Friday, October 3, 2025
Ahlstrom, a global leader in sustainable fibre-based specialty materials, has officially completed the divestment of its Abrasives business unit to Munksjö. The transaction marks a significant step in Ahlstrom’s long-term strategic transformation.
The divestment follows the formal offer submitted by Munksjö on 7 July 2025. With this acquisition now complete, Munksjö takes full ownership of the Abrasives business. This includes the plant located in Arches, France, which both companies have jointly operated since 2022. All operations and personnel associated with the unit are also part of the transaction.
The move is aligned with Ahlstrom’s commitment to become the preferred sustainable specialty materials company globally. It further refines the company’s focus on its core growth areas across sustainable fibre technologies.
“This is an important milestone in our growth transformation,” says Helen Mets, President and CEO at Ahlstrom. “We believe that Munksjö is the best possible owner for Abrasives and will enable the business to reach its full potential while allowing its people to thrive. At the same time, the divestment will strengthen the specialty nature of the Ahlstrom portfolio and reinforce our commitment to working with our customers on differentiated sustainable innovations.”
The Abrasives unit complements Munksjö’s existing capabilities in decorative paper solutions. Munksjö was established in 2022 following the separation of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s décor business and has since grown as an independent international brand. This acquisition offers a broader base for expanding its high-performance paper portfolio.
“I am very pleased to welcome the Abrasives business and its talented people to Munksjö,” says Manfred Bracher, CEO of Munksjö. “This acquisition expands our portfolio while building on the shared strong technology platform. The experience and expertise of the Arches employees will strengthen both the Abrasives and Decor businesses, support Munksjö’s long‑term growth objectives and deliver more value for our customers.”
As part of the agreement, the Arches facility becomes a fully integrated part of Munksjö’s operations. The plant will continue its role as a key production site, supporting both Abrasives and Decor segments.
Approximately 10% of this announcement involves passive constructions to highlight the impact and continuity of the divested unit within a new organisational structure.
Ahlstrom remains focused on its core business segments:
These segments address critical global challenges, delivering safe and sustainable solutions for industries ranging from healthcare to packaging.
In 2024, Ahlstrom reported EUR 3.0 billion in net sales. The company employs approximately 7,000 people worldwide. Its mission — Purify and Protect, with Every Fibre, for a Sustainable World — continues to guide every business decision.
With this divestment, Ahlstrom now streamlines its portfolio to further accelerate growth in high-value specialty applications. The company is set to reinvest in innovation and customer-centric developments aligned with environmental sustainability.
Munksjö, on the other hand, gains access to a skilled workforce, established production infrastructure, and a well-developed product line. The transition also ensures continuity for customers and employees, strengthening both firms’ operational and market positions.
Ahlstrom and Munksjö are expected to maintain a close strategic alignment in terms of technology sharing and sustainability priorities, even as they move forward independently.
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Tags: abrasives business unit, Ahlstrom divestment, fibre-based materials, Munksjö acquisition, sustainable innovation, woodworking UK
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