2007-09-21 11:25:56 CEST

2007-09-21 11:25:56 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

English
Ahlstrom - Company Announcement

Ahlstrom signs an agreement to form a joint venture for specialty paper production in China



Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 21.9.2007

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based materials, today announced
that it has signed the agreements with Zhejiang Kan Specialty
Material Co (KAN Paper) and its management to acquire a majority
shareholding in a specialty papers joint venture in China, as
announced on September 10, 2007. In accordance with the agreements,
Ahlstrom will hold 70% of the shares in the joint venture. The
debt-free value of the acquisition is expected to be approximately
EUR 10 million.

The assets in the joint venture currently comprise a paper machine,
water treatment and 15 hectares of land in Kaifeng, China. The annual
production capacity of the joint venture is approximately 12,000 tons
and it employs 130 people.

The joint venture will be part of Ahlstrom's Technical Papers
business area, is mainly aimed to serve the local crepe paper markets
and serves as a platform for Ahlstrom's further growth in China. The
market for crepe papers in China is estimated to grow approximately
15% annually.

The deal is expected to be closed during the fourth quarter of 2007.
The completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals
and satisfactory conclusion of the due diligence process. The final
transaction price will be confirmed in connection with the due
diligence process. Ahlstrom will purchase the remaining share in the
joint venture after two years.

Ahlstrom has currently one manufacturing site in China producing dust
filtration materials as well as three sales offices.


Ahlstrom Corporation
Jukka Moisio, President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Jukka Moisio, President & CEO, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +358
(0)10 888 4700
Risto Anttonen, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations,
Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +358 50 597 8400

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 6,200 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.