Ahlstrom - Company Announcement

Ahlstrom's revised strategy: Profitable growth based on two distinct business models

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 27.10.2009

Ahlstrom Corporation, leading supplier of nonwovens and specialty
papers, has completed its conclusions of the strategy review process
initiated in April. The aim of the process was to verify the future
direction and ambitions of the company. The development of business
operations will be based on profitable growth, with increased focus
in Asia. At the same time, the company aims to manage its balance
sheet and reduce its gearing ratio.

In accordance with the revised strategy, Ahlstrom's operations will
be based on two distinct business models resulting from different
competitive situations, market growth potential and possibilities to
differentiate in various product lines. The first business model is
based on providing customers with added value products and the second
on operational excellence.

The value-added business will be the company's primary growth engine,
developing through organic growth and possibly by making small
acquisitions. Innovative new products that help Ahlstrom's customers
become more competitive will create the foundation of success. The
cluster will include the Fiber Composites segment's Advanced
Nonwovens and Glass & Industrial Nonwovens business areas as well as
the transportation and liquid filtration media in the Filtration
business area.. It will also include crepe papers and vegetable
parchment from the Technical Papers business area of the Specialty
Papers segment.

The operational excellence business will be key to support the growth
of the company. The main focus will be to develop cost effective
products serving customer needs, through for instance, alternative
raw materials or new technological solutions. The cluster covers the
Release & Label Papers business area and the majority of the
Technical Papers business area in the Specialty Papers segment. In
the Fiber Composites segment, it will include the Home & Personal
Nonwovens business area and air filtration media in the Filtration
business area.

The long-term target of the strategy is to strengthen Ahlstrom's
competitive position and generate returns that are in line with the
company's financial targets. One of the most important indicators is
return on capital employed (ROCE), which should reach its target
level of 13%. In January-September ROCE was 1.5% and in
July-September 4.8%. Measures to reach these targets will be
continued with regard to the product lines and units falling below
the target level.

Ahlstrom Oyj
Jan Lång
President & CEO
Tel. +358 (0)10 888 4700



Distribution:
Main media
www.ahlstrom.com



Ahlstrom in brief

Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and
marketing of high performance nonwovens and specialty papers.
Ahlstrom's products are used in a large variety of everyday
applications, 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 6,000 employees serve customers via
sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on
six continents. In 2008, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.8
billion. Ahlstrom's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. The
company website is at www.ahlstrom.com.