Global hygiene and health company Essity is acquiring the distribution rights to the wound care technology Sorbact in Australia and New Zealand from the Australian company Bayport Brands.

In 2020, sales of Sorbact in the region amounted to $A1.7 million.

“This acquisition underlines our ambition to accelerate growth in advanced wound care, where we showed good organic sales growth during the second half of 2020,” Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity, said.

“It is also a good fit for our strategy to establish a stronger presence in Australia and New Zealand, where we – in addition to our successful medical solutions operations – are also in the final phase of the acquisition of Asaleo Care.”

Sorbact is a clinically established innovation for advanced wound care, which is manufactured and marketed by Abigo Medical. Essity acquired 75 per cent of Abigo Medical in February 2020.

Sorbact is used in wound care products to prevent and treat infections. It does this using a natural mode of action that binds bacteria and fungi.

Sorbact does not contain antiseptics or other toxic substances, which is positive for both the patient and the environment.

In February, Essity entered an agreement with Asaleo Care to acquire the remaining 63.8 per cent of the shares in the company for $A1.40 per shar

Asaleo Care manufactures and markets personal care and professional hygiene products in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and consumer tissue in New Zealand and Fiji.

The company’s portfolio of brands includes Libra, Handee Ultra, Purex, Sorbent, Deeko, Viti and Orchid, and the global brands TENA and Tork through an exclusive license agreement with Essity.

In 2020, Asaleo Care reported sales of $A419 million and underlying EBITDA of $A89 million. Sales growth in 2020 amounted to 2.3 per cent.

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