Ahlstrom Investigates Options for Spunlace Line


Helsinki, Finland, 21 September 2010 -- Ahlstrom, a global leader in nonwovens and specialty papers, will today start consultations with employees and customers to investigate future options, including a possible closure, for its spunlace composite production line number 23 at the Chirnside plant in the United Kingdom. The consultations affect a maximum of 11 employees.

The production line is currently underutilized and the level of activity is not enough to support the economic viability of the line. It produces nonwovens used in medical and wipes applications and for the automotive industry. In the case of closure, Ahlstrom aims to serve its customers from the company's other lines.

The Chirnside plant employs about 225 people and is part of Ahlstrom's Food and Medical Business Area.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and marketing of high performance nonwovens and specialty papers. Ahlstrom´s products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based on its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. Ahlstrom's 5800 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2009, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. The company Web site is at www.ahlstrom.com.