Helsinki, Finland, 13 December 2007 -- Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, announced today that it will invest approximately EUR 10 million in new nonwovens capacity at its Turin plant in Italy. The investment consists of a rebuild of paper machine 4, currently producing release base papers, to manufacture nonwovens for industrial applications.

The line, which will use wetlaid technology, will be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2009. It is targeted to serve customers within the construction and building industries.

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 6500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2006, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.