H3. Innovation

Essity wants to improve well-being for consumers and customers while reducing its impact on the environment with focus on More from less and Circularity. Essity’s target is that at least 33% of the company’s innovations are to yield social and/or environmental improvements. In 2020, 64% (69; 59) of Essity’s innovations yielded social and/or environmental improvements. This refers to the percentage of sales of innovations measured over 36 months. Variations between the years are a natural result of the product categories’ various launches. Examples of innovations in 2020 include packaging made from recycled or renewable plastic, face masks and washable absorbent underwear.

Sustainable innovations

Sustainable innovations (bar chart)

A product range’s life cycle assessment (LCA) encompasses most of the products sold in a region. This allows Essity to measure environmental performance for innovations and gradual improvements in the company’s daily operations for entire product ranges over several years.

Lower climate impact through the use of innovation

Products

Year

Carbon footprint reduction %

Incontinence Products

2008–2019

 

TENA Flex

 

–18

TENA Pads and Liner

 

–33

TENA Comfort

 

–19

TENA Men

 

–20

TENA Pants and Underwear

 

–33

TENA Slip

 

–20

TENA Bed

 

–11

 

 

 

Feminine Care

2008–2019

 

Feminine Ultra towels

 

–17

 

 

 

Baby Care

2008–2017

 

Libero and Lotus open diaper

 

–25

Libero and Lotus pant diaper

 

–16

 

 

 

Professional Hygiene

 

 

Tork napkins

2011–2019

–9

Tork paper hand towels

2011–2017

–18

 

 

 

Consumer Tissue

2011–2018

 

Toilet paper

 

–10

Household towels

 

–19

Handkerchiefs and facial tissues

2011–2020

–8

The life cycle assessments performed by Essity have been subject to third-party reviews. A product range’s LCAs are updated every second or third year.

Read more about how Essity works with innovation in the chapters Well-being and More from less and Circularity.