Essity has reported a net sales increase of 0.4% to SEK34,976m in its first quarter results, and reiterated its commitment to “innovation, strong brands, efficiency improvements and sustainability work.”
Organic sales growth amounted to 2.1%, while EBITA increased 4% to SEK4,718m. Profit for the period, total operations, was SEK3,083m.
President and Chief Executive Magnus Groth, who in February announced he will leave the company in 2025, said: “Essity began the year with positive organic sales growth in all business areas, stable profitability and continued strong cash flow.
“In these turbulent times, Essity’s strength becomes clear – with production close to our customers and consumers, we deliver leading hygiene and health solutions that are needed every day.”
He added that all business areas reported positive organic sales growth for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with growth was primarily driven by higher prices.
Volumes were lower in Professional Hygiene, mainly due to lower demand in North America.
During the quarter, Groth said the company “achieved product superiority of above 70%”, meaning that customers and consumers rate Essity’s products as the best in the market for more than 70% of the company’s offerings.
“This is the highest percentage to date and the increase is the result of our latest product launches,” he said.
Earnings (EBITA excl. IAC) were slightly lower, mainly due to the higher cost of goods sold while higher sales prices increased earnings.
Groth confirmed the company had had “limited impact from trade tariffs.”
“Essity has sales in approximately 150 countries, but we expect that the changed trade tariffs will only have a limited impact on the company.
“Our production is close to our customers and consumers, with approximately 70 production facilities worldwide.
“For the parts of our operations that are nonetheless affected, we are reviewing our flows and actively striving to optimise our production and supply chain.”
He added the company “remains committed to its ambitions to accelerate its profitable growth during the year.”
“We will achieve this through value-creating innovation, strong brands, efficiency improvements and by continuing our successful sustainability work.”
