Ahlstrom expands Asian automotive nonwoven filter paper market

As a global leader in non-woven fabrics and specialty papers, Ahlstrom signed an agreement with Purico Group on the acquisition of China Fujian Purifurt Paper Co., Ltd. The unencumbered value of the acquisition is 22.5 million euros. Fujian Puruifuerte Paper Co., Ltd. is a non-woven automobile filter paper manufacturer. The company's factory is located in Binzhou City, Fujian Province, northeast China, and currently employs 170 people. 'This acquisition is an integral part of our expansion in Asia, because it allows us to serve global customers in China and at the same time establish a platform for future development. This acquisition, together with our Korean factory, will enable us to increase our share of the Asian automotive filter paper market. 'Ahlstrom's CEO Jam commented on this recent merger. The plant will be part of Ahlstrom's non-woven filtration business area, which contributes approximately one-fifth of the group's net sales. Ahlstrom currently accounts for about 10% of its net sales in Asia. In 2015, Ahlstrom's net sales totaled 1.6 billion euros.