Pulp producer Suzano and consumer goods manufacturer Kimberly-Clark have officially launched Arbex, a $3.4bn (£2.53bn) joint venture that will operate 22 manufacturing sites across 14 countries, making it one of the world’s largest tissue and hygiene businesses.
The new company will manufacture, market and distribute consumer and professional tissue and hygiene products across more than 70 markets on five continents. Arbex is headquartered in the Netherlands, with its global executive office based in London.
The business combines assets from Kimberly-Clark’s former International Family Care & Professional (IFP) division, alongside a portfolio of more than 40 regional brands. Under a long-term licensing agreement, Arbex will also produce and sell globally recognised brands including Kleenex®, Scott®, Cottonelle®, Andrex®, Viva® and WypAll®.
Ehab Abou-Oaf, formerly President of Kimberly-Clark’s International Family Care & Professional business, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. He will lead the company from London alongside much of the global executive team.
Joining him are Chief Operating Officer Luís Renato Bueno, previously Executive Vice President of Suzano’s consumer goods business, Chief Financial Officer Oscar Mousinho, formerly Global CFO of Mars’ Pet Nutrition division, and Chairman Walter Schalka, who served as Suzano’s CEO for more than a decade until 2024.
Commenting on the launch, Abou-Oaf said: “This new company brings together a distinguished heritage, a portfolio of trusted brands, and a compelling vision for the future. Our parent companies have given us a sturdy foundation and a leading market position.
“In an increasingly dynamic and evolving global landscape, Arbex is embarking on a new journey from a position of strength, and we believe we can shape the future of the tissue and hygiene sector.”
He added that the company’s immediate priority is ensuring a smooth transition for employees, customers and consumers while building on its established market position.
Bueno said Arbex combines Suzano’s industrial and operational expertise with Kimberly-Clark’s international brand and marketing capabilities.
“From day one we will be a successful global business, which gives us an exciting launchpad for accelerated growth and an opportunity to build on momentum,” he said.
“We are combining the best of Suzano’s industrial and operational expertise with Kimberly-Clark’s formidable international marketing and brand capabilities, uniting these through shared values of innovation and sustainability. With a pure-play focus on tissue and hygiene products, we believe Arbex has the commercial, technical and innovation capabilities to deliver sustainable growth.”
The launch follows the announcement of the joint venture in June 2025 and establishes Arbex as a standalone manufacturer focused exclusively on tissue and hygiene products for consumer and professional markets worldwide.
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