Apr 30, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Ahlstrom's net sales grew by 17.3% compared to January-March 2009. Net sales were Euro 441 million, compared to Euro 376.1 million the corresponding period last year, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. Net sales were improved by the increasing demand for nearly all Ahlstrom's products and the implemented price increases due to the increasing cost of raw materials. The growth in net sales was the strongest in the Asia Pacific region (49.1%) and South America (28.9%). On the other hand, net sales in Euros decreased by 2.7% in North America, mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations and slow recovery of the markets served by Ahlstrom. The Group's operating profit (EBIT) was Euro 14 million. The EBIT includes non-recurring items of Euro 0.3 million. The operating profit excluding non-recurring items amounted to Euro 13.7 million. Result before taxes was Euro 7.4 million, and earnings per share were Euro 0.09. Net cash from operating activities was Euro 32.1 million. Jan Lång, President and CEO of Ahlstrom, said, “In the 1Q, our profitability improved from the comparison period despite the increasing raw material prices. Profitability was improved by the growth in sales volumes due to the recovery of demand and by the restructuring measures carried out last year. The efficiency improvement measures will be continued. The increase in the prices of raw materials, which has continued since last summer, has caused cost pressure, but we have mainly been able to implement corresponding increases in our sales prices. The growth of net sales in Asia was strong, and, in accordance with our updated strategy, we are currently actively assessing growth alternatives in Asia.” Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance nonwovens and specialty papers.