Essity’s net sales increased 9.4% compared with the corresponding period a year ago to SEK 30.6 billion ($3.2 billion). Organic net sales, which exclude exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, increased 4.3%, of which volume accounted for 1.1% and price/mix for 3.2%. Excluding lower sales of mother reels within Consumer Tissue, resulting from production closures within the scope of Tissue Roadmap, organic sales increased 5.1%. Organic net sales increased 1.8% in mature markets and increased 9.1% in emerging markets. Emerging markets accounted for 37% of net sales. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 4.8%. Acquisitions relating to the increase in the shareholding in associates in Latin America increased net sales by 0.3%.

In the Personal Care segment, net sales increased 7% to SEK 11.5 billion ($1.2 billion). Organic net sales, which exclude exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, increased 3.4%. Volumes increased 1.6%, mainly related to Incontinence Products, Medical Solutions and Feminine Care. Price/mix increased by 1.8%, primarily attributable to Feminine Care and Incontinence Products. Organic net sales in mature markets increased 2.5%. In emerging markets, which accounted for 37% of net sales, organic net sales increased 5.1%. Acquisitions relating to the increase in the shareholding in associates in Latin America increased net sales by 0.3%. Exchange rate effects increased net sales by 3.3%.

For Incontinence Products, organic net sales increased 3.7%. Growth was related to emerging markets, North America and Western Europe. Growth in Europe and North America was attributable to both the retail trade and the healthcare sector. In Medical Solutions, organic net sales increased 2.9%, mainly related to emerging markets and Western Europe. For Baby Care, organic net sales decreased 1.1%. The decrease was related to emerging markets. Organic net sales increased in Western Europe. For Feminine Care, organic net sales increased 9.3%, related primarily to Latin America.