Ahlstrom financial Report January-March 2026 published
Media

Ahlstrom financial Report January-March 2026 published

AHLSTROM OYJ, PRESS RELEASE, May 7, 2026, at 09:00 EEST 

Ahlstrom Oyj has published the Financial Report for January-March 2026, today. The report is available at www.ahlstrom.com/investors. Earnings call for investors will be held today at 14:00 EEST (13:00 CEST). 

  • Improvement across key financial metrics, strengthening both sequentially and year over year, and in line with expectations  

  • Strategic improvement initiatives announced in February, strengthening long-term competitiveness of the company  

  • Comparable EBITDA margin increased to a record Q1 level of 16.1%, highlighting strategic progress towards a specialty materials portfolio  

  • Limited impact of Middle East conflict so far, once again proving the strength of global footprint and local‑for‑local operating model 

Financial and Operational Highlights Q1/20261  

  • Reported net sales flat at EUR 738 million (739), while net sales increased by 6% at constant currency driven by 2025 acquisitions and strong execution of the opportunity pipeline 

  • Margin on Variable Costs (MoVC) per ton amounted to EUR 1,064 (1,127), while at constant currency MoVC per ton was EUR 1,128. 

  • Comparable EBITDA increased to EUR 119 million (108), representing 16.1% (14.6%) of net sales 

  • Comparable EBITDA margin of Core divisions2 improved to 19.0% (18.1%) 

  • Reported EBITDA decreased to EUR 62 million (99) due to higher one-time items affecting comparability (IAC) of EUR -55 million (-7) including rightsizing of Mosinee and Radcliffe closure 

  • Operating cash flow improved to EUR 54 million (41) 

  • Net indebtedness at EUR 2,653 million (Q4/2025: 2,608), impacted by foreign exchange in the first quarter 

1Comparing figures for Q1/2025 between brackets unless indicated differently 
2Core divisions include Filtration & Life Sciences, Food & Consumer Packaging and Protective Materials 

Helen Mets, President and CEO, commented:

“Ahlstrom delivered a solid start to 2026, against a backdrop of continued global economic uncertainty. We improved across key financial metrics, with sales, margin on variable costs, comparable EBITDA, and operating cash flow strengthening both sequentially and year over year.

At constant currency, sales grew 6% year over year, supported by recent acquisitions and strong execution of our opportunity pipeline. Our comparable EBITDA margin increased to a Record Q1 level of 16.1%, underscoring the specialty nature of our portfolio and our ability to perform in an uncertain environment. These results reflect disciplined execution, a resilient business model, and the commitment of our teams across the company.

In line with the refined strategy we communicated in the first quarter, we continue to take decisive actions to strengthen long-term competitiveness, profitability, and focus.

This includes the announced rightsizing of our Mosinee site in the United States, effective in the second half of 2026, and the closure of the Radcliffe facilities in the UK as of March 31. While these decisions are never easy, they are necessary to future proof the company and ensure a strong, sustainable Ahlstrom going forward. At the same time, we have intensified our focus on operational excellence, including the rollout of a companywide waste reduction program. These initiatives support margin improvement today and beyond, while building the foundation for future growth.

Our global footprint and local‑for‑local operating model has again proved its strength during recent supply chain disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Thanks to limited exposure to the region and local-for-local capabilities, the impact on our order book, operations, and performance has so far been minimal.

While we continue to experience higher energy and logistics costs, these are largely hedged, indexed or addressed through pricing actions and surcharges. Our ability to remain a reliable partner to customers during periods of turbulence is a clear competitive advantage—and one we do not take for granted.

I am proud of the progress we made in the first quarter of 2026. We continue to sharpen our portfolio, strengthen our execution, and reinforce the capabilities that differentiate Ahlstrom as a leading sustainable specialty materials company.

I want to thank our employees for their dedication, our customers for their trust, and our partners for their collaboration. Together, we are building a stronger company—one that is well positioned to grow responsibly and to purify and protect, with every fiber, for a more sustainable world." 

Earnings call for investors on May 7 at 14:00 EEST (13:00 CEST) 

A combined live audiocast and teleconference will be arranged today, Thursday May 7, at 14:00 EEST (13:00 CEST). The event will be hosted by President and CEO Helen Mets and CFO Niklas Beyes. 

Questions to the management can be asked either via the chat box in the audiocast or in person by phone in the conference call. 

After the registration to the teleconference, participants will be provided with phone numbers and a conference ID to access the call. To ask a question, press #5 on your telephone keypad to enter the queue. 

By joining the audiocast or teleconference, the participants agree that personal information such as name and company name will be collected. The event will be recorded. 

For further information, please contact: 


Ahlstrom in brief 

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the leading Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our three Core divisions, Filtration & Life Sciences, Food & Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more www.ahlstrom.com.