Ahlstrom will consolidate its nonwoven wiping fabrics manufacturing platform in Italy, with the aim of increasing capacity, efficiency and breadth of product range.

The production of wipes will be located in two out of three existing manufacturing sites: Mozzate and Cressa, while the Carbonate plant will be closed. All the plants are located in the Milan region and belong to Ahlstrom’s Home & Personal Nonwovens business area.

The consolidation will not have any major impact on personnel or cause significant non-recurring costs. The company plans to complete the project by early 2011.

Ahlstrom’s Italian wipes assets were purchased through its acquisitions of Orlandi’s and Fiberweb’s spunlace business in 2007. Last year, the company began consolidating these assets when it closed its Gallarate, Italy facility and shut down a line in Cressa, Italy. This plan has originally included the closure of the Carbonate plant.