitoring services. The relationship will capitalize on the strengths of both companies. TenCate Geosynthetics has a global reputation for innovative products and solutions for complex civil engineering and geotechnical problems while Roctest/SMARTEC provides expertise and innovation in data acquisition devices, instrumentation equipment and software.

TenCate started several years ago with the development of geosynthetics with monitoring capabilities. Since then several pilot projects have been initiated, amongst others with the French Railways (SNCF) and Dutch Government funded water management projects. The combination of TenCate GeoDetect(R), the first sensor-enabled geotextile to provide soil reinforcement, structural health monitoring and an early warning system in one package, with Roctest/SMARTEC's wide range of sensors (fiber optic, vibrating wire and conventional), data acquisition systems and software for data management and analysis, provides an unparalleled package of data analysis tools for structural engineering and geotechnical applications.

These technologies may be incorporated into a single user interface developed by Roctest/SMARTEC called SHMLive. The SHMLive platform is designed for continuous monitoring through real-time data transfer via a secure online database and can be used to store and share all documents related to a monitoring project, including reports, plans and other useful information. SHMLive is offered for a fixed monthly fee that includes all the sensors, data acquisition units, aggregation device, upload transmission link, secure database storage, real-time analysis, web-based data access and reporting, with performance levels guaranteed for the contract duration.

"For Roctest, the TenCate Geosynthetics relationship increases our ability to provide customers with the most integrated and innovative products for Structural Health Monitoring, and reinforces our strategy of offering the most complete toolbox of solutions to our customers," said Francois Cordeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Roctest Ltd.

"TenCate's future is less about products and more about providing solutions for geotechnical challenges through a systems approach. Coupling our application expertise with Roctest's sensoring technology gives an innovative and differentiated approach to detecting potential failures and/or problems for civil engineers," said Dave Clarke, Group Director for TenCate Geosynthetics.

About TenCate Geosynthetics

TenCate Geosynthetics, part of the NYSE Euronext listed Royal TenCate n.v. (www.tencate.com), develops and produces synthetic fabrics, wovens, non-wovens, knits and grids, and develops solutions and systems for infrastructure and civil engineering applications. TenCate Geosynthetics has production operations in Europe, North America and Asia.

About Roctest Ltd

Roctest designs, manufactures and markets sensors and high-precision measuring instruments for the civil engineering market and applications in the energy, healthcare and process control industries. The Company is recognized for its leading-edge technology, the quality of its technical expertise and its product development capabilities for challenging and demanding environments. Its products are mainly sold internationally. The shares of the Company are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol RTT. To reach Roctest Ltd via the worldwide web, visit www.roctest.com.

Caution concerning forward-looking statements

Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward looking nature concerning the future performance of the Company. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events, and as such involve a number of risk factors. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, risks related to foreign exchange fluctuations, evolution in customer demand for the Company's products and services, the impact of price pressure from competitors and general market trends, as well as economic and geopolitical changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results. The Company does not update or revise publicly its forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable law.

Roctest / TenCate Geosynthetics

%SEDAR: 00002564EF

For further information: Wilson Harvie, Director of Global Business Development-GeoDetect(R), TenCate Geosynthetics, [phone], [phone], Email: [email protected]; Frank Spaan, Director Investor Relations & Corporate, Development-Royal TenCate, [phone], Email: [email protected]; François Cordeau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Roctest Ltd., [phone], [phone] fax, Email: [email protected]; Jeff Codispodi, Investor Relations, The Equicom Group Inc., [phone] x 261, [phone] fax, Email: [email protected]