Conciliator Leo Suomaa has submitted a proposal for a settlement in the collective labour agreement negotiations between UPM Pulp and the Paperworkers’ Union. The conciliator has asked the parties to state their position on the proposal by 14 April 2022 at 10:00 EET. In the meanwhile, the conciliator will continue the conciliation with the Union and with UPM’s other businesses. Paperworkers’ Union has now also agreed that all business can run the negotiations parallel instead of having them one by one. "I am pleased that the negotiations have reached a point where the conciliator has seen it possible to submit a proposal for a settlement. I am hopeful that the agreement will be reached, and I hope we get to start the mills as soon as possible," says Juha Kääriäinen, Vice President, Finland Pulp Operations at UPM Pulp, the chief negotiator for UPM Pulp.

Executive Summary *First quarter 2021 net sales of $4.7 billion decreased 5 percent compared to the year-ago period, including an organic sales decline of 8 percent. *Diluted net income per share for the first quarter was $1.72 in 2021 and $1.92 in 2020. *First quarter adjusted earnings per share were $1.80 in 2021 compared to $2.13 in 2020. Adjusted earnings per share exclude certain items described later in this news release. *Diluted net income per share for 2021 is anticipated to be $6.65 to $7.15. *The company is now targeting full-year 2021 organic sales growth of 0 to 1 percent and adjusted earnings per share of $7.30 to $7.55. The prior outlook was for organic sales growth of 1 to 2 percent and adjusted earnings per share of $7.75 to $8.00. The updated earnings outlook reflects significantly higher input cost inflation and lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher net selling prices and additional cost savings.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, has been awarded a Platinum Medal, the highest recognition level, in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment, ranking Ahlstrom among the top one percent of companies evaluated over the past 12 months. The platinum score is based on the company’s sustainability performance in four categories: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. “We are very proud of this recognition. Through our safe and sustainable solutions and commitment to continuous improvement—highlighted by our newly validated Science-Based Targets and membership in the WBCSD—we are well-positioned to support our customers in achieving their sustainability ambitions.