Perusa signs an agreement with Ahlstrom to acquire its décor paper and abrasive paper backings businesses

Munich/Osnabrück – Perusa Partners Fund 2, LP has signed an agreement with Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, to acquire its pre-impregnated décor papers and abrasive paper backings businesses. The divestment of Ahlstrom is made to comply with the commitments made to the European Commission’s Competition Authority and to the Brazilian competition authority CADE as disclosed in May 2013.

The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately EUR 20 million. Under the agreement, Ahlstrom’s pre-impregnated décor paper and abrasive paper backings businesses in Osnabrück, Germany, will be transferred to an entity held by Perusa Partners Fund 2. The parties have also formed a joint venture to operate the power plant and water supplies for the site. “The Ahlstrom plant is an institution in Osnabrück”, says Dr. Christopher Höfener, Managing Director at Perusa GmbH. “We are convinced that the two businesses will continue to develop positively in the future.”

The Managing Director Jürgen Oess, who will lead the two business units and will be invested in the new company as one of the owners, adds: “We are very pleased to have found a good solution for the Osnabrück location and our employees. In the future we will focus even more on the needs of our customers and push a successful joint business development.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, such as the receipt of the approval from the European Commission and CADE. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2014.

About Ahlstrom

Ahlstrom is a high performance fiber-based materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. The products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, medical gowns and drapes, diagnostics, wallcoverings, flooring and food packaging. Ahlstrom has a leading market position in the businesses in which we operate. In 2012, Ahlstrom's net sales from the continuing operations (excluding Label and Processing business) amounted to EUR 1 billion. The 3,800 employees serve customers in 24 countries. Ahlstrom’s share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information available at www.ahlstrom.com.