Displaying items by tag: ahlstrom

Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, presents its expanded Ahlstrom Easylife(TM) wallcover range at the China Wallpaper Exposition in Beijing on March 7-10, 2013. The company is developing new products in order to strengthen its leadership in the Chinese wallcover market.

Ahlstrom Easylife(TM) product offerings range from 3D appearances to new backing and coated facing materials. Additionally, Ahlstrom will be partnering with HP, presenting its EasyLife(TM) digital printing products with HP's latest Latex printing technology. Ahlstrom EasyLife(TM) is quickly expanding into the digital arena and is positioned as one of the leading substrates for nonwoven digital wallcover applications.

Furthermore, Ahlstrom will sponsor the Ahlstrom EasyLife(TM) Cup, Wallcovering Design Contest at the China Wallcovering Expo, March 5-7, 2013. Here talented wallcovering designers will gather together, displaying their creative and exquisite work, many of which are based Ahlstrom EasyLife(TM) nonwoven materials. This type of contest is a great way to encourage creative and unique designs, facilitating the positive growth of the Chinese wallcover market.

All Ahlstrom's new wallcover substrates have been developed to reduce environmental impact, as sustainability is a key focus for Ahlstrom. All products utilize FSC pulp and are CE and RAL approved. Recycled polyester is used in several new products, a process that has reduced our cradle-to-gate environmental impact by 10%

Ahlstrom is a global leading producer of wallcover substrates, producing the widest product range on the market. Its materials are manufactured in Europe and North America and are part of Ahlstrom's Building and Energy business area. In order to further support development of the Chinese wallcovering market, Ahlstrom will commence manufacture of nonwoven wallcover substrate in Binzhou, Shandong province. Production of high quality and innovative wallcover substrates will start during late 2013.

Ahlstrom booth at 12th China (Beijing) Wallpaper Exposition by Build Decor is E4-C08.

Ahlstrom's Annual Report 2012, including the financial statements, the report of operations and Corporate Governance Statement, has been published today on the company's website in English and Finnish. The publications can be viewed as PDF files at www.ahlstrom.com > Investors.

In addition, Ahlstrom will publish next week its Sustainability Report 2012. The publication will available in English on the company's website. 

Ahlstrom's Corporate Governance Statement 2012 and Remuneration Statement 2012 have also been published today as separate documents. The statements are available as PDF files in English and Finnish on the company's website at www.ahlstrom.com > Investors > Corporate governance.

Printed reports will be available next week and can be ordered via the company's website or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The English version of the Annual Report 2012 is attached to this document as a PDF file. 

Ahlstrom will publish its financial statements bulletin 2012 on Thursday, January 31, 2013, approximately at 12.00 noon Finnish time (CET +1).

Ahlstrom's President & CEO Jan Lång and CFO Seppo Parvi will present the report in Finnish at an analyst and press conference in Helsinki on Thursday, January 31 at 2.00 p.m. Finnish time. The conference will take place at event arena Bank, Unioninkatu 20. The name of the meeting room will be displayed on the board in the lobby.

In addition, CEO Lång and CFO Parvi will hold a conference call in English on the same day at 4.00 p.m. Finnish time. To participate in the teleconference, please dial +358 (0)9 6937 9543 in Finland or +44 (0)20 7136 2050 outside Finland a few minutes before the conference begins. The confirmation code is 2482850.

The event can also be viewed as a live audio cast at www.ahlstrom.com. Registration is required. It is possible to participate in the Q & A session via online.

An on-demand audio webcast of the conference will be available on Ahlstrom's website for twelve months after the call.

The presentation material will be available at www.ahlstrom.com > Investors > Reports and presentations > 2012 after the financial statements bulletin 2012 has been published.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, provides preliminary information on net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations for 2012.

In 2012, net sales from continuing operations amounted to approximately EUR 1,011 million and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations was approximately EUR 18 million.

Ahlstrom had previously expected net sales from continuing operations to be EUR 960 - 1,040 million and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations to be EUR 22 - 32 million in 2012.

The operating profit excluding non-recurring items for 2012 is lower than the company had earlier anticipated because of weaker sales mix and volumes across all key markets towards the end of the year, as well as longer than expected production downtime taken during the last quarter.

The figures are based on unaudited preliminary financial results. Ahlstrom will publish its financial statements bulletin 2012 on January 31, 2013.

Ahlstrom's Board of Directors has today appointed Alexander Ehrnrooth, M.Sc. (Econ.), MBA, as a non-board member of its Nomination Committee. Alexander Ehrnrooth (b. 1974) is President and CEO of Virala Oy Ab as well as member of the Board of Directors of Wärtsilä Corporation and Deputy Chairman of Fiskars Corporation.

Alexander Ehrnrooth represents Vimpu Intressenter Ab, which is the second-biggest shareholder of Ahlstrom, and Belgrano Investments Oy. In addition to three board members, the Nomination Committee consists of three non-board members representing major shareholders. The composition of the committee aims at increasing shareholder influence in nomination matters.

As of December 17, 2012, the members of the Nomination Committee are Peter Seligson, Pertti Korhonen, Anders Moberg as well as the non-board members Risto Murto, Thomas Ahlström and Alexander Ehrnrooth.

Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, has completed its range of Silco(TM) Flat release papers for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) graphics, with the addition of newly developed products for the most demanding graphics applications and for plotter cut films.

Large format self-adhesive graphics are applied on large surfaces to create appealing decoration or advertising in architecture, retail, vehicles or exhibitions. Release liners used for such laminates need to be specially designed to perform well during lamination, printing or plotter cutting, in order to deliver outstanding visual effect once the film has been applied on the surface.

As a leading global release papers supplier, Ahlstrom has developed through the years a range of sustainable paper products for PSA graphic laminates, supplied to the key players in this industry. To be aligned with the latest advances in printing and cutting technologies, the Ahlstrom Silco(TM) Flat range was recently enlarged with new high performance materials.

Ahlstrom Silco(TM) Flat Premium has been developed for the most demanding graphic applications. Its increased top and backside smoothness enhance the vinyl film glossiness while its backside moisture barrier ensures outstanding planarity for faultless performance during printing.

Additionally, Ahlstrom Silco(TM) Flat HB has been designed specifically for plotter cut films. Its high internal bond enables a cut with a high degree of precision, even with the most complex shapes or smallest letters. Its high top side smoothness delivers a high gloss and avoids orange peel effect, ensuring perfect finish of the most sensitive vinyls or thin transparent films.

Made of natural fibers, release papers are the most sustainable release liner substrates. Entirely based on renewable raw materials, they are derived from responsible forestry, are recyclable and biodegradable.

The Competition Directorate-General of the EU Commission has completed the first phase of its investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the transaction between Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business and Munksjö AB and opened an in-depth (second phase) investigation into the proposed combination with respect to abrasive backings and pre-impregnated decor paper. The Commission now has 90 working days, until April 29, 2013, to 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.

Ahlstrom and Munksjö AB continue to work closely with the Commission in order to allow the Commission to complete its review as quickly as possible, aiming at a completion of the demerger of Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business in Europe and other related measures forming the first phase of the planned transaction during the first quarter of 2013. It is, however, possible that the completion of the first phase of the planned transaction will not take place until the second quarter of 2013.

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.

Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, updates its 2012 outlook for net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items after the Extraordinary General Meeting of the company approved the demerger of the Label and Processing  business area.  

Ahlstrom's Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders today resolved to approve the demergers of the Label and Processing business in Europe and the Coated Specialties business in Brazil according to the respective demerger plans. Consequently, the Label and Processing business area will be classified as an asset held for distribution to owners and reported separately as discontinued operations in the Financial Statements Bulletin 2012.

Ahlstrom's view of the market environment remains unchanged. However, the outlook is only adjusted to reflect the resolution by the EGM to approve the demerger of the Label and Processing business area.

Ahlstrom now expects net sales from continuing operations to be EUR 960 -1,040 million and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations to be EUR 22 - 32 million in 2012. Ahlstrom had previously estimated, including the Label and Processing business area, net sales to be EUR 1,550 - 1,630 million and operating profit excluding non-recurring items to be EUR 48 - 58 million.

The cost structure of the continuing operations has been adjusted with the costs historically allocated to the discontinued businesses to the extent such costs will remain with Ahlstrom after the demergers.

Earlier this month, Ahlstrom announced that the company intends to rightsize its cost base to reflect the future size and scope of the company following the closing of the Label and Processing transaction. The company aims to achieve a total of EUR 15 million in cost savings within one year after the closing of the transaction. 

Ahlstrom Corporation's Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM) was held today on November 27, 2012.

Demerger of the Label and Processing business in Europe

The EGM resolved to approve the demerger concerning the Ahlstrom Group's Label and Processing business in Europe ('LP Europe Demerger') in accordance with the demerger plan.

Upon the execution of the demerger concerning the Label and Processing business in Europe, the shareholders of Ahlstrom Corporation will receive as demerger consideration 0.25 new shares in Munksjö Oyj for each share owned in Ahlstrom Corporation (i.e. the exchange ratio is 4:1). In case the number of shares received by a shareholder of the company as demerger consideration would be a fractional number, the fractions will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. No demerger consideration will be paid on the basis of own shares held by Ahlstrom Corporation.

The completion of the demerger is subject to, among other things, approvals of the competition authorities.

Demerger of the Label and Processing business in Brazil

The EGM resolved to approve the demerger concerning the Ahlstrom Group's Label and Processing business in Brazil ('Coated Specialties Demerger') in accordance with the demerger plan.

Upon execution of the demerger concerning the Label and Processing business in Brazil, the shareholders of Ahlstrom Corporation will receive as demerger consideration 0.265 new shares in Munksjö Oyj for each share owned in Ahlstrom Corporation. In case the number of shares received by a shareholder of the company as demerger consideration would be a fractional number, the fractions will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. No demerger consideration will be paid on the basis of own shares held by Ahlstrom Corporation.

The completion of the demerger is subject to, among other things, certain regulatory approvals in Brazil, including the approval of the Brazilian competition authority (CADE). 

Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, has developed a PFOA-free* version of its Ahlstrom Coralpack range, a flexible packaging paper for direct wrapping and packing of numerous grease-containing food products, such as biscuits, pastries, coffee beans, fast food, take-away food, pizzas, popcorn for micro wave, butter & margarine, soup cubes and many more.

To produce grease resistant packaging papers, fluorochemicals are added in the paper production process. However, deriving from the production process of these fluorochemicals, trace amounts of PFOA can be found as an unintended impurity.  In January 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited manufacturers of fluorochemicals to commit to reduce by 95% PFOA from their emissions and products content not later than by 2010 and to eliminate it totally by 2015.

To offer its customers a grease resistant paper free of this unintended impurity, Ahlstrom Group Product & Technology Development services have designed a new generation of grease resistant papers.

Today, the entire Ahlstrom Coralpack paper range is available on request in a New Generation (NG) version, free of PFOA*. The product's paper range spans from 32 to 200 grams per square meter and offers high performance paper characteristics such as printability, laminating, extrusion and crimping. Ahlstrom Coralpack is produced at the Rottersac plant South-West of France. Whatever their grease contents, food products packed or wrapped in Ahlstrom Coralpack papers are always free of grease stains, which positively impacts the image of different brands in consumer minds. This environmentally-friendly product improvement is another Ahlstrom contribution to make its customers stay ahead in their markets.

* Does not contain Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (below current detection limits of 20 ppb), cannot release PFOA or any PFOA precursor.