29 May 2026: The UK competition authority has approved the planned tissue joint venture between Brazilian pulp and paper manufacturer Suzano and US company Kimberly-Clark. According to Suzano, this means that all necessary regulatory approvals have now been obtained. The EU had already given the green light to the deal in mid-May.
However, the completion of the $3.4bn transaction remains subject to further contractually agreed conditions. These include, in particular, the implementation of a corporate reorganisation by Kimberly-Clark.
The deal is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026, the statement adds.
The joint venture will combine Kimberly-Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business with Suzano’s business, forming a major global player in tissue and professional hygiene products. The IFP business produces and distributes tissue products across Europe, Africa, Central America, Puerto Rico, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. The company's family care and professional business lines in North America are not part of the deal and will remain with Kimberly-Clark.
Under the agreement, Suzano will acquire a 51 per cent stake in Kimberly-Clark IFP NewCo, a newly established Netherlands-based subsidiary of Kimberly-Clark that was created for the planned joint venture. K-C will retain the remaining 49 per cent. The new company is expected to generate around $3.3bn in annual sales, will manage 22 production sites and employ approximately 9,000 people.