Ahlstrom to buy Fiberweb's consumer wipes business

30 Mar '07

2 min read

Ahlstrom announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the consumer wipes business of Fiberweb plc. Following the acquisition, Ahlstrom will become the third largest producer of nonwoven roll goods globally. The acquisition price is approximately EUR 65 million.

The acquired business includes four plants, two of which are located in Italy, one in Spain and one in the USA. In 2006, the net sales of the acquired business amounted to EUR 110 million and it employed approximately 400 people.

Ahlstrom anticipates closing the deal within the second quarter of 2007 subject to antitrust clearances. Further, relevant trade unions will be informed accordingly.

Fiberweb is one of the leading suppliers of high performance specialty nonwoven fabrics globally.

The wiping fabrics currently produced by Fiberweb's consumer wipes business are used mainly in personal care, baby care and household wipe applications.

Following the deal, Ahlstrom will be the leading wiping fabrics producer in the world with manufacturing sites in Europe and in the USA. Furthermore, Ahlstrom announced in 2006 that it will expand its nonwovens production in South America by investing in a new wiping fabrics production line in Brazil. The new line will be operational in early 2008.

"We have been very consistent in implementing our global growth strategy. In addition to this deal, our investments in organic growth as well as the acquisition of Orlandi's spunlace nonwovens business, announced in February 2007, will position Ahlstrom as the third largest supplier of nonwoven materials in the world."

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