Essity has entered into an agreement to acquire Kenvue’s feminine care business in Brazil for $284 million, strengthening the hygiene and health company’s position in one of the world’s largest feminine care markets.
The deal is structured as an asset purchase from certain Kenvue subsidiaries and is valued on a cash- and debt-free basis.
The acquisition includes ownership of the Carefree, Sempre Livre and o.b. brands in Brazil across sanitary pads, liners and tampons.
Essity will also acquire related manufacturing equipment supporting the business.
For the 12 months ended June 30, 2026, the acquired operations generated approximately BRL 800 million in net sales, equivalent to roughly SEK 1.4 billion.
Essity described the business as having good profitability.
The transaction expands Essity’s feminine care platform in Latin America and gives the company a stronger position in Brazil, which it identifies as the world’s fourth-largest feminine care market.
Essity already has an established presence in Brazil through several other hygiene and health categories.
The company is currently a market leader in Brazilian incontinence products through its TENA brand and operates a production facility in Jarinu.
Essity also participates in Brazil through its Professional Hygiene and Medical Solutions businesses.
The acquisition is part of Essity’s strategy of increasing its exposure to categories and markets where it sees stronger opportunities for value creation and long-term growth.
Feminine care represents one of those focus areas.
Essity has built a global portfolio spanning sanitary pads, liners, tampons, intimate soaps, intimate wipes and leakproof apparel.
Its existing feminine care brands include Libresse, Bodyform, Nana, Saba, Libra and Nosotras.
The Kenvue transaction also extends a broader expansion of Essity’s feminine care portfolio through acquisitions.
In February 2026, Essity completed its acquisition of the Carefree, Stayfree and o.b. brands in North America from Edgewell Personal Care.
The Brazilian acquisition will give Essity ownership of additional established brands with strong consumer recognition in Latin America.
The deal remains subject to regulatory approval in Brazil, customary closing conditions and completion of the previously announced Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue transaction.
Essity currently expects the acquisition to close during the second quarter of 2027.
Following completion, Essity will have a broader platform from which to compete across feminine care and other personal hygiene categories in Brazil while leveraging its existing commercial and operational presence in the country.
KEY QUOTE:
“With this acquisition we establish a strong position in feminine care in Brazil and it marks another step in our strategy to grow in our most value-creating categories. Brazil represents a significant growth opportunity in hygiene and health, where we already hold a leading position in incontinence products.”
Ulrika Kolsrud, President And CEO Of Essity
