In the second quarter of 2023, Essity’s net sales increased 15.8% to SEK 43.9 billion ($4.3 billion). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 8.7%, of which volume accounted for -3.6%, price/mix for 11% and acquisitions for 1.3%. Sales prices were higher and the mix better. Volumes were negatively impacted on account of the company’s prioritization of higher profitability ahead of volume and restructuring measures in Professional Hygiene’s European operations. Furthermore, volumes were negatively impacted by lower volumes in Russia and the discontinuation of the baby diaper business in Latin America. Organic sales growth in mature markets amounted to 6.8% and in emerging markets to 8.8%. Emerging markets accounted for 37% of net sales. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 7.1%.

In the Health & Medical segment, second quarter net sales increased 14.8% to SEK 7.05 billion ($687.8 million). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 8%, of which volume accounted for -3.5%, price/mix for 11.5% and acquisitions for 0%. The organic sales growth amounted to 7.1% in mature markets. In emerging markets, which accounted for 21% of net sales, organic sales growth was 11.4%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 6.8%. For Incontinence Products Health Care, organic sales growth amounted to 10.1% due to higher prices and a better mix. Volumes decreased as a result of the decision to discontinue contracts with insufficient profitability. In Medical Solutions, organic sales growth amounted to 5.1% mainly as a result of higher prices. Sales growth was high in the Compression Therapy product segment.

In the Consumer Goods segment, net sales increased 14.7% to SEK 26.3 billion ($2.6 billion). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 8%, of which volume accounted for -3%, price/mix for 8.8% and acquisitions for 2.2%. Sales prices were higher in all product segments. Volumes declined on account of the company’s prioritization of higher profitability ahead of volume. Organic sales growth amounted to 3.7% in mature markets. In emerging markets, which accounted for 49% of net sales, organic sales growth was 7.8%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 6.7%. For Incontinence Products Retail, organic sales growth amounted to 13.7% due to higher volumes, higher prices and a better mix. In Feminine Care, organic sales growth amounted to 10.5% as a result of higher volumes and higher prices. In Baby Care, organic sales growth was -1.8%, mainly due to lower volumes, which were negatively impacted by the discontinuation of the baby diaper business in Latin America and the decision to exit retailer brands contract with insufficient profitability in Europe. Sales prices in Baby Care were higher. In Consumer Tissue, organic sales growth amounted to 4.8%, mainly as a result of higher prices in addition to a better mix. Volumes were lower on account of the prioritization of higher profitability ahead of volume. For the Consumer Tissue Private Label Europe division, organic sales growth amounted to 3.5% as a result of higher prices and lower volumes.