- 20 February 2007 -

Microglass move for Ahlstrom

Ahlstrom, a manufacturer of high performance fibre-based materials, has signed an agreement to acquire Fabriano Filter Media SpA, based in Sassoferrato, in central Italy. Fabriano is a manufacturer of microglass filter media, serving mainly the high efficiency air filtration market. The plant employs 32 people.

The transaction price is approximately E7 million and the transaction is expected to be closed at the beginning of Q2/2007.

The acquisiton complements Ahlstrom's air filtration portfolio, increasing the medium efficiency product offering and giving the company access to the growing markets for high efficiency products, the company says. With the addition of Fabriano's filter media business, Ahlstrom continues to offer filtration solutions to the global air filtration industry.

“This deal continues Ahlstrom's path to develop our global filtration business with an important technology that we have been lacking,” said Ahlstrom's President & CEO Jukka Moisio. “Our strong presence in Italy will support the integration of the acquired business.”

“The addition of microglass filter media capability perfectly complements Ahlstrom's current technology portfolio in filtration,” added Daniele Borlatto, Vice President, Filtration Europe.

“We have been seeking to develop and complete a comprehensive product offering including all efficiency levels and this acquisition offers us a good platform to grow the high efficiency business.”

Ahstrom says that the market for microglass filter media is estimated to grow at a rate of 5% annually.