US$640m PPE deal: Ansell snaps up Kimberly-Clark’s Personal Protective Equipment business

PPE and safety equipment expert Ansell has agreed to acquire Kimberly-Clark’s Personal Protective Equipment business (KCPPE) for US$640m.

KCPPE is a leading global personal protective equipment business, designing, marketing and selling innovative and differentiated safety products including gloves, protective apparel and safety eyewear.

Managing Director and CEO of Ansell, Neil Salmon told Cleanroom Technology he is excited to expand the cGMP compliance-focused cleanroom products.

"We are equally excited by the opportunity to expand our customer on-site value-added services to include APEX cleanroom protocol training and RightCycle (trademarked) end-of-life glove & garment recycling services," Salmon added. "These training and sustainable solution services complement our globally recognised Ansell Guardian (registered trademark) Safety Services; expanding on-site risk assessments focused on protecting people (PPE), products (cGMP compliance), and our planet.”

The acquisition is expected to complete by September 2024, subject to satisfaction customary closing conditions.

Ansell will enter a transitional services agreement with Kimberly-Clark

Neil Salmon said: “For many years, we have assessed a combination with KCPPE as one of our most attractive acquisition opportunities and I’m delighted that we have now reached agreement with Kimberly-Clark that the optimal path forward for this business is under Ansell ownership."

With this acquisition, Salmon said that the company is enhancing its sales of specialist products designed for cleanroom applications and recorded today under the Life Sciences SBU, while also widening its portfolio of products sold into scientific verticals.

These include manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and semi-conductors, and laboratories for academic and industrial research.

For many years, we have assessed a combination with KCPPE

"The Kimtech (trademarked) and KleenGuard (trademarked) brands we are acquiring and the experienced KCPPE business team behind them have strong reputations for quality and innovation built over many years of industry leadership," Salmon explained.

"These are similar qualities to Ansell, however KCPPE has particular areas of strength across product portfolio, geographic position and sustainability differentiation that will meaningfully enhance Ansell’s overall position in the marketplace and customer differentiation," he added.

"Our existing footprint, in addition to our global organisation and supply chain, creates the opportunity to generate significant synergy value from the acquisition while also enhancing our combined organic growth potential and we are excited about the benefits this will create for Ansell’s customers and shareholders,” Salmon said.

KCPPE products are marketed and sold under two leading brands, Kimtech and KleenGuard.

Kimtech branded products, principally gloves and protective apparel, are sold into the attractive global scientific market, where KCPPE is a trusted supplier in the fast-growing cleanroom sub-segment, supported by a technical sales force with strong end user relationships.

KleenGuard branded products, including chemical protective clothing and safety eyewear, are sold into a variety of Industrial end markets. KCPPE’s customer base is global, with the majority of sales in North America.

In addition to its portfolio of differentiated products, KCPPE offers value-enhancing services to its customers, including The RightCycle Program PPE end-of-life recycling service which helps customers further their sustainability goals.

Ansell will enter a transitional services agreement with Kimberly-Clark, which includes support in transitioning customers, suppliers and employees to Ansell as well as providing various business support services for a period of up to 12 months.