Essity AB Series B

Essity has agreed to acquire Kenvue's feminine care business in Brazil, including the market-leading brands Carefree, Sempre Livre and o.b., for USD 284m on a cash and debt-free basis. The acquisition is structured as an asset purchase from certain Kenvue subsidiaries and includes ownership of the brands for sanitary pads, liners and tampons, as well as related manufacturing equipment in Brazil. For the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2026, the acquired business had net sales of approximately BRL 800m with good profitability. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in Brazil and other customary closing conditions, as well as the completion of the Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue transaction, and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2027. Essity says the acquisition strengthens its position as a market leader in feminine care in Latin America and marks another step in its strategy to grow in its most value-creating categories.

The global adult diapers market is projected to grow from USD 14.16 billion in 2025 to USD 32.19 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.22 percent, according to a new report by SNS Insider. North America held a 33 percent revenue share in 2025, with the U.S. market alone valued at USD 4.39 billion and expected to reach USD 8.79 billion by 2035. Europe was valued at USD 4.09 billion in 2025 and is forecast to hit USD 8.82 billion by 2035, while Asia-Pacific is set to be the fastest-growing region with a CAGR of 10.52 percent. Pull-up pants led product types with a 39 percent market share, retail pharmacies dominated distribution with 34 percent, urinary incontinence accounted for 56 percent of applications, and homecare settings captured 48 percent of end-user demand. Key players include Essity, Kimberly-Clark, Unicharm, and Ontex, with recent innovations focusing on improved absorbency, skin protection, and sustainable materials.