Essity around the world – March 2026

Every month, Essity highlights activities from around the world showcasing how we make a difference in society and in people's lives through hygiene and health. With our products, solutions, and services, we care for a billion people in 150 countries every day.

In March, Essity accelerated growth and innovation in Latin America, strengthened sustainability and societal impact efforts, and earned strong recognition from customers and partners around the world.

Argentina – Investing for long-term growth. Essity reinforced its commitment to the country with the inauguration of a new distribution centre in Buenos Aires Province, supported by a USD 4.2 million investment. The new site consolidates Personal Care and Professional Hygiene operations, increasing storage and operational capacity by more than 30%. Designed for efficiency, the facility holds EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification, an international green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporate (IFC). This certification requires buildings to achieve at least a 20% reduction in energy and water consumption, reflecting Essity’s strong commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Latin America – Accelerating digital growth. Essity continues to expand its direct-to-consumer channel across South America, supported by the rapid expansion of e-commerce and the rising demand for personalised hygiene and health solutions. Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Peru all recorded strong growth, supported by subscriptions triggering automatic recurrent deliveries, brand platforms and improved consumer education and conversion across the region. In 2026, Essity will focus on integrating digital platforms, artificial intelligence deployment and more seamless consumer experiences.

Colombia / Latin America – Empowering women for 50 years. Essity is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Nosotras, one of Latin America’s most influential feminine care brands, founded in Colombia in 1975. Over five decades, Nosotras has driven category innovation, from adhesive pads to digital solutions and reusable products, while building a strong emotional connection with consumers. Today, the brand holds a 60% value market share in Colombia and is present in more than 10 markets across the region. Beyond products, Nosotras leads large-scale menstrual education and social impact programs, reaching over 75 million people. The anniversary highlights Essity’s leadership in feminine care through innovation, sustainability and purpose-driven growth in Latin America.

Brazil – Breaking taboos around pregnancy incontinence. TENA, Essity’s world leading incontinence brand, released a new survey highlighting the impact of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum. While affecting around 40% of pregnant women according to the Brazilian Society of Urology, the condition remains surrounded by stigma and misinformation, with 95% saying it disrupts daily life. The study reveals limited awareness of treatment options and dedicated products, with one in two women unaware such solutions exist. Many adjust everyday habits, such as fluid intake, clothing choices, or bathroom planning, due to fear of leaks. By sharing robust data, TENA aims to break taboos, encourage dialogue with health professionals and improve women’s quality of life.

France – Advancing industrial decarbonisation. Essity inaugurated a biomass boiler plant at its Kunheim site in Alsace. The installation will cover 70% of the site’s steam needs, cutting gas consumption by 53% and reducing the carbon footprint of the paper machine by 42%. Powered by wood chips from local sources, this project supports Essity's sustainable development goals. It also strengthens regional energy resilience and supports the local timber industry. This investment follows a similar biomass boiler project implemented at the Le Theil site in November 2025.

Colombia – Supporting recyclers and the circular economy. On March 1^st, World Waste Pickers’ Day, Essity highlighted the role of more than 74,000 professional recyclers in Colombia who help reintegrate waste into the production cycle. Through its Familia brand and foundation, Essity supported more than 7,300 recyclers in 2025, focusing on education, health and organisational strengthening. The Familia Green Houses´ program has also delivered 27 homes to recycler families. These initiatives reflect Essity’s long-standing commitment to social inclusion and circularity.

USA – Advancing global dialogue with UNFPA. Essity co-hosted a high-level global dialogue with UNFPA in New York City, USA, on integrating menstrual health into workplace policies, ESG reporting and public agendas. As the first corporate champion of the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, Essity made the case that investing in menstrual health, beyond being a human right issue, also supports productivity, retention and long-term value creation. The dialogue brought together governments, civil society and business leaders, with Finland announced as the Coalition’s first Government Champion. Essity also highlighted how combining internal workplace action with external partnerships with UNFPA, governments and civil society through the Coalition helps translate policy ambition into tangible improvements in employee well-being, resilience and business performance.

Mexico – New insights into menstrual health gaps. Essity, UNICEF and Menstruación Digna México, a civil society collective and advocacy movement, presented the Second National Menstrual Health Management Survey, based on responses from 3,000 people aged 12 to 70. The study shows that 75% of respondents are unfamiliar with the four phases of the menstrual cycle, confirming lack of information as a persistent structural barrier. Access challenges have worsened, with 67% reporting no menstrual products available during unexpected situations at school or work, up from 56% in 2022. The survey also highlights increasing activity limitations due to menstrual pain and fear of staining. By introducing a life-course perspective, including perimenopause and menopause, the findings provide new data to inform public policy and cross-sector action on menstrual health.

Italy – Customer recognition. Essity Italy has been awarded the Feeding Equality (Nutrire la Parità) prize by Unicoop Firenze, a leading Italian consumer retailer, recognising companies that actively promote gender equality through concrete actions and structured policies. In 2025, Essity obtained Italy’s national Gender Equality Certification and achieved balanced gender representation in leadership. The recognition reflects sustained efforts across inclusive policies, communication, leadership programs and workplace culture. It reinforces Essity’s ambition to drive positive change through responsible business practices.

UK – Products of the Year 2026. Essity brands were voted Product of the Year 2026 in three categories in the UK, reflecting strong consumer trust. Bodyform Ultimate was recognised in Period Care, while TENA Discreet Ultra and TENA Pants Protect+ Night Plus were awarded in bladder weakness and nighttime hygiene. These awards underline Essity’s focus on quality, innovation and consumer centric solutions. They also recognise the teams behind brands chosen by consumers every day.

New Zealand – Essity wins Category Excellence Award. Foodstuffs, one of New Zealand’s leading grocery retail groups, hosted its 2026 Partnership Awards in Christchurch, celebrating the suppliers that delivered the strongest collaboration and innovation across the country. Essity was recognised as Grocery – Non-food & Consumables Partner of the Year, highlighting our consistent support to stores, customer focused approach and reliable category performance. The event brought together more than 400 guests and honored excellence in fresh, grocery, sustainability, media and own brands. Foodstuffs leaders underlined how committed partners like Essity help strengthen service to local communities.

Brazil – A partnership for social good. Essity and Drogaria Venancio, one of Brazil’s largest pharmacy chains, carried out the third edition of the “Juntos Por Una Boa Causa” (Together for a Good Cause) initiative, symbolically delivering a check to an artists’ retreat institution. The amount was raised from a percentage of TENA product sales made over two months in Venancio’s physical stores and digital channels. The action, which also includes pharmaceutical services for the institution’s residents and employees, reinforces Essity’s commitment to social sustainability and to supporting older artists in vulnerable situations, while reinforcing ties with a customer.

Italy – When art meets everyday care. In the center of Milan, Essity’s Tempo brand launched its 2026 limited-edition of hanky facial boxes through an immersive public installation created with artist Greg Goya. The initiative transformed a familiar everyday object into a collective emotional experience. The limited-edition packaging features symbolic icons and messages inspired by life’s small and big moments. For three days, passersby could write their current feelings on blue drops suspended in the air, symbolizing emotional tears, and received a product sample. Through this collaboration, Tempo reinforces its emotional connection with consumers while celebrating creativity, inclusivity and care.