Australian Authorities Grant Conditional Approval for K-C, Kenvue Deal

Read more about the Kimberly-Clark, Kenvue deal here.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given conditional approval of Kimberly-Clark’s acquisition of Kenvue in Australia, subject to K-C’s divestment of the Carefree and Stayfree menstrual care brands in the country.

Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue both supply menstrual care products in Australia. Kimberly-Clark supplies tampons, sanitary pads and panty liners under the U by Kotex brand, while Kenvue supplies these products under the Carefree and Stayfree brands. Both are two of the three leading suppliers, along with Essity, of menstrual products in Australia.

“We consider that, without the divestment of the Carefree and Stayfree brands, this acquisition could substantially lessen competition in the supply of menstrual products in Australia,” says Philip Williams, an ACCC commissioner.

Kenvue has already divested the Stayfree and Carefree brands in Brazil in a deal with Essity.