Ahlstrom to offer local logistics platform in China for its filtration business

Ahlstrom Corporation, a leader in high performance fiber-based solutions, announced today that it will be providing customers in China with added flexibility and service with the opening of a local logistics platform.

Based in Wuxi, China, this platform will offer warehousing, converting and packaging for all filtration customers. This operation will enable Ahlstrom to meet customers' specific requirements as well as increase flexibility and reduce lead times.

This platform, which is expected to be operational June 1st, 2006, further strengthens Ahlstrom's filtration offering in Asia. With base materials manufactured on multiple lines in South Korea and China and now value added converting and distribution in China, the filtration business is well positioned to serve customers with a wide range of specifically engineered filter media.

The sales and technical support organizations remain unchanged and will continue to rely on local sales offices assisted by site-based resources.

Contacts:
Randal Davis, Sr. VP Filtration, +1 860 654 8320, randal.davis@ahlstrom.com
Jerome Barrillon, Marketing Director Filtration, +1 860 654 8607, jerome.barrillon@ahlstrom.com

Ahlstrom in brief
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, 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 5,500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2005, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.55 billion. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.