Essity’s net sales for 2017 increased 8% compared with the corresponding period a year ago to SEK 109.3 billion ($13.7 billion). Organic sales, which exclude exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, increased 1.2%, of which volume accounted for 0.8% and price/mix for 0.4%. Organic sales decreased 1% in mature markets and increased 5.3% in emerging markets. Emerging markets accounted for 35% of net sales. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 0.4%. The acquisitions of BSN medical and Wausau Paper Corp. increased net sales by 6.4%.

In the personal care segment, net sales increased 20.6% to SEK 40.6 billion ($5.1 billion). Organic sales, which exclude exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, increased 1.8%, of which volume accounted for 2.2% and price/mix for -0.4%. The closures of the Baby Care business in Mexico and the hygiene business in India negatively impacted organic sales by approximately 1%. Organic sales in mature markets increased by 1.7%. In emerging markets, which accounted for 37% of net sales, organic sales rose 2%. The acquisition of BSN medical increased net sales by 18.7%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 0.1%.

For Incontinence Products, under the Tena brand, organic sales increased 2.7%. Growth is related to emerging markets, North America and Western Europe. The European retail sector reported good growth, while lower sales to the healthcare sector had a negative effect on growth. For Baby Care, organic sales decreased 2.5%. The decline was mainly the result of the closures of the Baby Care businesses in Mexico and India, as well as lower sales in Russia. In Europe, organic sales increased for Baby Care. For Feminine Care, organic sales increased by 3.7%, related to Latin America and Asia.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, net sales increased 7.1% compared with the corresponding period a year ago to SEK 28.7 billion ($3.6 billion). Organic sales, which exclude exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, rose 1.8%, of which volume accounted for 0.8% and price/mix for 1%. Organic sales decreased 0.3% in mature markets and increased 5.9% in emerging markets. Emerging markets accounted for 35% of net sales. Exchange rate effects reduced net sales by 2.7%. The acquisition of BSN medical increased net sales by 8%.

Fourth quarter personal care net sales increased 24.3% to SEK 10.8 billion ($1.4 billion). Organic sales, which exclude exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, increased 3%, of which volume accounted for 3% and price/mix for 0%. The closures of the Baby Care business in Mexico and the hygiene business in India negatively impacted organic sales by approximately 1%. Organic sales in mature markets increased by 4.1%. In emerging markets, which accounted for 35% of net sales, organic sales increased by 1.7%. The acquisition of BSN medical increased net sales by 24.6%. Exchange rate effects reduced net sales by 3.3%.

For Incontinence Products, organic sales increased 4.3%. Growth is mainly related to emerging markets, North America and Western Europe. Growth in Europe was attributable to higher sales to both the retail and healthcare sectors. For Baby Care, sales declined by 0.8%. The closures of the Baby Care businesses in Mexico and India had a negative impact on sales. Sales increased in Europe. For Feminine Care, organic sales increased by 3.1%, mainly related to Latin America.