The negotiations will affect the whole personnel at the site and may lead to personnel reductions or temporary lay-offs. The aim of the negotiations is to evaluate ways to adjust Ahlstrom's production capacity and costs to the prevailing overcapacity on the global masking tape markets.

The Kauttua plant manufactures base paper for masking tape. According to Ahlstrom, markets for masking tape have significant overcapacity globally, especially in Europe. Ahlstrom manufactures base paper for masking tape also in Pont Audemer, France and Longkou, China.