Helsinki, Finland, 23 March 2011 -- Ahlstrom Corporation has recently agreed to sell the buildings, land, and assets of its Ascoli mill in Italy to Eurocomet.

The value of the transaction is approximately EUR 4.0 million, of which the land and buildings comprise EUR 2.5 million. As a result of the sale, Ahlstrom will book a nonrecurring gain of approximately EUR 2.0 million in its second-quarter financial results.

Ahlstrom permanently closed the Ascoli mill and ceased production of one-sided coated papers there in early 2008 because of unsatisfactory profitability. The parties have agreed that Eurocomet will develop the site for other purposes than papermaking and the machinery will be scrapped. Ahlstrom will keep some of the machinery parts.

The transaction is subject to customary closing terms and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2011.