EU Clears Suzano's Over $3 Billion Deal for Kimberly-Clark's International Tissue Business -- Update

Published: 2026-05-11 11:20:17 ET KMB

Published on 05/11/2026 at 11:20 am EDT

By Edith Hancock

The European Union cleared wood pulp supplier Suzano's acquisition of a majority stake in Kimberly-Clark International Family Care & Professional for over $3 billion, saying that the deal would not raise competition concerns in the bloc.

U.S. consumer goods company Kimberly-Clark--which produces brands Kleenex and Huggies--said in June 2025 it would enter into a strategic partnership with Brazil-based Suzano and would own a 49% interest in a new joint venture that comprises the former's international tissue business. Suzano will own the remaining majority stake.

The European Commission said Monday that rival tissue producers in the bloc will continue to have access to sufficient supplies of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp--widely used in producing tissue and writing paper--despite Suzano's position as the leading supplier worldwide. The commission said that the joint venture would neither be able to nor have an incentive to restrict other European tissue producers' access to pulp supplies, saying that competitors wouldn't face too much difficulty switching to other suppliers and often source from multiple groups.

Write to Edith Hancock at [email protected]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-11-26 1119ET