Fiber-based specialty materials for filtration, packaging, medicine and construction – developed and produced with proprietary technology.
Ahlstrom Oyj
Espoo (FI) · Bärenstein (DE) · Malmédy (BE) · Amsterdam (NL) · Apprieu, Pont-Evêque, Fontenay-sous-Bois (FR) · Mosinee, WI (US) · Louveira (BR)New on Amplifa
About Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom Oyj is a Finnish specialty materials company headquartered in Espoo. The company combines fibers into high-performance, sustainable specialty materials: filtration media for liquids and air, compostable packaging and processing materials for food, diagnostic materials such as sample collection cards, and protective fabrics for medical applications. Manufacturing includes paper and nonwovens production (Spunlace, Spunbond-PLA based on BioSpun technology), silicone coating of release papers (Acti-V), laminating, slitting and sheeting. The materials used are primarily cellulose/pulp, kraft paper, PLA (polylactic acid) and fiber-based composites. Ahlstrom supplies industries such as Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, E-Commerce & Retail, Energy & Water and Industrial Goods. With around 7,000 employees from more than 50 nations, 36 plants in 13 countries and net sales of €2.9 billion (2025), the company works closely with customers through its own research and co-innovation; the German plant is located in Bärenstein.
- Site
- Espoo
- Processes
- Spunlace nonwovens production (spunlace machine), Spunlace composites line, Paper manufacturing (specialty papers), Silicone coating of release paper (Acti-V®), Spunbond PLA technology (BioSpun™), Research & Development / Co-Innovation, Coating (silicone, wax, flame retardant), Converting (laminating, slitting, sheeting)
- Materials
- PLA (polylactic acid), Cellulose/pulp, Kraft paper (extensible kraft), Grease-Gard® papers, Cellulose/Pulp, Spunlace composites, Acti-V® Release Liner Technology
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, FSC, PEFC
- Founded
- 1851
- Employees
- 7000
- Industries
- Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, E-Commerce & Retail, Energy & Water
- 01
Research & Development / Co-Innovation
- 02
Fiber combination and paper/nonwovens production (Spunlace, Spunbond-PLA)
- 03
Coating (silicone, wax, flame retardant)
- 04
Converting (laminating, slitting, sheeting)
- 05
Quality assurance and worldwide delivery
Materials and Processes
Cellulose/Pulp
Basis for specialty papers and Genuine Vegetable Parchment products made of 100% cellulose.
Kraft paper (extensible kraft)
Tear-resistant extensible papers for insulation facing and multi-stage converting processes in construction.
PLA (polylactic acid)
Bio-based polymer in BioSpun spunbond technology as an alternative to petroleum-based nonwoven polymers.
Spunlace composites
Hydroentangled nonwoven composites for wipes, automotive, medical and technical nonwovens applications.
Grease-Gard® papers
Grease-resistant papers supporting the transition to paper-based food service packaging in North America.
Acti-V® Release Liner Technology
Glassine papers with silicone coating in which the release liner actively participates in silicone curing, enabling outstanding anchorage.
Locations
Espoo
FIHead office
Bärenstein
DEPlant (Ahlstrom Germany GmbH)
Malmédy
BEPlant (Ahlstrom Malmédy SA)
Amsterdam
NLOffice
Apprieu
FRResearch centre (Ahlstrom Apprieu S.A.S.)
Pont-Evêque
FRPlant/Holding
Fontenay-sous-Bois
FRHolding office
Mosinee, WI
USPlant
Louveira
BRPlant and sales office
Products and Materials
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spunlace nonwovens production (spunlace machine)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Cellulose fibers, Spunlace composites |
| Spunlace composites linePlastics | – | – | – | – | Spunlace composites |
| Paper manufacturing (specialty papers)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Cellulose, Pulp |
| Silicone coating of release paper (Acti-V®)Surface | – | – | – | – | Paper (cellulose) |
| Spunbond PLA technology (BioSpun™)Plastics | – | – | – | – | PLA |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spunlace machine | – | 1 | – | – | Green Bay, WI, USA |
| Spunlace composites line | – | 1 | – | – | Windsor Locks, CT, USA |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Certifications
The plants are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001; site-specific certifications include ISO 13485 (among others Bärenstein, valid until 2028-03-24), IATF 16949 (Binzhou, until 2027-04), ISO 50001 as well as FSC and PEFC certifications. CE declarations of conformity are available for sample collection cards.
| Evidence | Bärenstein |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| ISO 45001 | |
| ISO 50001 | |
| ISO 13485 | |
| IATF 16949 |
History
- 1851
Founded in Noormarkku, Finland; timber trading, shipping and sawmills
- 1862
Munksjö paper mill founded in Jönköping, Sweden
- 1931
Ahlstrom Group is Finland's largest industrial company with more than 30 manufacturing facilities and over 5,000 employees
- 1963
Acquisition of Cartiere Bosso S.p.A., Italy – Ahlstrom becomes a pioneer of international operations
- 2006
Ahlstrom Corporation listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange
- 2013
Label and processing business combined with Munksjö
- 2017
Merger of Ahlstrom and Munksjö to form Ahlstrom-Munksjö
- 2018
Acquisition of Expera Specialty Solutions (USA) and the Caieiras specialty paper mill (Brazil)
- 2021
Acquisition by a consortium (Ahlström Capital, Bain Capital, Viknum, Belgrano Inversiones); privatization
- 2022
New company name Ahlstrom as of October 3, 2022