Alfa Laval acquires niche supplier in aseptic technology to the food industry

Alfa Laval – a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling – has acquired Astepo S.r.l., Italy. The company is recognized for its solid know-how in aseptic technology, with key products such as bag-in-box fillers and heat exchangers targeting the global fruit juice concentrate industry. The company had sales of about SEK 70 million in 2009 and some 20 employees. Astepo will be consolidated as of April 1, 2010.

“The acquisition of Astepo is in line with our strategy to continue to strengthen our position within the food business,” says Lars Renström, President and CEO of the Alfa Laval Group. “The enhanced offering in combination with our strong local presence will create new opportunities.” Did you know that… Astepo was founded in 1986 and is located in Parma, in the heart of the Italian "Food Valley”? About Alfa Laval Group Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol. Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications. Alfa Laval’s worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena. Alfa Laval is listed on the Nordic Exchange, Nordic Large Cap, and, in 2009, posted annual sales of about SEK 26 billion (approx. 2.45 billion Euros). The company has some 11 400 employees. www.alfalaval.com About Astepo S.r.l. Astepo was founded in 1986 by engineers with long experience from the preserved food industry and with a solid know-how in aseptic technology, focusing on thermal food processing, aseptic food lines and bag-in-box filling machinery. www.astepo.com For more information please contact: Peter Torstensson Senior Vice President, Communications Alfa Laval Tel: + 46 46 36 72 31 Mobile: +46 709 33 72 31