The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a €400 million loan to Swedish hygiene and health company Essity to drive innovation and sustainability in its research and development programmes across Europe, EIB announced. The funds will support Essity’s R&D centres in Sweden, Germany, and France, helping create more sustainable health and hygiene products while cutting carbon emissions and reducing plastic use.
The investment will focus on developing new production methods and materials for personal care, professional hygiene, and medical wound care products. These innovations will support popular Essity brands such as TENA, Libresse, Tork, Tempo, Libero, and Leukoplast, by improving sustainability and expanding access to effective and affordable hygiene solutions.
“Europe’s competitiveness depends on sustained innovation that improves people’s lives,” said Karl Nehammer, EIB Vice-President. “By supporting Essity’s research programme, we’re helping strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in health and hygiene while advancing the green and circular economy.”
Essity President and CEO Ulrika Kolsrud said the agreement reinforces the company’s focus on combining performance with sustainability. “From new product launches to smarter, value-driven upgrades, we’re committed to driving innovation that benefits health, the environment, and everyday life,” she said.
Beyond its sustainability goals, the project also promotes gender equality, with about 30% of investment dedicated to innovation in feminine care, including menstrual and incontinence products informed by clinical research and user testing. This focus aims to improve health outcomes for women and reduce environmental impact.
The EIB’s financing aligns with its priorities on innovation, digitalization, and human capital and supports EU strategies, including the Green Deal, bioeconomy, and TechEU programme. Essity, which employs around 36,000 people, has previously partnered with the EIB on multi-year R&D programmes completed in 2016 and 2024, continuing a strong record of European collaboration for sustainable innovation.
