Essity
Hygiene and health company
Spun off from the SCA group in 2017. Sales in 150 countries.

Overall

Owned SWE
Rating C
About the Ratings
Essity Aktiebolag
SWE

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Essity Aktiebolag
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP (2023)
CDP Forests score of A
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of A.
Source: CDP (2023)
11.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2024 and received a score of 11.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
75/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 75/100 in the Household Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Global 100
The 2024 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list by Corporate Knights is based on a rigorous assessment of nearly 7,000 public companies with revenue over US$1 billion. All companies are scored on sustainable revenue and investment, gender and racial diversity, CEO pay versus employee average, CEO bonuses based on sustainability performance, taxes paid and contributions to employee pensions. This company ranked #68 in the Global 100, with an overall score of C+.
Criticism
Forest destruction
Greenpeace's 2017 report "Wiping Away the Boreal" reveals how this company is involved in the destruction of the last critical forest landscapes in Sweden's Great Northern Forest.
Golden Chainsaw Award
In 2018 this company's CEO was presented the Greenpeace 'Golden Chainsaw Award', an accolade granted to those in influential positions that fail to act to protect the world's forests.
34% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 34%.
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Poor" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
Information
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Sustainability claims
This company has extensive sustainability claims on its website.
Better Cotton Initiative member
This company is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, a voluntary program which encourages the adoption of better management practices in cotton cultivation to achieve measurable reductions in key environmental impacts, while improving social and economic benefits for cotton farmers, small and large, worldwide.
Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Global Plastics Treaty endorsee
In 2022 after more than 170 nations backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, global businesses across the plastics value chain, financial institutions, and NGOs came together to announce a common vision for an effective and ambitious Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. The vision will form the basis for future policy engagements with governments through a newly launched Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty which will be convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF. This company has endorsed the vision statement of the treaty.
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation partner
This company is a partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.
C- grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of C-.
27.2% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2024 and is ranked #119/816, with a total score of 27.2/100.
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Company Details

Type:
Public company
Revenue:
11.3 billion EUR (2017)
Employees:
46,000 (2020)
Subsidiaries:
Essity AustralAsia
Personal care products
Formerly Asaleo Care, and before that SCA Hygiene. Operates 11 manufacturing and distribution facilities across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Acquired TOM Organic in Dec 2020 for $12.75 million. Sweden's Essity, who already owned a 33% stake, took over full ownership in 2021.
Modibodi Pty Ltd
Leak proof underwear
Established in Sydney in 2013 by Kristy Chong. Provides leakproof apparel for periods and incontinence including underwear, swimwear, activewear and maternity wear. Acquired by Essity in 2022 for $140 million.
Tom Organic Pty Ltd
Hygiene products
Established in Melbourne in 2009 by Aimee Marks with the launch of certified organic cotton tampons. Since then their range has expanded to include pads and nappies. TOM stands for Time of Month. Acquired by Asaleo Care in Dec 2020 for $12.75 million.

Contact Details

Address:
Stockholm, Sweden
Website:
www.essity.com

Products / Brands

Essity AustralAsia
Libra Feminine Hygiene
Tena Incontinence Needs
Tena Feminine Hygiene
Tork Toilet Paper (Commercial)
Modibodi
Modibodi Feminine Hygiene
Modibodi Underwear/Socks/Sleepwear
TOM Organic
TOM Organic Feminine Hygiene
★ certified organic