Ahlstrom to add new filter media nonwoven line in South Carolina, USA
Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 11.5.2007
Ahlstrom, a leader in high-performance fiber based materials, announced today that it will invest EUR 8 million in a new needlepunch line for its North American filtration business, targeting the growing dust filtration market.
The new line, using state of the art nonwoven technology, will be located in the current Darlington, South Carolina, facility. The targeted completion date is slated for early 2008. The new line will manufacture a full range of needlepunched fabrics, mainly for the high-temperature dust filtration industry. The line will complement the current capabilities in this market and improve our position as a global leader of filtration materials.
"The demand for high temperature needled felts continues to grow in North America as industries look to reduce atmospheric emissions and ozone pollutants", commented Scott Murdock, Vice President Filtration North America. "We plan to enhance Ahlstrom's position in this segment as a high quality, service leader to support the market growth, as well as provide a competitive platform closer to our customers".
"This new investment for dust filtration, in combination with the announcement in February of a new line for air filtration, should serve as a strong commitment to North American customers that Ahlstrom intends to support growth in the filtration markets", added Jukka Moisio, President and CEO of Ahlstrom Corporation.
Ahlstrom's Filtration business is a leading global manufacturer of filtration materials used in air, liquid and transportation applications with 13 production sites across four continents.
Jukka Moisio
Ahlstrom Corporation
For more information, please contact:
Jukka Moisio, President & CEO, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +358 (0)10 888 4700, jukka.moisio@ahlstrom.com
Scott Murdock, VP Filtration North America, +1 860 654 8362, scott.murdock@ahlstrom.com
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Helsinki Stock Exchange
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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, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based upon its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. 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.