Kimberly-Clark to take sole control of consumer-health group Kenvue

The European Commission has been notified of a proposed concentration under which Kimberly-Clark Corporation would acquire sole control of the whole of Kenvue Inc., a major consumer-health transaction that is now open to third-party observations. The prior notification was published on 3 September 2026 in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union under reference C/2026/4719, as Case M.12330 – KIMBERLY-CLARK / KENVUE, and is marked as a text with EEA relevance.

The notification was received by the Commission on 25 August 2026 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004, the EU Merger Regulation. Under Article 3(1)(b) of that Regulation, Kimberly-Clark would take sole control of the whole of Kenvue, with the concentration accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The undertakings concerned

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (United States) is globally active in the production and sale of personal care products for personal, business and industrial use. In the European Economic Area it supplies diapers for infants and children, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene products, under brands that include Huggies and Kotex.

Kenvue Inc. (United States) manufactures and supplies consumer health products. In the EEA it offers over-the-counter drugs, skin health and beauty products, baby care products, feminine hygiene products, and essential health products such as mouthwash and toothpaste, under brands that include Listerine, Nicorette, Neutrogena and o.b.

Preliminary assessment and next steps

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation, although the final decision on this point is reserved. The Commission now invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed concentration.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of publication, and must always specify the reference M.12330 – KIMBERLY-CLARK / KENVUE. They may be sent by email or by post:

• Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
• Postal address: European Commission, Directorate-General for Competition, Merger Registry, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Why it matters

The deal would bring together two of the largest consumer-goods portfolios in the EEA, combining Kimberly-Clark’s personal-care franchises with Kenvue’s consumer-health brands across overlapping categories such as feminine hygiene and baby care. Because the transaction spans markets where both groups are active, the Commission’s review will determine whether the combined entity could restrict competition, and the ten-day observation window gives competitors, customers and other interested parties a direct channel to raise concerns before a final decision is taken.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, C series, C/2026/4719, 3.9.2026 (official reference: C/2026/4719, Case M.12330 – KIMBERLY-CLARK / KENVUE).