Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, today announced it has reached an agreement for the sale of three hydropower plants in Italy to a local energy company for approximately EUR 7 million. The deal does not affect Ahlstrom's employees and it is consistent with the company's strategy to focus on high performance fiber-based materials and to divest non-core assets and reduce related costs. The power plants are located close to Ahlstrom's Turin plant in Italy. Under the terms of the agreement, the purchaser will continue to supply energy to Ahlstrom Turin. For the first quarter of 2007, Ahlstrom anticipates to book non- recurring gains of approximately EUR 3 million. For further information, please contact: Jukka Moisio, President and CEO, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +358 10 888 4700 Diego Borello, Senior Vice President, Label and Packaging Papers, Ahlstrom Corporation, tel. +39 011 9260 193 Distribution: Helsinki Stock Exchange Main media www.ahlstrom.com Ahlstrom in brief Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber-based materials. Nonwovens and specialty papers, made by Ahlstrom, are used in a large variety of everyday products, e.g. in filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. The company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates, built upon the company's unique fiber expertise and innovative approach. Ahlstrom's 5,700 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2006, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.