The Swedish firm expects input costs to stabilise this year except for energy, which it expects to rise further. Rystedt said that without subsidies, energy prices would weigh even more on the group's earnings in the first quarter. Essity said it raised its prices by 13.3% on average in the fourth quarter, and would raise them further in 2023. In an interview with Reuters, Groth said Essity had lost "a few customers" due to the price increases. Essity's fourth quarter adjusted core earnings (EBITA) rose to 4.08 billion crowns, topping the 3.64 billion expected by analysts polled by Refinitiv Eikon.

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