Ahlstrom, nonwovens and specialty papers producer, has started consultations with employees and customers to investigate future options, including a possible closure, for its spunlace composite production line No. 23 at its Chirnside plant in the United Kingdom.

The Chirnside plant employs about 225 people in total and is part of Ahlstrom's Food and Medical Business Area. However, Ahlstrom says the consultations affect a maximum of 11 employees.

The spunlace production line is said to be currently under utilized and the level of activity insufficient to support the economic viability of the line. The line produces nonwovens for medical and wipes applications as well as for the automotive industry. In the case of closure, Ahlstrom aims to serve its customers from the company's other lines.