Ahlstrom strengthens innovation capabilities with a single global hub in France

Ahlstrom has announced it is strengthening its innovation capabilities by consolidating its Group Research and Innovation activities into a single global innovation hub in Pont-Évêque, France.

The expanded hub will combine existing R&D activities from Apprieu and Pont-Évêque, integrating innovation leadership, advanced laboratories, and cross-business expertise. The aim is to improve scale, accelerate collaboration, and increase business impact, while remaining fully connected to the company’s global R&D network.

By concentrating key capabilities in Pont-Évêque, Ahlstrom aims to accelerate the development of safe and sustainable fiber-based solutions for applications including filtration, life sciences, food and consumer packaging, protective materials, and building solutions.

“Innovation is at the heart of Ahlstrom’s strategy and growth ambition,” said Konraad Dullaert, EVP Food & Consumer Packaging and Protective Materials and Chief Innovation Officer. “Strengthening our global innovation hub and tightly connecting it with R&D teams worldwide will enhance collaboration, speed, and our ability to turn ideas into scalable, customer-ready solutions.”

The Pont-Évêque center will serve as the core of Ahlstrom’s global R&D ecosystem, bringing together expertise in fiber science, material chemistry, coating technologies, analytical sciences, pilot-scale manufacturing, and application development.

In parallel, Ahlstrom will continue operating R&D and application development sites in Europe, North America, and Asia, ensuring proximity to customers and regional markets while working closely with the central innovation hub.

The initiative supports Ahlstrom’s strategy of sustainability-driven growth. Today, innovation accounts for more than 30% of the company’s sales, reflecting its focus on fiber-based solutions that replace fossil-based, hazardous, or resource-intensive materials.