Essity Increases Sales Volume in the Second Quarter and Reevaluates Its Consumer Tissue Business

Overall, Essity looks back on a stable second quarter in which most business units recorded growth despite a more challenging market environment. In the Professional Hygiene business unit, for example, the positive volume trend continued. Despite ongoing price pressure, the business unit was able to improve its operating performance. Health & Medical recorded organic sales growth, driven by higher volumes of incontinence products for the healthcare sector and medical solutions. The Personal Care segment also performed well in the second quarter of 2026. According to Essity, organic sales growth in this segment also benefited from higher sales volumes.

Essity Reevaluates Its Consumer Division
The Consumer Tissue division, which includes products such as paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues for the consumer market, performed less favorably. According to the company, revenue in this segment declined due to lower selling prices and reduced sales volumes. At the same time, rising production costs weighed on profitability. According to Essity, the company was unable to fully offset these costs in the long term through price increases without coming under price pressure itself. As a result, Essity is currently evaluating the long-term profitability of the Consumer Tissue business and reviewing several strategic options. In addition to securing profitable volumes and adjusting prices, these options also include a potential divestiture of the segment.