In the first quarter of 2022, Essity’s net sales increased 24.6% compared with the corresponding period a year ago to SEK 34.3 billion ($3.6 billion). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 17.3%. Organic sales growth, which excludes exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, amounted to 14.6%, of which volume accounted for 7.2% and price/mix for 7.4%. Organic sales growth in mature markets amounted to 16.5% and in emerging markets to 11.6%. Emerging markets accounted for 37% of net sales. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 7.4%. Acquisitions increased net sales by 2.7%. Divestments reduced net sales by 0.1%.

In the Consumer Goods segment, net sales increased 21.2% to SEK 21 billion ($2.2 billion). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 13.8%. Organic sales growth amounted to 11.5%, of which volume 3.2% and price/mix 8.3%. The organic sales growth amounted to 13.9% in mature markets. In emerging markets, which accounted for 48% of net sales, organic sales growth amounted to 9.1%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 7.4%. Acquisitions increased net sales by 2.3%.

In Incontinence Products Retail, organic sales growth amounted to 14.6%, in Feminine Care to 21.1% and in Baby Care to 9%. For these three categories, sales growth was mainly the result of higher volumes and price increases. In Consumer Tissue, organic sales growth amounted to 9.9% and for the Consumer Tissue Private Label Europe division to 18.3%. The sales growth was mainly the result of price increases.

In the company’s Health and Medical segment, net sales increased 16.4% to SEK 5.8 billion ($613 million). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 11.7%. Organic sales growth amounted to 9.5%, of which volume 7.3% and price/mix 2.2%. The organic sales growth amounted to 6.2% in mature markets. In emerging markets, which accounted for 20% of net sales, organic sales growth amounted to 23.5%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 5.2%. Acquisitions increased net sales by 2.2%. Divestments reduced net sales by 0.5%.

For Incontinence Products Health Care, organic sales growth amounted to 9.1% due to higher volumes and higher prices. In Medical Solutions, organic sales growth amounted to 10%, primarily as a result of higher volumes in Wound Care and Orthopedics.

In Professional Hygiene, net sales increased 43.7% to SEK 7.5 billion ($793 million). Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 34.1%. Organic sales growth amounted to 29.8%, of which volume 20.3% and price/mix 9.5%. The organic sales growth amounted to 32.3% in mature markets. In emerging markets, which accounted for 19% of net sales, organic sales growth amounted to 20.8%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 9.6%. Acquisitions increased net sales by 4.3%.