Ahlstrom has announced the signing of an agreement to divest its Aspa pulp mill in Sweden to Sweden Timber, marking a significant milestone in Ahlstrom’s strategic transformation.
The deal includes all operations at the Aspa mill and is expected to be finalized by the end of 2024.
The Aspa pulp mill, known for producing bleached and unbleached softwood pulp used in a wide range of applications globally, has an annual capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes and employs 174 people. This divestment allows Ahlstrom to concentrate more closely on its core business of specialty materials while ensuring that Aspa finds a new owner committed to its growth.
For Ahlstrom, finding the right partner for the Aspa mill was essential. According to Wolfgang Laures, Chief Operating Officer at Ahlstrom, “Aspa mill and its employees have done a great job contributing to Ahlstrom’s success over the years, and I’m very thankful for that. We believe that Aspa will have a better home with Sweden Timber, which is looking to develop its pulp production capabilities. This divestment allows us to focus on Ahlstrom’s specialty materials portfolio.”
Sweden Timber, a company with a strong presence in wood processing and papermaking, sees this acquisition as an opportunity to expand its pulp production capabilities. Mikael Arvidsson, CEO of Sweden Timber, expressed optimism about the acquisition: “We look forward to continuing business and developing Aspa together with the mill’s experienced team. We are committed to continuing to serve existing customers in the future with Aspa’s high-quality pulp.”
The transaction is set to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, with both companies focused on ensuring a smooth transition for employees and customers.
Ahlstrom is a global leader in sustainable specialty materials, offering solutions that cater to global trends in filtration, packaging, life sciences, and more. In 2023, Ahlstrom achieved net sales of EUR 3.0 billion and employs approximately 7,000 people.
