Ahlstrom will invest €8 million in a new needlepunch line for its North American filtration business, targeting the growing dust filtration market. The new line, using state-of-the-art needlepunch nonwoven technology, will be located in the current Darlington, SC facility. The targeted completion date is slated for early 2008. The new line will manufacture a full range of needlepunched fabrics, mainly for the high-temperature dust filtration industry. The line will complement the current capabilities in this market and improve Ahlstrom's position as a global leader of filtration materials.

"This new investment for dust filtration, in combination with the announcement in February of a new line for air filtration, should serve as a strong commitment to North American customers that Ahlstrom intends to support growth in the filtration markets", said Jukka Moisio, President and CEO of Ahlstrom Corporation.

Ahlstrom's Filtration business is a leading global manufacturer of filtration materials used in air, liquid and transportation applications with 13 production sites across four continents.