Ahlstrom receives a Statement of Objections from the European Commission related to the proposed combination of Label and Processing and Munksjö

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE February 22, 2013 at 9.45

Not for distribution in or into Australia, Canada, the Hong Kong special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States.

Ahlstrom and Munksjö have today received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission. The document issued by the EU addresses the competitive effects of the proposed combination of Ahlstrom's Label and Processing Business and Munksjö with respect to abrasive backings and pre-impregnated decor paper.

Ahlstrom and Munksjö are working closely with the EU Commission in order to resolve the competition issues identified by the Commission. No final decisions have been taken yet with regard to potential remedies. The potential effect of any remedies on the previously identified synergies will be communicated in due course.

As a consequence of the negotiations with the EU Commission, Ahlstrom now expects to complete the demerger of the company's Label and Processing business in Europe and other related measures forming the first phase of the planned transaction during the second quarter of 2013 instead of the previously targeted first quarter of 2013. The demerger of Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business in Brazil is still expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2013.

The EU commission opened a second phase investigation into the proposed combination in December 2012 with respect to abrasive backings and pre-impregnated décor papers. Following the investigation, the Commission will take a final decision on whether the combination would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

On November 27, 2012, Ahlstrom's Extraordinary General Meeting approved the demerger concerning Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business in Europe and the demerger concerning Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business in Brazil in accordance with the demerger plans.

For more information, please contact:
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.

Disclaimer
This document may not be distributed in or into Australia, Canada, the Hong Kong special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States. The information contained herein shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities referred to herein in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

This document is not an offer for sale of securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Ahlstrom Corporation, Munksjö AB and Munksjö Corporation have not registered, and do not intend to register, any offering of the Munksjö shares in the United States. There will be no public offering of the Munksjö shares in the United States.

This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (iv) persons who are members or creditors of the company to which this communication relates, falling within article 43(2) of the Order (all such persons in (i), (ii) (iii) and (iv) above together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment activity to which this document relates will be only available to and will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Releases