Ahlstrom-Munksjö accelerates strategy execution

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has tripled in size in the last five years through acquisitions, mergers, and organic growth. In early 2021, Ahlstrom-Munksjö launched several initiatives to unlock the company's potential and build strong capabilities. These initiatives have successfully improved the company’s competitiveness and performance, resulting in a strong 2021 with pro forma net sales of EUR 3.1 billion (2020: EUR 2.7 billion) and comparable EBITDA of EUR 398 million (2020: EUR 334 million).

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is positioned to capture additional value from the growing markets for fiber-based specialty materials and make a larger contribution to society through its strong market position. Megatrends such as higher air/water quality requirements, restrictions on the use of harmful chemicals, increasing health awareness and plastic-to-paper substitution, and e-commerce in packaging will create growth opportunities. 

‘We are now accelerating the pace of strategy execution to build a stronger company for a sustainable future and capture the significant opportunities both to grow and improve profitability,’ commented Hans Sohlström, president and CEO. ‘Our strategic ambition for 2025 is to become the leader in combining fibers into performance materials that serve our purpose to purify and protect, with every fiber, for a sustainable world. Sharper strategic focus, more ambitious sustainability targets, and a tailored operating model will enable us to effectively address attractive and distinctive end markets to enhance further our competitive advantages and value creation for our stakeholders.’

A more ambitious sustainability strategy with corresponding targets has also been launched. The company aims for all new product introductions to serve the purpose to purify and protect and be sustainable by design. While the strategy spans across environmental, social and governance factors, special focus is on immediate improvements in climate performance. Ahlstrom-Munksjö commits to the 1.5°C Science Based Target initiative towards 2030 and to Net Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.

The company will continue to manage a broad portfolio of niche businesses, supported by a tailored operating model. Effective as of July 1, 2022, the group will serve five growing and distinctive end markets, also forming the basis for five divisions, allowing for significant organic and inorganic growth. The divisions will be supported by global functions and centers of excellence for scale, synergies, and excellence.