Ahlstrom - Company Announcement

Ahlstrom revises its dividend policy

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 15.12.2009 at 14.50


The Board of Directors of  Ahlstrom Corporation has today decided  to
revise Ahlstrom's
dividend  policy  to  be  based  on  the  company's  cash  generating
capabilities. The policy will  be applied as  from the dividend  paid
for the financial year of 2009.

According to the new policy, Ahlstrom  will aim to pay a dividend  of
not less than  one third of  the net cash  from operating  activities
after operative investments  (such as  maintenance, cost  improvement
and efficiency improvement investments),  calculated as a  three-year
rolling average.  The three-year  rolling average  shall be  used  to
achieve stability in the dividend payout.

The remaining cash  flow shall be  used mainly for  reducing the  net
debt and for supporting the growth of the company.

Ahlstrom's previous  dividend  policy  has been  to  pay  a  dividend
averaging at least 50% of the  profit for the period of the  previous
financial year.


Ahlstrom Corporation
Board of Directors


Further information:

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, 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.