In the January-December 2020 period, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s net sales decreased by 8% to €2.68 billion ($3.2 billion). At constant currency rates, the decrease was 5.3%, driven mainly by lower selling prices and a more adverse product mix. Deliveries increased significantly in health-care- and life science-related end uses, and grew modestly in consumer goods-related end uses. Deliveries decreased in transportation and industrial related applications and fell slightly in home building- and furniture-related end uses.

In the Filtration & Performance Solutions business area, net sales of €637.1 million ($770.5 million) in 2020 declined from €724 million ($875.6 million) in 2019. The decline in net sales was mainly driven by lower sales volumes, particularly in the Filtration business, and the divestments of the glass fiber reinforcement and fine arts businesses. The divestments had a negative impact of about €43 million ($52 million) on net sales.

Net sales in Q4 decreased by 1.7% to €689.2 million ($833.5 million). At constant currency rates, net sales increased by 3.5% on higher sales volumes.

In the Filtration & Performance Solutions business area, net sales of €172.6 million ($208.7 million) in Q4 2020 declined from €178.6 million ($216 million) in Q4 2019. The decline in net sales was mainly driven by the divestments of the glass fiber reinforcement and fine arts businesses, as well as an adverse currency effect, more than offsetting the positive impact of higher sales volumes. The divestments had an impact of about €11 million ($13.3 million) on net sales.