Ahlstrom to acquire Fiberweb's consumer wipes business

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 30.3.2007 at 8.15

Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the consumer wipes business of Fiberweb plc. Following the acquisition, Ahlstrom will become the third largest producer of nonwoven roll goods globally. The acquisition price is approximately EUR 65 million.

The acquired business includes four plants, two of which are located in Italy, one in Spain and one in the USA. In 2006, the net sales of the acquired business amounted to EUR 110 million and it employed approximately 400 people.

Ahlstrom anticipates closing the deal within the second quarter of 2007 subject to antitrust clearances. Further, relevant trade unions will be informed accordingly.

Fiberweb is one of the leading suppliers of high performance specialty nonwoven fabrics globally.

The wiping fabrics currently produced by Fiberweb's consumer wipes business are used mainly in personal care, baby care and household wipe applications.

Following the deal, Ahlstrom will be the leading wiping fabrics producer in the world with manufacturing sites in Europe and in the USA. Furthermore, Ahlstrom announced in 2006 that it will expand its nonwovens production in South America by investing in a new wiping fabrics production line in Brazil. The new line will be operational in early 2008.

"We have been very consistent in implementing our global growth strategy. In addition to this deal, our investments in organic growth as well as the acquisition of Orlandi's spunlace nonwovens business, announced in February 2007, will position Ahlstrom as the third largest supplier of nonwoven materials in the world. Strong market presence further improves our ability to serve our customers globally", says Jukka Moisio, President and CEO of Ahlstrom Corporation.

"This acquisition further strengthens Ahlstrom's unique fiber expertise and its versatile technology base. Fiberweb's leading pulp-containing wipes technology allows Ahlstrom to introduce additional properties, such as enhanced softness and increased strength, to its wiping fabrics. This capability combined with Ahlstrom's and Orlandi's pulp-containing technologies positions Ahlstrom the leading supplier of pulp-containing wipes products", comments Claudio Ermondi, Senior Vice President, Nonwovens.

The market for wiping fabrics is estimated to grow at a rate of 7% annually, and even higher growth rates are anticipated in the emerging markets.

For further information, please contact:
Jukka Moisio, President and CEO, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +358 10 888 4700
Claudio Ermondi, Senior Vice President, Nonwovens, tel. +39 011 9260 232

Distribution:
Helsinki Stock Exchange
Main media
www.ahlstrom.com

Ahlstrom in brief

Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber-based materials. Nonwovens and specialty papers, made by Ahlstrom, are used in a large variety of everyday products, e.g. in filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. The company has a strong market position in several of the business areas in which it operates, built upon the company's unique fiber expertise and innovative approach. Ahlstrom's 5,700 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2006, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the Helsinki Stock change. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.

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