Ahlstrom to Close its Chantraine Plant in France

Helsinki, Finland, 10 December 2007 -- Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, announced today that it has completed the review process of its Chantraine plant in France. The company has informed the plant's works council about the project to close the plant due to unsatisfactory profitability and cash flow. Ahlstrom estimates to book a nonrecurring cost of approximately EUR 11 million related to the closure in its fourth quarter result in 2007.

The closure, effective by the second quarter of 2008, would affect approximately 120 people and reduce the annual production capacity of one-side coated papers by approximately 30,000 tons.

Ahlstrom announced on 10 October 2007, that it would put the Italian Ascoli and the French Chantraine plants under review due to unsatisfactory profitability and cash flow. Both plants are part of Ahlstrom's Release & Label Papers business area. On 30 October 2007, Ahlstrom announced the closure of the Ascoli plant by mid-January 2008 and estimated to book a nonrecurring cost of approximately EUR 15 million. The closure of the Ascoli plant affects 200 people and reduces the annual production capacity of one-side coated papers by approximately 65,000 tons.

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 Helsinki Stock Exchange. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.