Ahlstrom plans to expand its operations in India

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 7.5.2007 at 8.35

 

Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mundra Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gujarat, India to purchase a land area of 5 hectares in the Textile and Apparel Park. The purchase is a step ahead in Ahlstrom's plan to start production of fiber-based materials in the Mundra SEZ to serve both export and domestic markets of the FiberComposites segment. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the property.

 

Ahlstrom has a liaison office in Delhi, India which markets a wide range of products, e.g. specialty papers, nonwovens (medical, food, wipes, technical), filtration and glassfiber tissue and specialty reinforcements.

 

Mundra SEZ is one of the largest SEZs in India with approval for 100 square kilometers of land and plans to establish a number of industrial parks. The Textile and Apparel Park covers 47 hectares and is partly funded by the Indian government. Mundra is strategically located in the Western State of Gujarat near the city of Bhuj. Mundra SEZ offers significant tax, infrastructure as well as logistics advantages and is located adjacent to Mundra Port.

 

 

Jukka Moisio

Ahlstrom Corporation

 

 

Risto Anttonen, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, tel. +358 (0)10 888 4166, risto.anttonen@ahlstorm.com

 

Rahul Dharmadhikary, Director, Business Development India, tel. +1 860 292 4396 ,

rahul.dharmadhikary@ahlstrom.com

 

Distribution:

Helsinki Stock Exchange

Main media

www.ahlstrom.com

 

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 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 Exchange. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.