Ahlstrom Corporation, Munksjö Oyj and Munksjö AB have received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission with respect to alleged misleading information relating to the abrasive paper backings market, provided in connection with the merger notification to the European Commission, submitted on October 31, 2012, regarding the business combination of Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business and Munksjö AB. The combination was completed in two phases during 2013. The European Commission's ongoing investigation does not affect the approval of the combination granted in 2013.
Ahlstrom Corporation and Munksjö Oyj disagree with the preliminary position expressed by the European Commission. The companies take this matter seriously and will respond to the Statement of Objections in due course with a view to clearing any misunderstandings.
A Statement of Objections is a document where the European Commission sets out its preliminary view in relation to a possible infringement of EU competition rules and allows its addressees to present arguments in response. Consequently, a Statement of Objections is a preparatory document that does not prejudge the European Commission's final decision.
Any final decision by the European Commission is subject to appeal to the European Courts. Violations of the legal provision quoted by the European Commission in Article 14.1(a) of the Merger Regulation may lead to a fine not exceeding 1% of the aggregate net sales of the companies concerned.
