May 10, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Neenah Paper, Inc. reported income from continuing operations of $0.45 per diluted common share in the 1Q 2011, compared to income of $0.48 per share in the 1Q 2010. Income in 2011 included costs of $0.09 per share related to the early redemption of $65 million of Senior Notes. Without this, adjusted income from continuing operations for the 1Q 2011 was $0.54 per diluted common share, up 13% versus the same period of 2010, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Net sales of $173 million in the 1Q 2011 increased 3% from a year ago. After excluding $2.4 million of pre-tax costs for the early redemption of Senior Notes, adjusted operating income of $17.2 million increased 5% from $16.4 million in the 1Q 2010. “We were pleased with the solid bottom line results and year-on-year gains from both business segments in the first quarter as our teams overcame more than $9 million of higher input costs,” said John O’Donnell, COO. Mr. O’Donnell will assume the role of CEO following the company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 18. He continued, “In addition, we successfully completed important initiatives in the quarter, including start up of a second meltblown line in Germany to support growth in premium filtration products, expanded direct sales of fine paper envelopes, and redemption of almost one-third of our Senior Notes, which will significantly reduce interest expense.” Neenah Paper is a leader in premium and performance-based products used in a variety of applications. Its technical products business manufactures a variety of base substrates and applies saturating, coating and other surface treatments to make filtration media, backing and release papers, and other specialty materials for industrial and consumer applications. Neenah also produces premium fine papers for high-end printing and writing needs.