INCREASE IN SHARE CAPITAL OF AHLSTROM CORPORATION REGISTERED WITH TRADE REGISTER

The increase in share capital related to the exercising of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters in connection with the initial public offering of Ahlstrom has been registered with the trade register today, March 17, 2006. The share capital was increased by 1,150,000 shares equaling EUR 1,725,000.

 

Ahlstrom is a 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, including filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. The Company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates, built upon the Company's unique fiber expertise and innovative approach. Ahlstrom's 5,525 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in 22 countries on six continents. In 2005, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.55 billion. The Company website is www.ahlstrom.com.

 

Jukka Moisio, President and CEO, tel. +358 (0)10 888 4700

 

This press release is not a prospectus and as such does not constitute an offer to sell securities. Investors should not subscribe for any securities referred to in this document, except on the basis of the information contained in a prospectus. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law or where any registration or prospectus or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Finland.

These materials are not an offer for sale of securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction of the European Economic Area.  Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Ahlstrom Corporation has not registered, and does not intend to register, any portion of any offering of its securities in the United States, and does not intend to conduct a public offering of its securities in the United States. 

This press release may not be distributed or sent into the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan.  This press release is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons").  The Offer Shares are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Offer Shares will be engaged in only with, relevant persons.  Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents.

This press release is an advertisement for the purposes of applicable measures implementing Directive 2003/71/EC (such Directive, together with any applicable implementing measures in the relevant home Member State under such Directive, the "Prospectus Directive").  A prospectus prepared pursuant to the Prospectus Directive has been published in Finland and was available to the public in Finland at the subscription places for the offering.

Any offer of securities to the public that may be deemed to be made pursuant to this communication in any EEA Member State that has implemented Prospectus Directive is only addressed to qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive.

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