Essity around the world – November 2025

Mexico - Essity played a pioneering role at the first “No Periods Summit”, where over 350 leaders gathered to challenge stigmas and rethink workplace policies. The event also marked the presentation of the first “Dale un nuevo aire a la menopausia” campaign (Give menopause a fresh start), sponsored by Essity in collaboration with UNFPA and the collective Sin Reglas, positioning incontinence as one of the symptoms that must be recognized and addressed. Cristina Arbelaez, Essity’s Global Director for New Menopause, emphasized how neglecting menopause can impact productivity, job retention, and the well-being of millions of women. Through its Saba and TENA brands, Essity is advocating for inclusive policies, training empathetic leaders, and normalizing menopause as a stage of potential and development.

The Netherlands - On the same topic, a new research by TENA, Essity’s incontinence brand, revealed a significant gap between women’s perceived and actual knowledge about menopause: nearly 80% of women aged between 40 and 60 believe they understand menopause well. Yet less than 40% recognize its physical symptoms and only 35% its emotional ones. To address this, TENA launched a campaign around World Menopause Day, encouraging women to share experiences and tips on a dedicated platform.

Bolivia - On the occasion of Bolivian Women's Day, Essity’s Nosotras period care brand launched the “Todo Empieza con Nosotras” (Everything starts with us) campaign to spotlight the achievements of Bolivian women. Through digital testimonials, women from diverse backgrounds, merchants, bakers, social foundation leaders, shared their journey of overcoming challenges and fulfilling dreams, supported by the Nosotras brand. The campaign encourages women to believe in themselves and persevere, aiming to inspire others and create a ripple effect of empowerment across the country.

North America - Essity has entered into an agreement to acquire Edgewell feminine care business in North America, including the well-known brands Carefree, Stayfree, and o.b., as well as global rights to Playtex. This strategic move strengthens Essity’s presence in the world’s largest hygiene market and aligns with the company’s focus on high-margin categories. With this acquisition, Essity aims to accelerate growth and innovation in feminine care across North America.

United Kingdom - At the Stubbins and Prudhoe paper mills, hygiene paper waste, once destined for landfill, is now repurposed into high-quality animal bedding for horses, cattle, and chickens. Since May 2024, over 20 tonnes of paper crumb have been transformed into absorbent bedding, already in use across the dairy and poultry sectors. This initiative not only reduces landfill dependency and emissions but also supports local agriculture, demonstrating how practical changes in manufacturing can benefit both the environment and the community.

DACH & The Netherlands - Essity has achieved a new milestone in sustainable packaging with the launch of Tempo Original hankies in recyclable outer paper packaging across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. This innovation reduces the outer packaging’s carbon footprint by 24% compared to previous plastic packaging, responding to consumer demand. The new packaging is fully recyclable. For hygiene and cleanliness reasons, the inner packs remain in plastic, containing at least 30% recycled material. Tempo is amongst the first brands to offer tissues in recyclable outer paper packaging, setting a new standard for the market.

France - Essity’s site in Le Theil, Normandy, has taken an important step toward decarbonization with the inauguration of a new biomass boiler. This installation covers 75% of the site’s steam requirements for manufacturing private label hygiene paper products (toilet paper and household towels), reducing gas consumption by 40% and the carbon footprint of the paper machine by 34%. The energy is produced from wood chips sourced from sustainably managed forests located within 200 km, supporting sustainable resource management. This project demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation, industrial performance, and environmental responsibility.

Colombia - Essity, through the Grupo Familia Foundation, celebrates 25 years of its flagship program that promotes circular economy practices and supports the waste picker communities. Since 2012, the foundation has worked with 105 waste pickers, developing projects that dignify their work and promote environmental education. Initiatives like “Collectors”, which recycle used books and create libraries from recovered containers, directly benefit recyclers and their families.
In addition, in the Cauca region, Essity’s partnership with the Propal Foundation supports youth leadership and reforestation with over 100 trees planted and 70 young people trained in sustainability and project development.

Italy - Essity Italy reached a significant milestone by obtaining the Gender Equality Certification, a recognition of its commitment to equal opportunity and respect for all. With over 40% of leadership roles now held by women, Essity Italy has also seen a 60% increase in women in management since 2023. The company fosters an inclusive culture through initiatives like “Courageous Conversations”, interactive discussions involving employees and talks with experts on specific topics such as inclusive language. Essity has demonstrated that fostering an inclusive and engaged workplace not only fuels innovation but also enhances the overall company performance, creating an environment where every individual can realize their full potential.

USA - Essity organized an appreciation event in Barton, Alabama, honoring over 40 emergency response teams and 400 volunteers for their heroic actions during a 2024 warehouse fire. The event included speeches from the site leader, the fire chief and local officials as well as plaque presentations, highlighting Essity’s commitment to safety and its “I Care” culture. The event reinforced Essity’s dedication to community collaboration and recognition of emergency responders.

Mexico - Essity is part of a transformative partnership in Yucatán aimed at closing educational and digital gaps in rural and indigenous schools. In collaboration with the Yucatán State Government, the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, and other partners, Essity is helping to bring digital tools and hope to underserved communities. The pilot project adapts educational content into the Mayan language for several public rural schools, honoring local culture and identity. This initiative exemplifies Essity’s commitment to progress, equality, and cultural heritage, building bridges between nations and empowering youth through education.

Germany - Celebrating its 140th anniversary, Essity’s Kostheim factory, making paper hygiene products under the Tork brand for professional hygiene customers (toilet paper, hand towels, etc.) stands as a beacon of sustainability and innovation. As the second largest Essity factory in Europe, it produces over 120,000 tonnes of hygiene paper annually, powered by green energy from its own power plant, biogas recovery, and rooftop photovoltaics. In 2023, it produced the industry’s first CO₂-free paper roll using renewable energy and green hydrogen. These achievements underscore Essity’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing, innovation and its commitment to reducing environmental impact.