Profit warning: Demand for Ahlstrom's products has continued to weaken in the first quarter of 2009

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 18.3.2009
 
 
Ahlstrom Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialty papers and nonwovens, announces that the very challenging market conditions that impacted Ahlstrom's business in the fourth quarter of 2008 have prevailed in the beginning of this year. Consequently, the demand pattern for most of Ahlstrom's products has continued to weaken in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.
 
In its Financial Statements Bulletin published on February 5, 2009, Ahlstrom anticipated the market environment to be very challenging in 2009 with a very short-term visibility of the demand for Ahlstrom products. The company announced that the demand would vary significantly by product line and depending on the general development of the customer industries.
 
Ahlstrom will publish its interim report for January-March 2009 on April 29, 2009.
 
 
Further information:
 
Ahlstrom Corporation
 
Jan Lång
President & CEO
Tel. +358 (0)10 888 4700
 
Jari Mäntylä
CFO
Tel. +358 (0)10 888 4768
 
 
Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main media
 
 
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 6,400 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.