Ahlstrom is simplifying its divisions from five to three: Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials. This means that the former Filtration and Healthcare divisions merge to form Filtration and Life Sciences division, Food and Consumer Packaging remains the same, and the former Building Materials and Technical Materials divisions form the new Protective Materials division.

The business units and plants remain the heart of Ahlstrom's business and operations and their structure will not change. The streamlined structure will drive simplicity, take out cost and will allow the business units to further focus on driving growth.

The ambitions of the new divisions are:

Filtration and Life Sciences: Ahlstrom's "purifying" powerhouse with mission critical air and liquid filtration applications and life science and medical solutions. The division aims to expand in industrial filtration and bioprocessing, leveraging clean air and water and personalized healthcare trends. Daniele Borlatto, previously EVP, Filtration division is appointed as EVP, Filtration & Life Sciences division.

Food and Consumer Packaging: Solutions for improved food safety, product preservation, and bacteria prevention, helping extend product life and protect human health. The division has the ambition to lead the transition from single-use plastic to more sustainable packaging, leveraging new barrier solutions and high-performance materials that are safe and sustainable by design. The search for a new division head is ongoing.

Protective Materials: Highly engineered materials for every surface of the building, and specialty materials for electrotechnical and other industrial applications. The division has the ambition to offer sustainable solutions for the decarbonization of buildings and industrial electrification and grow in niche, high-performance industrial applications. Sophie Haan, previously EVP, Technical Materials division is appointed as EVP, Protective Materials division.

Mark Ushpol, EVP for Food & Consumer Packaging division, Emmanuelle Picard, EVP for Building Materials division, and Jacques Lafon, EVP for Healthcare division will leave to pursue careers outside Ahlstrom.

The changes in organization are effective from May 1, 2024.