Ahlstrom - Company Announcement

Ahlstrom establishes joint venture to start production of medical papers and masking tape in China

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 28.10.2010 at 9.45

Ahlstrom  Corporation,  a  leading  developer  and  producer  of  nonwovens  and
specialty papers, has today signed a joint venture agreement with Longkou Yulong
Paper Co. Ltd, a paper producer based in Longkou, in the province of Shandong in
northeastern  China. The  parties have  agreed to  establish a new manufacturing
facility  in the  Zhuyouguan Industrial  Park in  Longkou for  the production of
medical papers used e.g. in sterilization wraps, and masking tape substrates for
the building industry in the Asian market.

The parties have agreed that Ahlstrom will have a 60% share in the joint venture
and  Longkou Yulong Paper will have  a 40% share. The total estimated investment
amounts to EUR 21.9 million, of which Ahlstrom will invest EUR 13.1 million. The
start-up of the new plant is planned for the summer of 2012.

Ahlstrom President & CEO Jan Lång regards the joint venture as an important step
in  the  implementation  of  Ahlstrom's  growth  strategy in Asia, and of mutual
benefit for both companies."We are very pleased to have Yulong Paper as our joint venture partner in China,
as the company is very well established in the local paper market and has strong
expertise  in the paper industry. Through this joint venture, we will be able to
serve  our  local  customers  in  China  and  Asia in the growing healthcare and
building markets", Jan Lång states.

The  new site  will be  part of  Ahlstrom's Food  & Medical Business Area, which
accounted for approximately 20% of the Group's net sales in the third quarter of
2010. The  agreement  is  still  subject  to  the  necessary  approvals  by  the
authorities and the fulfillment of general closing conditions.

Ahlstrom  currently generates about 10 percent of  its annual net sales in Asia,
and has stated that its strategic target is to grow its Asian footprint markedly
from  the current level. As part  of implementing this growth strategy, Ahlstrom
acquired  the  automotive  filter  manufacturer  Shandong  Puri  Filter  & Paper
Products Ltd, based in Binzhou, Shandong, in September.

In  addition  to  the  new  plant  to  be  established,  Ahlstrom has four other
manufacturing plants and twelve sales offices in Asia.

Further information:
Ahlstrom Corporation
Risto Anttonen, Deputy to the CEO, tel. +358 10 888 4166
Jan Lång, President & CEO, tel. +358 10 888 4700
Seppo Parvi, CFO, tel +358 10 888 4768

Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main media
www.ahlstrom.com

Ahlstrom in brief

Ahlstrom  is  a  global  leader  in  the  development  and manufacturing 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 5,800 employees serve customers via sales offices
and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2009,
Ahlstrom's  net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is quoted on
the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. The company website is at www.ahlstrom.com.

Longkou Yulong Paper in brief

Longkou  Yulong Paper Co. Ltd is a  comprehensive pulp and paper making company,
privatized from Shandong Longkou General Papermaking Plant, a former state-owned
company  originally started up  in 1977. The company  produces various grades of
premium  book  and  magazine  papers.  It  operates  six paper machines with the
capacity  of 60,000 tons annually, and has  a matching poplar pulp-making system
and  a heat and power  plant. The company has  1,200 employees and is located in
Longkou  City, Shandong  Province, 25 kilometers  from the  Longkou Port and 90
kilometers  from  Yantai  Airport.  Longkou  has  a  large  commercial port with
excellent  connections to China and Asia by road and sea. The company website is
at www.yulongpaper.com.



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