Ahlstrom’s net sales were €273.2 million ($300 million) compared to €EUR 266.9 million ($293 million) during the same period last year. At constant currency rates, growth was 3.7%. All-time high quarterly operating profit was €28.9 million ($31.7 million) compared to €9.9 million ($10.9 million) during the same period in 2015. Adjusted operating profit was €26.7 million ($29.2 million), representing 9.8% of net sales, and the 12th consecutive quarter of year-on-year improvement.

Marco Levi, president & CEO, comments: “July-September 2016 was an excellent quarter for us, with very strong performance from our organization. We achieved 3.7% sales growth at constant currency rates and profitability reached yet another record in the current structure of the company. This was also the 12th consecutive improvement in quarterly operating profit. Our hard work towards enhancing operational efficiency and achieving a more competitive cost structure is clearly paying off and we continued to benefit from lower variable costs during the quarter.

“I am pleased that we have been able to grow our net sales for the past two quarters on a comparable basis. This is particularly true for glassfiber, wallcover, filtration, and tape products, as well as single-serve coffee materials, where we achieved a breakthrough in the North American market during the reporting period. All of our business units reported higher operating profits and most of them increased net sales. We have also announced a €23 million investment into our engine and industrial filtration portfolio to show our commitment to growth and the further development of the company.”