Austria 
Belgium 
Canada 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Italy 
Mexico 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Poland 
Spain 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 
USA 
Targets and Outcomes
Essity creates value for customers, consumers, communities, employees, and shareholders through profitable and sustainable growth. The concept of profitable and sustainable growth has been broken down into a number of Group targets and policies.
Financial targets
Annual organic sales growth
Target:
>3%
On June 17, 2024, Essity presented new financial targets based on the company’s portfolio following the divestment of the subsidiary Vinda. The new targets are an increase in ambition with an emphasis on profitable growth and are based on the company’s robust platform with leading positions in growing and attractive markets. Read the press release.
EBITA margin excluding IAC
Target:
>15%
Capital Structure Policy
Target:
Maintain a solid investment grade rating
Outcome 2023:
“Solid investment grade rating”
Net debt amounted to SEK 49,964m. Net debt in relation to adjusted EBITDA2) amounted to 2.00.
Dividend Policy
Target:
Long-term stable and rising dividends
Outcome 2023:
7.75
Dividend per share, SEK
The dividend was increased with 7% compared with 2022 to SEK 7.75 per share for the 2023 fiscal year.
Previous financial targets
Annual sales growth
Target:
>5%
Outcome 2023:
6.7%
In 2023, sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 6.7%, of which volume accounted for –3.7%, price/mix for 9.5% and acquisitions 0.9%. See footnote 1)
Adjusted return on capital employed
Target by 2025:
>17%
Outcome 2023:
16.4%
In 2023, the profit was positively impacted by higher sales prices, a better product mix, and cost savings. See footnote 2)
Sustainability targets
Science-based targets (compared with 2016):
Target 2030:
-35%
Scope 1 and 2
Outcome 2023:
-26%
Scope 1 and 2
Essity’s climate-affecting emissions are divided into three different classes (Scope) depending on origin. Scope 1 and 2 are directly linked to Essity’s production. Scope 3 reports indirect emissions in Essity’s value chain.
Target 2030:
-35%
Scope 3
Outcome:
-10%
Scope 33)
Sustainable innovations
Target:
>50%
Outcome 2023:
85%
Share that yielded social and/or environmental improvements
Sustainable innovations are measured as the share of revenue from innovations launched in the most recent three years. For example, in 2023 Essity launched washable pads under the brands Saba and Nosotras, and natural colored paper towels and toilet paper made of 100% recycled fiber under the Tork brand.
Health and safety
Target 2025:
-75%
Outcome 2023:
-58%
Decrease in total recordable incident rate compared with 2019
The Total recordable injury (TRI) figure includes Lost time accidents (LTA), Restricted work cases (RWC) and Medical treatment cases (MTC). All of Essity’s production facilities are conducting purposeful and systematic work with safety issues.
Gender distribution at management levels
Target 2025:
40/60%
Outcome 2023:
32/68%
Essity’s target is that gender distribution at all management levels (Executive Management Team, senior management, middle management) is to be within the interval 40/60%, where the majority group based on gender is to constitute no more than 60%. The target is reported at an aggregate outcome level for the three management levels.
Fresh fiber
Target:
100%
Outcome 2023:
98%
Share of FSCTM or PEFC-certified fresh fiber
Through certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™ C003255) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC/16-33-1406), Essity ensures sustainable fiber sourcing, thereby preventing deforestation and promoting biodiversity.
Production waste
Target 2030:
100%
Outcome 2023:
67%
Subject to material or energy recovery
Resource efficiency and the reduction of waste are important in Essity’s production facilities. The target is that all production waste will be subject to material and energy recovery by 2030, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Packaging
Target 2025:
85%
Outcome 2023:
78%
Share of packaging manufactured from renewable and/or recycled material
Essity is striving for 100% recyclability and 85% renewable or recycled material in the company’s packaging. This target applies to both paper and plastic packaging for Essity’s brands.
Responsible sourcing
Target 2025:
95%
Outcome 2023:
92%
Share of Essity's total purchase cost from suppliers that comply with Essity’s Global Supplier Standard
Essity has a Global Supplier Standard to ensure responsible business operations and respect for human rights in the company’s supply chain.
Business ethics and Code of Conduct
Target:
100%
Outcome 2023:
88%
Share of new employees who received training in the Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct describes how employees are to act, how the company operates, stakeholder expectations of Essity, and Essity’s commitment to human rights. All wholly owned subsidiaries are bound by the Code of Conduct.