Ahlstrom-Munksjö strengthens its capability to serve the South American market by investing EUR 21 million

AHLSTROM-MUNKSJÖ OYJ PRESS RELEASE, August 30, 2018 at 10:00 EEST

Ahlstrom-Munksjö will invest EUR 21 million in its Coated Specialties business to improve capabilities and flexibility at its Jacarei plant in Brazil and better serve customers in South America with a broader offering.

The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019, and will expand the site’s capabilities of coating and calendering on the paper machine. It will allow Ahlstrom-Munksjö to offer more efficient, high-quality on-line coated products to its customer in the areas of self-adhesive and wet glue labeling, flexible packaging and sublimation printing. Demand growth for high value-added coated specialty papers has been robust in the region during past years.

The upgrade of the production line will also improve the company’s flexibility to deliver a wider range of product trims, better matching the needs of its customers. Additionally, it will open up further innovation opportunities in existing and new product areas. The benefit of the investment includes an improved product mix and increased production efficiency.

“The investment shows our long-term commitment to the South American market and our ambition to maintain a leading position in coated specialty papers. This allows us to better serve our customers, continuing to grow with them by developing sustainable and value added fiber-based solutions,” says Daniele Borlatto, Executive Vice President, Industrial Solutions.

“The project represents the latest step in the journey to reinforce our position in Brazil” says Valmir Piton, Vice President, Coated Specialties, and Country Manager, Brazil. In April, Ahlstrom-Munksjö agreed to acquire MD Papéis’ Caieiras specialty paper mill, located in the vicinity of Jacareì, in the Sao Paulo area. Following the acquisition, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s presence in Brazil will comprise three operating plants, all near Sao Paolo, employing over 700 persons and with revenues of approximately of EUR 200 million.

Coated Specialties business is part of the Industrial Solutions business area, producing a wide range of products and materials often used in manufacturing and production processes, such as abrasive backings, electrotechnical insulation papers, coated label and flexible packaging papers, release liners and specialty pulp.

For further information, please contact:

Valmir Piton, VP Coated Specialties business unit, +55 12 2127-9419, email: valmir.piton@ahlstrom-munksjo.com
Johan Lindh, Head of Investor Relations, +358 10 888 4994 , email: johan.lindh@ahlstrom-munksjo.com
Juho Erkheikki, Investor Relations Manager, +358 10 888 47 31, email: juho.erkheikki@ahlstrom-munksjo.com

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to customers worldwide. Our offerings include decor paper, filter media, release liners, abrasive backings, nonwovens, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, food packaging and labeling, tape, medical fiber materials and solutions for diagnostics. Combined annual net sales are about EUR 2.2 billion and we employ 6,000 people. The Ahlstrom-Munksjö share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and Stockholm. Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com.