Kimberly-Clark’s Barrow plant becomes part of new global company Arbex
Kimberly-Clark’s manufacturing plant in Barrow has become part of a new independent tissue and hygiene company.
Arbex officially began operations on July 1 following the completion of a $3.4 billion joint venture between Kimberly-Clark and Brazilian pulp producer Suzano.
Suzano holds a controlling 51 per cent stake in the new business, while Kimberly-Clark retains the remaining 49 per cent.
Barrow plant included in new business
Arbex has taken ownership of the assets previously operated by Kimberly-Clark’s International Family Care and Professional division.
The new company includes 22 manufacturing sites across 14 countries. This includes the Barrow plant, which produces well-known tissue products including Andrex and Kleenex.
Around 9,000 employees are understood to be part of the wider international business transferred into the joint venture.
Arbex will operate in more than 70 markets across five continents. Its headquarters will be in the Netherlands, with an operational office and much of its senior leadership team based in London.
Major brands remain in production
The new company has taken control of more than 40 regional brands, including Andrex, Hakle and Scottex.
It also holds long-term licences allowing it to continue making and selling products under major Kimberly-Clark names. These include Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, WypAll, Viva and Kimberly-Clark Professional.
This means familiar products made at the Barrow site can continue to carry established brand names despite the change in ownership structure.
New chief executive appointed
Ehab Abou-Oaf, who previously led Kimberly-Clark’s international family care and professional business, has become chief executive of Arbex.
He said the new company would combine a strong heritage and trusted brands with the scale needed to compete in the global tissue and hygiene market.
Luís Bueno, previously an executive vice-president at Suzano, has been named chief operating officer. Oscar Mousinho will serve as chief financial officer.
Deal cleared by regulators
The joint venture was first announced in June 2025.
The European Union approved the deal without conditions in May 2026. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority later cleared the transaction and decided not to refer it for a deeper investigation.
Although the Barrow operation has a new controlling owner, Kimberly-Clark remains closely involved through its 49 per cent holding and licensing agreements.
