Ahlstrom Joins the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Strengthening Commitment to Global Sustainability

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Ahlstrom has announced its membership in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a coalition dedicated to driving sustainability efforts worldwide.

Joining WBCSD marks a significant step for Ahlstrom in aligning its environmental goals with a global community focused on creating a sustainable future.

As part of WBCSD, Ahlstrom will work alongside over 225 companies recognized for their leadership in sustainability, with the shared goal of addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Key areas of focus include climate change, clean air and water, decarbonization, biodiversity, and plastic pollution. The collaboration aligns with Ahlstrom’s vision to “Purify and Protect with Every Fiber for a Sustainable World,” guiding its innovations toward environmentally conscious fiber-based solutions.

In a statement, Helen Mets, President & CEO of Ahlstrom, emphasized the importance of collaborative action for effective sustainability efforts. “We believe that sustainability is a complex journey that requires collaboration to drive meaningful change,” she said. “Joining WBCSD presents an exciting opportunity to work alongside industry leaders, using our technologies and capabilities to tackle global sustainability issues and advance the transition to a circular economy.”

Ahlstrom’s decision to join WBCSD is expected to strengthen its sustainability initiatives across its three divisions: Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials. With a net sales volume of €3.0 billion in 2023 and a workforce of approximately 7,000 employees, Ahlstrom’s influence extends across various industries, making its commitment to sustainability impactful on a broad scale.

WBCSD President and CEO Peter Bakker welcomed Ahlstrom, recognizing the company’s potential to advance the council’s goals. “Their deep expertise in sustainable specialty materials is a welcomed contribution to our mission of transforming industries and scaling solutions that support over 9 billion people to live well, within planetary boundaries by 2050,” Bakker stated.

Ahlstrom’s participation in WBCSD will provide the company with access to a network of sustainability-focused organizations, facilitating knowledge exchange and partnerships. Johan Lunabba, Ahlstrom’s Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs, highlighted the potential for collaborative growth: “Close collaboration with sustainability-driven customers and suppliers is key to harnessing shared expertise and technologies, enabling us to develop impactful, commercially scalable solutions. WBCSD provides an excellent platform for this kind of engagement.”

As part of its ongoing commitment, Ahlstrom looks forward to innovating and advocating for sustainable practices that support the global transition to a greener economy. By working with WBCSD, Ahlstrom aims to amplify its impact on sustainable development, contributing to industry-wide changes that will benefit people and the planet alike.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in sustainable specialty materials, combining fibers to create solutions that purify and protect. With divisions in Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, we address key global trends with safe, eco-friendly products. In 2023, we achieved €3.0 billion in net sales and employ around 7,000 people.