Essity acquires Kenvue’s Brazilian feminine care business for USD 284M
The transaction is designed to cement Essity’s position as a feminine care market leader in Latin America and expand its footprint in one of the world’s largest hygiene markets.
BRAZIL – Essity has entered into an agreement to acquire Kenvue’s feminine care business in Brazil, in a deal valued at USD 284 million on a cash- and debt-free basis.
The transaction, structured as an asset purchase from selected Kenvue subsidiaries, covers ownership of the Carefree, Sempre Livre and o.b. brands for sanitary pads, liners and tampons in Brazil, together with related manufacturing equipment located in the country.
For the 12 months ended 30 June 2026, the acquired business generated net sales of around BRL 800 million (USD 156.4 million) and delivered what Essity describes as good profitability.
Ulrika Kolsrud, President and CEO of Essity, stated, “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.”
The company already leads the incontinence segment in Brazil under the TENA brand and maintains an established presence in Professional Hygiene and Medical Solutions, operating a production facility in Jarinu.
Globally, Essity is a fast-growing player in feminine care, offering sanitary pads, liners, tampons, intimate soaps, intimate wipes and leakproof apparel under brands such as Libresse, Bodyform, Nana, Saba, Libra and Nosotras, and in February 2026 it completed the acquisition of the Carefree, Stayfree and o.b. brands in North America from Edgewell Personal Care.
Brazil ranks among the world’s largest hygiene markets and is the fourth-largest feminine care market globally, underlining the strategic importance of the deal.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval in Brazil and other customary closing conditions, as well as the completion of the broader Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue transaction, with Essity expecting the deal to close in the second quarter of 2027.
Meanwhile, Essity recently introduced a new generation of sanitary pads designed to better manage unpredictable menstrual flow, a problem that contributes to the wider global menstrual health gap.
The product features an instant-absorbing centre, connected distribution channels and a body-adaptive shape, with Essity saying it can help deliver up to 100% leak-free days and nights.
Its development was informed by extensive ethnographic research across the consumer journey, including emotions, worries, and triggers throughout the day and night, as well as a first-of-its-kind clinical study conducted during sleep.
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