Ahlstrom Reports Improved Profitability and Record First Quarter EBITDA Margin Amid Strategic Transformation Efforts

Ahlstrom Reports Improved Profitability and Record First Quarter EBITDA Margin Amid Strategic Transformation Efforts

(IN BRIEF) Ahlstrom reported improved financial and operational performance for the first quarter of 2026, supported by acquisitions, operational improvements and strategic restructuring initiatives. The company posted stable reported net sales of EUR 738 million, while constant currency sales increased by 6 percent year over year. Comparable EBITDA rose to EUR 119 million, with the EBITDA margin reaching a record first-quarter level of 16.1 percent. Ahlstrom continued implementing long-term competitiveness measures, including restructuring activities at its Mosinee site in the United States and the closure of facilities in Radcliffe, UK. The company said its global production footprint and local-for-local operating model helped limit disruption from Middle East supply chain challenges. Operating cash flow improved during the quarter, while management highlighted continued progress toward building a more specialised and sustainable materials portfolio.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 7-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Ahlstrom has released its financial report for the January–March 2026 period, reporting stronger profitability, improved operational performance and continued progress in its strategic transformation despite ongoing economic uncertainty and supply chain challenges affecting global markets.

The sustainable specialty materials company said several key financial indicators strengthened both sequentially and year over year during the first quarter, supported by recent acquisitions, operational discipline and continued execution of strategic improvement initiatives introduced earlier this year. The company also highlighted that its globally diversified production network and local-for-local operating model helped limit disruption from ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Reported net sales for the quarter remained stable at EUR 738 million compared with EUR 739 million during the same period in 2025. However, at constant currency, sales increased by 6 percent, driven by contributions from acquisitions completed in 2025 and stronger execution across the company’s opportunity pipeline.

Comparable EBITDA rose to EUR 119 million from EUR 108 million a year earlier, while the comparable EBITDA margin reached a record first-quarter level of 16.1 percent, up from 14.6 percent in the previous year. Ahlstrom said the improved profitability reflects the continued transition toward a more specialised materials portfolio and the company’s focus on operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness.

Margins within the company’s core divisions — including Filtration & Life Sciences, Food & Consumer Packaging and Protective Materials — also improved, with comparable EBITDA margin increasing to 19 percent compared with 18.1 percent in the first quarter of 2025.

Reported EBITDA declined to EUR 62 million from EUR 99 million due to higher one-time items affecting comparability, including costs linked to the announced rightsizing of the Mosinee production site in the United States and the closure of facilities in Radcliffe, United Kingdom. The company stated that these measures form part of broader efforts to streamline operations, strengthen profitability and support future growth.

Operating cash flow improved to EUR 54 million from EUR 41 million in the previous year, while net indebtedness rose slightly to EUR 2.653 billion, partly due to foreign exchange impacts during the quarter.

Helen Mets said the company delivered a solid start to 2026 despite continued macroeconomic uncertainty. She noted that strong performance across key financial metrics demonstrates the resilience of Ahlstrom’s business model and the effectiveness of the company’s strategic initiatives.

Mets also emphasised that recent restructuring decisions, including the planned rightsizing of the Mosinee site and the closure of the Radcliffe operations, were necessary steps designed to strengthen Ahlstrom’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness. At the same time, the company has intensified operational excellence initiatives, including a companywide waste reduction programme aimed at supporting future margin improvement.

The company added that its limited exposure to the Middle East and decentralised operating model have helped minimise the impact of recent regional supply chain disruptions. Although energy and logistics costs remain elevated, Ahlstrom said these pressures are largely mitigated through hedging mechanisms, indexed contracts, pricing actions and surcharges.

Ahlstrom also confirmed that an earnings call for investors will be held on May 7, hosted by President and CEO Helen Mets together with CFO Niklas Beyes, during which management will discuss the company’s first-quarter performance and outlook.

Earnings call for investors on May 7 at 14:00 EEST (13:00 CEST)

A combined live audiocast and teleconference will be arranged today, Thursday May 7, at 14:00 EEST (13:00 CEST). The event will be hosted by President and CEO Helen Mets and CFO Niklas Beyes.

Questions to the management can be asked either via the chat box in the audiocast or in person by phone in the conference call.

Audiocast registration link: https://ahlstrom.videosync.fi/q1-2026

Teleconference registration link: https://player.videosync.fi/ahlstrom/q1-2026/dial-in

Ahlstrom in brief

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the leading Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our three Core divisions, Filtration & Life Sciences, Food & Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more www.ahlstrom.com.

Media Contacts:

For media: Annemiek Voorzee, Vice President Communications, annemiek.voorzee@ahlstrom.com

For investors: Tomi, Lindell, Investor Relations, IR@ahlstrom.com

SOURCE: Ahlstrom