- 7 November 2007 -

Ahlstrom line increases filtration capacity

Ahlstrom is to redirect capacity on a current nonwoven line in its Windsor Locks, USA facility to make it available for filtration materials.

This is an initial step in the modification of Ahlstrom’s largest wet-laid nonwoven line, the company says. This 4.5 m wide line currently manufactures medical, apparel and a variety of other industrial nonwovens and will continue to have capacity to produce these products.

The project aims at freeing up additional capacity in order to produce materials using water-based chemistry, destined for the transportation filtration markets. Significant trial work has been conducted in the past month and commercial products are currently being brought to market.

"This additional capacity will allow us to support our customers’ growth in both water-based and solvent-based chemistries as this move will consequentially give us the flexibility to free up solvent saturation capacity," said Randal Davis, senior vice president, filtration at Ahlstrom.

The new capacity will be available in the first quarter of 2008.

www.ahlstrom.com

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