Ahlstrom strengthens innovation capabilities with a single global innovation hub in France
AHLSTROM OYJ, PRESS RELEASE, APRIL 29, 2026 at 16:00 EEST
Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, is strengthening its innovation capabilities by bringing together its Group Research and Innovation activities into a single global innovation hub in Pont-Évêque, France*. The expanded innovation hub combines Ahlstrom’s core innovation leadership, state-of-the-art laboratories and cross‑business expertise, creating greater scale, faster collaboration and stronger business impact, while remaining fully connected to the company’s global R&D network.
The proposal would consolidate R&D activities currently based in Apprieu and Pont‑Évêque into one global innovation hub in Pont‑Évêque. By concentrating key innovation capabilities in Pont‑Évêque, Ahlstrom accelerates the development of safe and sustainable solutions for customers across its applications, including filtration, life sciences, food and consumer packaging, protective materials and building solutions.
“Innovation is at the heart of Ahlstrom’s strategy and growth ambition,” says Konraad Dullaert, EVP Food & Consumer Packaging and Protective Materials and Chief Innovation Officer. “Strengthening our global innovation hub and tightly connecting it with R&D teams worldwide will enhance collaboration, speed and further improve our ability to turn ideas into scalable, customer ready solutions.”
One global hub, connected to a worldwide R&D network
The Pont‑Évêque innovation center serves as the core of Ahlstrom’s R&D and innovation ecosystem. It brings together expertise in fiber science, material chemistry, coating technologies, analytical sciences, pilot-scale manufacturing and application development, enabling closer collaboration across businesses and with customers.
Alongside the global hub, Ahlstrom continues to operate R&D and application development sites in Europe, North America and Asia, ensuring proximity to customers, manufacturing operations and regional markets. These sites work in close collaboration with the Pont‑Évêque hub, combining local market insight with the speed and scale of a consolidated global innovation center.
Supporting strategy and sustainable growth
The strengthened innovation hub supports Ahlstrom’s strategy to grow through sustainability‑driven innovation. Today, innovation represents more than 30% of Ahlstrom’s sales, reflecting a strong focus on developing fiber-based solutions that replace fossil‑based, hazardous or resource‑intensive materials.
*The intended consolidation is subject to the completion of the relevant information and consultation processes with employee representatives.
For further information, please contact:
Annemiek Voorzee, VP, Communications and Marketing, annemiek.voorzee@ahlstrom.com
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 Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our three Core divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and 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.