Ahlstrom divests its Building & Wind business unit to Owens Corning

Ahlstrom sells its glassfiber business to Owens Corning

HELSINKI, 21-Jan-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — Ahlstrom has signed an agreement to divest its Building & Wind business unit to Owens Corning, a U.S.-based company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The initial debt and cash free purchase price, which is subject to EBITDA adjustment, is EUR 73 million.

The Building & Wind business unit produces glassfiber tissue used mainly in flooring applications as well as reinforcements used in windmill blades. In 2014 the net sales of the business was approximately EUR 77 million and the business was profitable. The unit operates two plants in Finland in Karhula and Mikkeli and one in Tver, Russia, employing in total approximately 260 persons. It serves markets mainly in Europe and Russia as well as in North America and Asia.

“This transaction will strengthen our balance sheet and enables us to develop other businesses more efficiently and pursue growth in areas aligned to our strategy,” says Marco Levi, President & CEO of Ahlstrom. “We are happy to have identified Owens Corning as the buyer as it is vertically integrated and has ample resources to develop the glassfiber business further. We also believe this is a good solution for the unit’s employees transferring to the new owner.”

The unit to be divested was part of the Building and Energy business area until the end of 2015, while it has been part of the Filtration & Performance business area from the beginning of this year.

The transaction is expected to be completed during the first half of 2016 and is subject to customary completion terms, such as merger clearances from relevant competition authorities.

Ahlstrom expects to book a capital gain of approximately EUR 25 million following the completion of the transaction. The gain will not have an impact on Ahlstrom’s operating profit excluding non-recurring items.

The divestment of the Building & Wind business will have no impact on the company’s outlook statement for 2015. Ahlstrom will publish its Financial statements bulletin 2015 on January 29, 2016 at approximately 8:30 a.m. EET. From the beginning of 2016 the Building & Wind business will be reported as part of discontinued operations until the transaction has been completed.

For more information please contact:
Satu Perälampi
VP, Communications
Tel. +358 10 888 4738

Juho Erkheikki
Financial Communications & Investor Relations Manager
Tel. +358 10 888 4731

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a high performance fiber-based materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. We aim to grow with a product offering for clean and healthy environment. Our materials are used in everyday applications such as filters, medical fabrics, life science and diagnostics, wallcoverings and food packaging. In 2014, Ahlstrom’s net sales amounted to EUR 1 billion. Our 3,400 employees serve customers in 22 countries. Ahlstrom’s share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information available at www.ahlstrom.com.

Owens Corning in brief
Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites. Global in scope and human in scale, the company’s market-leading businesses use their deep expertise in materials, manufacturing and building science to develop products and systems that save energy and improve comfort in commercial and residential buildings. Through its glass reinforcements business, the company makes thousands of products lighter, stronger and more durable. Ultimately, Owens Corning people and products make the world a better place. Based in Toledo, Ohio, Owens Corning posted 2014 sales of $5.3 billion and employs about 15,000 people in 26 countries. It has been a Fortune 500® company for 61 consecutive years. For more information, please visit www.owenscorning.com.

SOURCE: Ahlstrom