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Tork helps customers cut carbon emissions in Europe

01.06.2026

Tork, an Essity brand and the global leader in professional hygiene, has announced it has significantly expanded its carbon data reporting across its European product portfolio while delivering substantial carbon footprint reductions – including up to 22%1 – across key systems. The move comes as European businesses face mounting pressure to meet the European Green Deal target of net zero by 2050 and other regulations. 

Tork improves carbon measurement and reporting by tracking carbon data throughout the entire life cycle from raw materials through each single product use to end of life. This comprehensive approach allows customers to make informed decisions about the environmental performance of hygiene products across their entire facilities, from washrooms to foodservice areas to maintenance operations.

“For Tork, carbon data isn't just an environmental metric, it's a way we help improve our customers’ business performance,” said Lee Radzki, Customer Marketing Sustainability Manager, Professional Hygiene at Essity. “Sustainability can be a strong differentiator in purchasing decisions, according to nearly 85% of businesses2. We look at the entire life cycle including efficient production and reduced energy use, lower consumption, less waste and smarter packaging. Our improvements become our customers’ improvements.” 

Since October 2025, Essity has used renewable electricity in the papermaking of select Tork hand towels – an improvement that helps customers immediately reduce the carbon footprint of the hygiene products they use every day. By continuing to invest in renewable electricity and innovating across the product life cycle, Tork now offers the same reliable, high performing products with a lower carbon footprint across several of its most widely used systems.

Highlights include: 

  • Tork PeakServe® Continuous™ Hand Towel refills: 22% carbon reduction1   
  • Tork Matic® Hand Towel Rolls: 21% carbon reduction3     
  • Tork exelCLEAN® Biobased cloths assortment: 17% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional cloths4   
  • Tork Xpressnap® Napkin refills: 14% carbon reduction5  
 

To further support customers’ sustainability initiatives, Tork has enhanced the Tork Focus4 Sustainability platform with new tools and resources to make sustainability easier:

  • Easier to choose: Tork provides comprehensive product sheets and infographics with detailed sustainability benefits. For select systems, including napkins and hand towels, carbon per use measurements6 uniquely enable facility managers to generate realistic product comparisons. 
  • Easier to report: The Tork Focus4 Sustainability Data Tool offers easy access to product information ideal for quotes and tenders. The tool now includes extended information such as sustainability labels, compostable products, third-party mill and product certifications and recycling validation (RecyClass grade).
  • Easier to navigate: Free online Tork Sustainability Academy training modules now include a training on European legislation and decarbonisation, covering key regulations, stakeholders and how to integrate sustainability into business models.
 

"Sustainability drives business performance,” Lee continued. “Customers expect sustainability, employees value it, and regulations increasingly demand it. Tork sustainable hygiene products help businesses meet these expectations while improving business results."

All carbon footprint reductions have been quantified through third-party reviewed cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and are compared to product carbon footprints before renewable electricity purchases. 

For more information about carbon data and Tork Focus4 Sustainability visit: http://www.torkglobal.com/gb/en/focus4productsheets   

Foot Notes:

1 On average, compared to the average of all Tork PeakServe® (H5) refill carbon footprint before commencing purchase of renewable electricity, verified and matched through Guarantees of Origin, for our paper making operations. The resulting carbon footprint reductions were quantified in a third party reviewed cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment

2 European business buyers/employees surveyed, ERM B2B Pulse Report, Fall 2025

3 On average, compared to the average of all Tork Matic® (H1) premium refill carbon footprint before commencing purchase of renewable electricity, verified and matched through Guarantees of Origin, for our paper making operations. The resulting carbon footprint reductions were quantified in a third party reviewed cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment. Note: for Europe only.

4 Compared to the carbon footprint of the corresponding regular wipe (530179 or 530150), which is partly composed of fossil-based material, and when the waste management method is incineration.  The carbon footprint reduction was quantified in a third party reviewed cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment.

5 On average, compared to the average of all Tork Xpressnap® system (N4) refill carbon footprint before April 1st 2025 when commencing purchase of renewable electricity, verified and matched through Guarantees of Origin, for our paper making operations. The resulting carbon footprint reductions were quantified in a third party reviewed cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment.

6 Wiping and cleaning product carbon is reported per sheet while other systems are reported on a carbon per use basis