Ahlstrom Announces the Closure of its Bousbecque Plant in France

In April 2024, Ahlstrom initiated a consultation process with employee representatives on the possibility to divest or close the Bousbecque plant in France and to centralize parchment paper production to its Saint-Séverin plant, also in France, to ensure the long-term future and competitiveness of the parchment paper business. 

Despite an active search and in-depth dialogue with local stakeholders, Ahlstrom has been unable to find solutions that would allow the Group or a potential buyer to continue operating the Bousbecque plant. As a result, Ahlstrom will proceed with the closure of the plant. The plant has an annual capacity of approximately 12,000 tons and employs 117 people. Ahlstrom continues to explore options to divest the property. 

Ahlstrom engaged in an extensive dialogue with French unions and a unanimous agreement has been reached with regards to the content of the job protection plan and the conditions of support for employees at the Bousbecque plant. This agreement will provide individual support for all employees concerned, including the possibility of redeployment at other Ahlstrom sites, as well as other measures to help them pursue their career plans. These measures include but are not limited to assistance from a specialized firm to find a job, redeployment leave, assistance in setting up or taking over a business, training, and assistance with geographical mobility.  

“Our priority is to provide individual and tailored support to all employees who will be affected in order to find a solution for everyone. We will continue to work closely with local and national authorities and various other players to support the employees concerned,” says Guillaume Latourrette, Vice President of Ahlstrom’s Global Food Packaging business.  

In Q2 2024, an impairment loss of EUR 9.8 million has been recognized on the property, plant, and equipment. Additional closure costs will be recognized as items affecting comparability in Q3 2024.  

About Ahlstrom

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our pro forma net sales 2021 for continuing operations amounted to EUR 2.6 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com

Contact:

Katja Ollila – Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications – katja.ollila@ahlstrom.com – +358 44?517 0891

Source: Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj