Ahlstrom-Munksjö's response to the COVID-19 crisis

Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, adapted business model and role of sustainability and corporate responsibility

Sustainability and corporate responsibility

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has a strong commitment to a sustainable everyday life. We focus on innovative fiber-based solutions with sustainable product functionality. Our product offering contributes to better performance, safer materials, fewer resources and lower impact to the end-product. With the fibers, whether natural or manmade, we can provide these elements to our customers. 

Our future is with the People, Planet and Prosperity. We continue to use our sustainable product offering and momentum to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for a sustainable everyday life.  For three consecutive years Ahlstrom-Munksjö received the EcoVadis Gold Rating for our sustainability efforts.   

We have been committed to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Ten Principles since 2017 by operating in ways that meet fundamental responsibilities in 4 key areas: human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.  As a participant of UNGC and a member of their Finland Network, we organize our sustainability work according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the material topics we identify and develop through dialogue with our stakeholders.  

Recently, Lionel Bonte, VP of the Medical Business at Ahlstrom-Munksjö, participated in a webinar on Corporate Responsibility in COVID-19 Turmoil which was organized by the International Chamber of Commerce and UNGC Finland Network. Lionel discussed how Ahlstrom-Munksjö quickly adapted our business model to support the global demand of medical protective apparel and face masks.   

Global leader in medical barrier fabrics 

As experts in barrier protection, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s medical business has a diversified product portfolio that covers a wide range of applications and several product segments. The main differentiator in our products is that we do not compromise protection for comfort, we deliver both. 

Our fabrics are the essential component in the construction of surgical gowns and drapes, pleated face masks, protective apparel and sterile barrier systems that are used in surgical and clinical environments to protect healthcare workers and patients globally.  These fabrics protect against viruses, bacteria and fluids to help stop the spread of infectious diseases. 

Responding to the COVID-19 crisis and adapting our business model

Over the past several months there has been an incredible demand for the medical finished goods that our fabrics are used to help make. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the entire medical business teams’ agility, creativity and relentless commitment to servicing our customers has directly supported front line health care workers. Our medical protective fabric portfolio is being used in this fight against COVID-19. Across the world, individuals and corporations are doing the best to identify innovative solutions to address the critical needs for protective apparel. The Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s executive leadership team has been invited to share experiences, best practices, product designs and other pertinent information to support customers, colleagues and the market overall. Subject matter experts at Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Medical business team are also providing support and guidance wherever and whenever possible.   

“We are firmly committed to sustainability and have integrated sustainable practices throughout our value chain.  During these uncertain times it is extremely important to focus on where we can make a difference with our smart solutions to advance product functionality while providing sustainable benefits.  This holds true especially for our medical business and the protective fabrics we produce to keep front line workers safe. We have expanded production, increased capacity and adapted current technology to meet the demand globally to provide the protection needed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  We are also focused on supporting emerging countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America by sharing our knowledge on PPE standards, product specifications and design” commented Bonte.