EXHIBIT 32.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
        PURSUANT TO SECTION 1350 OF CHAPTER 63 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE
      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, in his capacity as chief executive officer of
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies to the
best of his knowledge following reasonable inquiry that the Quarterly Report of
the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003, which
accompanies this certification, fully complies with the requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information
contained in such periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects,
the financial condition of the Company at the end of such period and the
results of operations of the Company for such period.  The foregoing
certification is made pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C. Section 1350) and no purchaser or seller of securities or any other
person shall be entitled to rely upon the foregoing certification for any
purpose.The undersigned expressly disclaims any obligation to update the
foregoing certification except as required by law.

By:     /s/  WAYNE H. DEITRICH
   --------------------------------
        Wayne H. Deitrich
        Chairman of the Board and
        Chief Executive Officer

November 13, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be
retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission
or its staff upon request.