Ahlstrom Receives Binding Offer from Munksjö for its Abrasives Business Unit
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
Ahlstrom, a leader in sustainable fiber-based specialty materials, has received a binding offer from Munksjö, a leading international manufacturer of decor paper solutions, for the acquisition of its Abrasives business unit.
The proposed divestment would include Ahlstrom’s stake in the Arches plant in France, currently jointly operated by both companies, along with the entire Abrasives business unit – encompassing all associated operations and personnel. This transaction would represent another key milestone in Ahlstrom’s growth transformation, further reinforcing the company’s strategic focus on sustainable specialty materials.
The Abrasives business unit provides a broad range of paper backing products, including latex-impregnated papers, heavy-weight paper for abrasive backings, and high-performance paper grades for various applications.
The potential sale to Munksjö would enable Ahlstrom to intensify its focus on its core sustainable specialty materials portfolio, while offering Munksjö enhanced capabilities to further develop its decorative paper segment. Given that Munksjö already co-operates the Arches site with Ahlstrom and was formerly part of the same company, it is considered to be a highly compatible operational and cultural fit for the Abrasives unit.
The signing of definitive agreements will follow the required information and consultation procedures with employee representative bodies. The transaction would then be subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with completion expected in the coming months.
Ahlstrom remains fully committed to ensuring business continuity throughout the divestment process and will work to ensure a smooth transition for the Arches site, its employees, customers, and stakeholders.
Helen Mets, President and CEO of Ahlstrom, commented: “We are considering a binding offer for our Abrasives business that would allow us to focus on Ahlstrom’s specialty materials portfolio, marking another strategic step on our transformation journey. Finding a new owner that values Abrasives’ long-term development and success is highly important to us, and we believe that Munksjö would provide a great new home for this business and its people.”
