The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation announced that the Swedish group Essity, known for brands such as Zewa, Libresse and Libero, will hand over management of its Russian businesses to local shareholders. The shift is framed as a strategic reorganization rather than a shutdown of operations within the country.
Official statements emphasize that ongoing activities will continue without disruption to product lines or overall volumes. The plan is designed to preserve market presence and maintain the value of the brands in Russia while the ownership structure changes hands.
Employment stability is highlighted as part of the arrangement, with assurances that existing jobs will remain in place under the new ownership framework. The transition is presented as a measure that safeguards workforce continuity during the changeover.
Earlier communications indicated that Essity decided to discontinue active operations in Russia and pursue the sale of its Russian business. An agreement with buyers for the sale has already been reached, and the transaction has received approval from relevant authorities in Russia. The closing of the deal is anticipated in the near term following the receipt of funds from the sale and completion of customary post-signing steps.
Industry observers note that the decision by Essity, a producer of personal care goods, is part of broader market dynamics and strategic repositioning. Analysts point out that the domestic market is expected to adapt to the ownership transition, with careful attention paid to continuity of supply and consumer access to familiar products.
The transfer is framed as a step to ensure long-term availability of essential consumer items while aligning brand operations with local management. The narrative stresses that the shift will not compromise the range of products or their affordability, and that the brands will continue to serve Russian consumers as before, albeit under new ownership.
Market participants and industry commentators project that the transition will be managed in a way that preserves brand trust and minimizes any disruption to distribution networks. Attention is given to maintaining service levels for retailers and end users, so shoppers can rely on consistent product availability without interruption during the ownership change.
In related remarks, observers stress the importance of transparent communication throughout the transition process. They underscore that the outcome will be judged by how smoothly operations, logistics, and customer access are maintained as the ownership structure shifts to Russian stakeholders.