Ahlstrom's negotiations to form a joint venture in China terminated

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 2.5.2008

 

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based materials, today announced that the negotiations with Zhejiang KAN Specialty Material Co and its management to form a joint venture for the production of specialty paper in China have been terminated.

 

The agreements were signed in September 2007 and the deal was originally expected to be closed during the fourth quarter of 2007. The conditions precedent for the closing were not, however, met and the subsequent negotiations did not result in any agreement.

 

Asia-Pacific continues to be one of the focus areas in Ahlstrom's growth strategy. Ahlstrom has currently manufacturing sites in China and Korea. In addition, the company is establishing a new medical nonwovens plant in India. Ahlstrom's network of sales offices operates currently in ten Asia-Pacific countries.

 

Ahlstrom Corporation

 

Risto Anttonen, CEO

 

 

 

Risto Anttonen, CEO, tel. +358 (0)50 597 8400
Jari Mäntylä, CFO, tel. +358 (0)50 325 8768

 

 

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, 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 6,500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2007, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.8 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.