Finland-based Ahlstrom Corp. has signed an agreement to purchase London-based Fiberweb plc’s
consumer wipes business for approximately 65 million euros (US$86.9 million). Fiberweb’s consumer
wipes business currently produces wiping fabrics used in baby, personal care and household
applications. Subject to antitrust clearance, the deal is expected to close before the end of the
second quarter of 2007. The acquisition includes four plants – one in Spain, one in the United
States and two in Italy – sites that generated 110 million euros (US$147.1 million) in net
sales in 2006 and employed 400 people.
and personal care, and industrial applications.
The deal comes on the heels of Ahlstrom’s acquisition of Italy-based Fabriano Filter Media
S.p.A. and the Italy-based Orlandi Group’s spunlace nonwovens business earlier this year. The
company also announced last year that it will invest in a new wiping fabrics production line in
Brazil that will be operational early next year. “This acquisition further strengthens Ahlstrom’s
unique fiber expertise and its versatile technology base,” said Claudio Ermondi, senior vice
president, Nonwovens, Ahlstrom. “Fiberweb’s leading pulp-containing wipes technology allows
Ahlstrom to introduce additional properties, such as enhanced softness and increased strength, to
its wiping fabrics. This capability combined with Ahlstrom’s and Orlandi’s pulp-containing
technologies positions Ahlstrom as the leading supplier of pulp-containing wipes products.”
May/June 2007