Ahlstrom - Company Announcement

Ahlstrom's restructuring measures in Q4/2007 to improve profitability

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 03.01.2008

Ahlstrom has during the fourth quarter 2007 taken additional
restructuring actions in various parts of the organization reducing
altogether 250 positions. Combined with the previously announced
restructuring measures, a total of four sites and nine manufacturing
lines will be closed and consequently 650 positions will be lost. The
total non-recurring costs, approximately EUR 45 million, are booked
in the fourth quarter result of 2007.

The main focus area of the restructuring measures is the European
operations of the Specialty Papers segment including the closure of
three non-competitive manufacturing lines during the first half of
2008, affecting 450 positions, i.e. the earlier announced plans to
close the Ascoli and Chantraine plants and the Turin PM4 release base
paper line. In the FiberComposites segment six manufacturing lines
are closed and 200 positions reduced.  The non-recurring
restructuring costs amount to approximately EUR 45 million of which
asset write-offs are EUR 9 million. The restructuring has a positive
cash flow due to the release of working capital, and it is targeted
to bring profit improvement of EUR 25 million on an annual basis."The systematic restructuring actions taken enable Ahlstrom to start
the year 2008 with a more competitive cost structure and a leaner
organization. The recent acquisitions and the ongoing investment
projects in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC countries) will
make Ahlstrom well-positioned to succeed and grow in 2008 and
beyond", comments President & CEO Jukka Moisio.

Ahlstrom Corporation
Jukka Moisio, President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Jukka Moisio, President & CEO, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +358
(0)10 888 4700
Jari Mäntylä, CFO, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. + 358 (0)10 888 4768

Distribution:
Helsinki Stock Exchange
Main media
www.ahlstrom.com


Ahlstrom in brief

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 6,500 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.