Ahlstrom announces specified long-term financial targets

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 26.10.2010 at 12.10

Ahlstrom Corporation's Board of Directors has today approved specified long-term financial targets for the Group, supporting its profitable growth strategy.

The Group's minimum target on return on capital employed remains at 13 percent over the cycle and Ahlstrom's objective is to reach the target by 2012. With the current balance sheet structure, an operating profit margin of 7 percent or above is required to reach the target. In July-September 2010, ROCE was 6.0 percent and 7.4 percent in the first nine months of the year.

Ahlstrom maintains its gearing ratio target at 50-80 percent. The figure stood at 47.7 percent as of September 30, 2010.

As an additional target, Ahlstrom targets annual net sales growth of at least 5 percent at constant currency rates, including acquisitions.

For further information, please contact:
Jan Lång
President & CEO
Tel. +358 10 888 4700

Seppo Parvi
CFO
Tel. +358 10 888 4768

Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main media
www.ahlstrom.com

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance nonwovens and specialty papers. Ahlstrom´s products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based upon its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. Ahlstrom's 5,800 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2009, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. The company website is at www.ahlstrom.com.