Ahlstrom-Munksjö to combine its existing Decor business with Chinese Minglian’s decor paper plant in a mix of acquisition/joint venture deal

Ahlstrom-Munksjö to combine its existing Decor business with Chinese Minglian’s decor paper plant in a mix of acquisition/joint venture deal

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 30-Sep-2021 — /EuropaWire/ — Ahlstrom-Munksjö (HEL: AM1), a global leader in fiber-based materials, has announced it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 60% of Chinese decor paper producer Minglian New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2016 by a group of experienced entrepreneurs with a background in the Chinese decor industry. As part of the deal the companies will establish a joint venture that includes the state-of-the-art decor paper plant in the city of Xingtai, Hebei Province, China. A non-binding letter of intent with the majority shareholders was initially signed in November 2019 but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the negotiations and signing of the transaction.

By combining Minglian with its existing Decor business, Ahlstrom-Munksjö will create a global leader in decor papers with improved cost competitiveness and strong presence in Europe, Americas and Asia. The business combination will allow Ahlstrom-Munksjö to leverage its brand and capabilities in the large and growing high-end decor paper market in China and strengthen Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s ability to serve international customers both in the short- and long term. Ahlstrom-Munksjö will provide technical and operational expertise to Minglian and strengthen Minglian’s customer offering and service in the domestic medium and high-quality segment as well as adjacent export markets. Minglian provides cost competitive manufacturing to the combined Decor business platform and opportunities to optimize production.

The transaction is subject customary closing conditions, and it is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2021.

About Decor Solutions business area

The Decor Solutions business area is one of Ahlstrom-Munksjö‘s five reporting segments. The Decor business produces paper in a wide range of colors, grades and grammages for decorative applications, mainly used in the production of laminated surface materials for furniture, flooring and other interior and exterior architectural panels. The production takes place at five plants: Unterkochen and Dettingen in Germany, Tolosa in Spain, Caieiras in Brazil and Arches in France. Annual production capacity is approximately 210,000 tons.

Minglian in brief

Minglian New Materials was established in 2016 by a group of experienced entrepreneurs with a background in the Chinese decor industry through a greenfield investment in new state-of-the art 8 foot paper machine technology and plant lay-out. Started at the end of 2018, the production capacity is now in full use. Current product offering includes print base and low pressure lamination decor papers. The machine capacity is approximately 50,000 tons per year and the plant site in Xingtai allows production expansion in the future.

Media contacts:

Tomas Wulkan, Executive Vice President, Decor Solutions, tomas.wulkan@ahlstrom-munksjo.com, tel. +49 17 2401 1985

Johan Lindh, Vice President, Group Investor Relations, johan.lindh@ahlstrom-munksjo.com, tel. + 358 10 888 4994

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Our mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Our offering includes filter materials, release liners, food and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials, diagnostics and energy storage solutions, as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses. Our annual net sales is about EUR 2.7 billion and we employ some 7,800 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com

SOURCE: AHLSTROM-MUNKSJÖ OYJ