Essity’s net sales increased 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with the corresponding period a year ago and amounted to SEK 37.8 billion ($3.4 billion). Organic sales growth increased by 3.9%. Excluding restructuring in Professional Hygiene, growth for the Group increased 4.9%. Volume growth was good. All categories in Consumer Goods and Health & Medical reported higher volumes. Sales prices were higher in all business areas. Professional Hygiene and Health & Medical contributed to a positive mix for the Group. Emerging markets accounted for 25% of net sales.

In the Health & Medical segment, net sales increased organically by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Volume growth was high, prices developed positively and the product mix was favorable. Organic growth in Incontinence Products Health Care was mainly driven by higher volumes. The product mix was favorable, which was mainly related to the continued increase in sales of Tena Pants, and sales prices were stable. Organic growth in Medical Solutions was mainly driven by significantly higher volumes. Sales prices increased and the product mix was stable. Wound care and compression therapy reported high growth.

Consumer Goods’ net sales in the fourth quarter increased organically by 4.5%, primarily driven by higher volumes in all categories. Incontinence Products Retail and Feminine Care reported high organic growth, primarily driven by higher volumes. In Baby Care, prices were lower and the mix was negatively affected by higher sales of retailer brands. In Consumer Tissue, volumes increased and sales prices were higher.

In Professional Hygiene, net sales increased organically by 1.4% during the fourth quarter, despite lower volumes due to restructuring in North America and Europe. Excluding the effect of this, growth was 5.1%. Sales prices were higher and the product mix was positive as a result of a higher share of premium products. Price was partially positively impacted from the release of customer discounts.

For the full year 2024, net sales decreased by 1.1% to SEK 145.5 billion ($13.2 billion). Sales increased organically by 0.2% (+1.8% excluding restructuring and exited contracts), of which volume accounted for 0.5% and price/mix -0.3%. Consumer Goods and Health & Medical reported higher volumes and the underlying volume growth in Professional Hygiene was positive. The mix developed favorably for the group. Sales prices were lower in Consumer Goods, primarily related to Consumer Tissue. Health & Medical and Professional Hygiene reported higher sales prices. Exchange rate effects decreased net sales by 0.4%. Divestments reduced net sales by 0.9% and included the divestment of the Russian operations.