Ahlstrom extends innovative Acti-V(TM) technology to its entire supercalendered release papers range

Ahlstrom Corporation PRESS RELEASE 23.5.2012 at 13.00

Ahlstrom, a global high performance materials company, will extend the application of its recently launched Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) technology to all supercalendered release papers manufactured at its La Gère plant in France. The products are used for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) labeling, as well as for specialty tape and industrial applications.

Ahlstrom started to market Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) release papers for PSA labeling applications, manufactured at its Turin plant in Italy. In order to meet the growing customer demand worldwide, the company is planning equipment modifications at its La Gère facility in France in August 2012.  Consequently, Ahlstrom will be able to increase its Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) production volume and potentially reach up to one hundred percent of the plant's output. This will also enable applying Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) technology to the two-side silicone coating papers range for tape and industrial applications, which represent a major focus of the French site.

Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) is a new generation of release papers for silicone coating. The Ahlstrom patented technology was first introduced to the market at Labelexpo Europe 2011 in the end of last year. Thanks to the new technology, Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) plays an active role in the silicone curing and anchorage process. Silicone curing requires less catalyst (platinum) and energy. At the same time, it improves silicone coverage while the anchorage is stronger and more durable, even in challenging environmental conditions.

"Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) has received an extremely warm acceptance from the market, since it responds to some of the key operational challenges of our customers. A few months after introduction, the product proves its benefits running on industrial coaters in Europe, Asia and the Americas. By expanding manufacturing to our La Gère plant, we will be in the position to offer Ahlstrom Acti-V(TM) benefits for an even wider number of applications" says Daniele Borlatto, Executive Vice President, Label and Processing.

Ahlstrom is a global leading producer of release papers for the PSA industry. It operates five release liners production sites located in Europe (4) and South America (1). Those plants belong to the Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business area.

For more information, please contact:
Daniele Borlatto, Executive Vice President, Label and Processing, +39 011 926 0111
Liisa Nyyssönen, Vice President, Communications, Tel. +358 10 888 4757

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a high performance materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. Our products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, medical gowns and drapes, wallcovers, flooring, labels and food packaging. We have a leading market position in the businesses in which we operate. Our 5,200 employees serve customers in 28 countries on six continents. In 2011, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. The company's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information is available at www.ahlstrom.com.