Kimberly-Clark is to stop manufacturing and selling its core Huggies nappy range in Europe.

The personal care giant said the decision to stop manufacturing and selling the core range, which does not include Pull-Ups, DryNites and Little Swimmers, in Europe (excluding Italy) was the result of the company failing to “build a sustainable profitable nappies business here, despite considerable efforts, time and investment”.

The decision would allow the company to “deliver better returns in the future and place additional resource and investment behind its strongest brands”, it said.

At this time, Kimberly-Clark is proposing the closure or sale of five manufacturing facilities in Europe, including its nappy mill in Barton, UK.

Kimberly-Clark estimated the proposals and related changes, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2013, would affect between 1,300 and 1,500 employees across Europe.

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