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Ahlstrom Acquires Munktell to Accelerate Growth in Advanced Filtration Materials

Ahlstrom, a global high performance materials company, has today signed an agreement to acquire the Sweden-based Munktell Filter AB as a strategic step to grow the advanced filtration business particularly in life science and laboratory applications.

Under the agreement, Ahlstrom will acquire 100 percent of the shares in Munktell Filter AB, as well as its holdings in Munktell & Filtrak GmbH, Filtres Fioroni SA and Munktell Inc. The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately EUR 20 million, including the planned subsequent buyouts of minority interests. Through the transaction, Ahlstrom will become a global leader in life science and laboratory media filtration.

According to Jan Lång, President & CEO, the acquisition reinforces Ahlstrom’s leadership in filtration material markets worldwide. “There is a clear strategic fit with Munktell and Ahlstrom, and the transaction allows us to strengthen our product portfolio in advanced filtration materials. This move is a prime example of our focus on new type of high performance materials business with attractive future growth potential.”

“When we combine Munktell’s strong position in the European advanced filtration market with our solid presence in North America, we will gain access to new markets geographically. Driven by global changes in demographics, life science and laboratory filtration are lucrative growth areas for us,” added Tommi Björnman, Executive Vice President, Filtration.

Munktell is based in Falun, Sweden and it has production sites in Germany and Sweden, a joint venture in France, as well as a sales office in the U.S. The company’s net sales amounted to approximately EUR 15 million and operating profit margin was roughly 15% in 2011. It employs some 100 people. Munktell produces filtration materials mainly for life science and laboratory applications. End-use examples include new born screening, laboratory media filtration, filter materials for pollution control, as well as testing materials used by medical, sugar and beverage industries.

Munktell will be integrated into Ahlstrom’s Filtration business area. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of October 2012 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Ahlstrom is the global leader of filtration materials with 11 production sites producing filtration materials across four continents.

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a high performance 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, surgical gowns and drapes, wallcoverings, flooring, labels and food packaging. We have a leading market position in the businesses in which we operate. Our 5,200 employees serve customers in 28 countries on six continents. In 2011, Ahlstrom’s net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. The company’s share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information is available at www.ahlstrom.com.