Sales decreased from €422.5 million to €405 million for Ahlstrom as operating profit decreased from €19.5 million to €17 million. Highlights for the quarter included the launch of some new products including metalized poster papers and embossable wallcoverings.

“We had a good start to the year as our financial performance improved clearly from the end of 2011,” says Jan Lang, president and CEO. “The operating environment remained challenging in our main markets, although it was somewhat better than we anticipated at the beginning of the year. The market development in Asia, however, has not been as positive as expected.”

Looking forward, the company has identified five high priority programs including winning in Asia, anticipating and delivering customer expectations, growing through differentiation, implementing a high performing culture and achieving an efficient supply chain.