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Founded in Sweden in 1929, Essity is one of the world's largest companies in the hygiene and health sector. Sustainability, innovation and inclusion are among its core values. The company manufactures and markets well-known brands such as Tena and Tork, which are sold in around 150 countries, also having the local brand Colhogar and producing for the main distribution chains. It is the world leader in incontinence and professional hygiene products, the second largest global supplier of tissue paper for mass consumption and a benchmark in Europe in medical solutions, with brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, Jobst and Leukoplast.

 

Essity arrived in Spain in 1976 with the acquisition of a local company based in Puigpelat (Tarragona), and in the 2000s it added two other production centres: Allo (Navarra) and Telde (Gran Canaria). In 2020, it opened a logistics and supply chain planning hub at its commercial office in Barcelona (Supply Chain Hub). In total, Essity employs more than 1,400 people in our country.

 

      

 

How has the Spanish subsidiary evolved since its arrival in 1976?

Since arriving in Spain, Essity has maintained a firm commitment to the country's industrial, economic and social development. From Puigpelat, and later with the centres in Allo and Telde, the company has consolidated a solid and sustainable presence in the region. For almost five decades, Essity has evolved steadily, driving innovation, operational excellence and people's well-being. At the same time, its growth has been supported by a firm commitment to local talent and training, promoting employability, professional development and the creation of opportunities in the environments in which it operates. Essity's exceptional team has been key to consolidating Spain's position as a strategic player within the group's global structure. At the forefront of digitalisation and sustainability in our processes, we drive industrial innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of the sector in the country.

 

In 2024, you opened a new production line in Puigpelat and have now upgraded the facilities in Allo. How much have you invested in these projects?

These actions are just two examples of how Essity has strengthened its commitment to Spain in recent years through sustained investment in the modernisation and growth of our production plants. At the same time, we have promoted the country's technological development, positioning it as a key producer.

 

What is the current production capacity of your three Spanish plants?

Essity's three production centres in Spain – Puigpelat, Allo and Telde – employ more than 1,200 people. Allo has a production capacity of over 125,000 tonnes per year, with hygiene products under the Colhogar brand, the Tork line and distribution brands. The team consists of more than 400 professionals and, since March, a line dedicated to the manufacture of professional hygiene products has been added. Puigpelat, with more than 650 direct employees, has a total production capacity of more than 150,000 tonnes. It manufactures personal hygiene products under its Tena and Orly's brands, feminine hygiene products and jumbo-sized tissue paper, and it is the only centre in Europe that combines these production lines. The Telde plant complements the Spanish production network, manufacturing part of the range and receiving products manufactured at the other two plants for national and international distribution.

 

What is the role of your logistics and planning hub in Barcelona?

The Planning and Logistics Hub is a global nerve centre that drives operational excellence, sustainability and innovation throughout the supply chain. The hub coordinates 4,500 daily shipments, manages 20,000 SKUs and supports more than 600 production lines worldwide. Its size enables cost efficiency through economies of scale and an on-time delivery rate of over 98.5%. It currently has more than 200 employees of 28 different nationalities, including 230 professionals with specialised profiles in supply chain management.

 

What investment do they make in R&D in Spain?

Continuous innovation, quality and operational excellence guide all of Essity's activities in Spain. With more than €175 million allocated to digitalisation in recent years, process automation, sustainability and safety, we are working to operate at the forefront of the hygiene and health sector. One of the most notable projects is the International Distribution Centre (IDC) in Navarra. This is an automated logistics centre opened in 2017 at a cost of €18 million, and designed to store and distribute products both locally and to neighbouring EU countries. Other projects include the comprehensive digitalisation of processes and energy optimisation, such as the use of waste heat from paper machines. This activity is complemented by an active exchange of best practices and collaboration with the network of European plants, boosting competitiveness and raising the quality of our operations and products.

 

What other significant investments do you have planned in our country?

Essity will continue to drive investment in its production centres in Spain, with the aim of optimising operations and moving towards more sustainable models. We will continue to focus on innovation as a differentiating factor, to improve the efficiency of our processes and develop high-quality, environmentally friendly solutions that are tailored to our customers' needs. These investments include environmental improvements, energy efficiency, process digitalisation and training programmes for the team, focusing on safety, technical skills and sustainability. With a strong commitment to Spain and active collaboration with the local community and talent, Essity seeks to continue boosting the country's economy, generating employment and business opportunities.

 

What role does Spain play in the company's strategy?

The Iberia market, which includes Spain and Portugal, is key to Essity's global strategy. Our country has state-of-the-art facilities that consolidate its position as a benchmark in logistics efficiency and supply chain at the company. Our team is the key to this positive balance and enables us to meet the challenges of a demanding market, from fluctuations in raw materials and energy to the complexity of logistics and production.

Strategic priorities in Spain include sustainability, with a special focus on the efficient use of resources, digitalisation to differentiate ourselves in terms of safety, and productivity and supply chain optimisation in an increasingly agile market by investing in tomorrow.

 

^{Photos: Essity}