Ahlstrom lowers 2013 net sales and operating profit outlook

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE September 16, 2013 at 09.25

Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, lowers its full-year guidance for net sales and operating profit due to lower than expected sales volumes as demand has continued to be soft in Ahlstrom's key markets in Europe and North America.

Also maintenance related downtime at Osnabrück plant in Germany and adverse currency fluctuations have impacted net sales and operating profit development negatively.

Ahlstrom now forecasts net sales from continuing operations to be EUR 960-1,040 million in 2013. The operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations will be 0-2% of net sales. The company had previously expected net sales from continuing operations to be EUR 980-1,140 million, and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations of 2-5% of net sales in 2013. 

The company will publish its January-September 2013 interim report on October 24, 2013.

For more information, please contact:
Seppo Parvi
CFO
Tel. +358 10 888 4768

Liisa Nyyssönen
Vice President, Communications
Tel. +358 10 888 4757

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a high performance fiber-based 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, diagnostics, wallcoverings, flooring and food packaging. We have a leading market position in the businesses in which we operate. In 2012, Ahlstrom's net sales from the continuing operations (excluding Label and Processing business) amounted to EUR 1 billion. Our 3,800 employees serve customers in 28 countries on six continents. Ahlstrom's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information available at www.ahlstrom.com.