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We're striving to make a better mark – for you, and for the planet.

Since 2008 we’ve been taking steps through our TENA Protects Program to make every TENA product more sustainable. Converting to 100% renewable electricity, starting with our European production sites. Reducing our products' carbon footprint by 50 % by 2030. Step by step, to leave a better mark on the planet.

TENA Discreet, TENA Silhouette Noir and TENA Proskin Comfort packs
An icon of a footprint

Each new launch is a step in the right direction.

We're on a mission to reduce the environmental impact of our products and services, while also improving the life quality of millions of people worldwide. And with each new initiative we're innovating smarter designs, finding superior materials, developing new solutions to reduce waste, and making our energy use cleaner and more efficient. Here are just a few of the launches that have improved our carbon footprint in the last year.

TENA Solutions

Partnering with care homes for improved care quality, and 31% less waste.

Nurse and older woman taking a walk outside

TENA Identifi

New technology for evidence-based care, with 56 kg less waste per year.

Close up on a pair of TENA Identifi pants

TENA Products

By reducing the weight of TENA products, we're also reducing waste.

Close up of a scale

TENA pads and liners

Just as secure as ever, but now thinner – with a 33% lower carbon footprint in Europe since 2008.

Close up of woman holding a black thin TENA pad

TENA Pants

With better materials and smarter designs, we've cut the carbon footprint by 33% in Europe since 2008.

Footprints in sand

Incontinence care

We've reduced packaging for TENA products in Europe by 16% on average since 2008.

Close up of a TENA pad in it's opened packaging
An icon of a waste cycle

Life Cycle Assessments – our key to a smaller carbon footprint 

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies the potential environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle. By integrating LCAs into our innovation work, we can identify ways to reduce the environmental impact of our products, and improve our carbon footprint. Thanks to insights gained from our LCA work, we've reduced the carbon footprint of our products by 11-33% since 2008, and we're on track to meet or exceed our goal of 50% by 2030.

How can we reduce our carbon footprint in each stage of the product life cycle?

The life cycle of a TENA product has five stages: raw materials, manufacturing, transports, use, and after-use management. Apart from use, all these stages contribute a percentage to the product's carbon footprint. Here's a look at what we can do, and are doing, to lower emissions in each stage. 

Raw materials: responsible sourcing

  • Select raw materials with the lowest environmental impact 
  • Renewable fresh wood-based pulp
  • Renewable plant-based plastics 
  • Recycled materials + current materials with best environmental profile

Manufacturing: more resource-efficient production

  • Reduce waste 
  • Increase renewable electricity 

Transports: improve logistics

  • Optimize packaging and load to reduce distribution impact 
  • Look for transports with lower environmental impact 

After-use management: increase circularity

  • Products that end up in incineration can create energy  
  • Explore recycling services
  •  

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A new level of transparency

As of 2017, the carbon footprint of most TENA products can be found at the EPD International website, in the form of Environmental Product Declarations. For a better picture of what goes into our products in general, here's a breakdown of the main elements, and their ingredients.
An X-ray view of an incontinence pad, showing a detail of the fibers in the pad's absorbent core

Product core

The core is the middle of the product where urine is absorbed and stored. It consists of three parts.
 
Surface material
Also known as the top sheet, this part of the product keeps your skin dry and comfortable by absorbing the liquid. It is composed of a fibre material made of polypropylene, polyethylene polyester, and viscose.
 
Acquisition Layer
This layer transports liquid away from skin, to the absorbent core of the product where it is stored. Materials consist of wood or polyester fibre.
 
Absorbent Core
This is the innermost layer, consisting of paper pulp, sometimes in combination with superabsorbents and/or other paper-based materials. This layer traps and stores the urine, keeping the wearer dry.

Product chassis

This is the shell of the product, designed to hold the core together and create a proper fit for the wearer. Two parts make up the chassis.
 
Back sheet
A water-resistant outer layer made of polyethylene, or sometimes a fibre material. Its purpose is to prevent liquids from leaking through onto the wearer's clothing.
 
Fit and Comfort Features
Fastening materials and elastic materials made of polymers keep the product in place.  

Additional materials

Small amounts of adhesives are used in both the core and the chassis, and some products feature prints or scents.
 
Adhesive
Consists of various polymers and synthetic resins
 
Fragrance
Consists of perfume
 
Print
Printing is done using non-toxic ink

Packaging

Release paper
This protects the adhesive part of the product prior to use, and is made of silicone-coated paper. 
 
Single pack 
Some products come wrapped in a polyethylene film, which is sometimes silicone-coated. Single packs protect the product so that you can carry it around without it getting dirty.
 
External product packaging
Consisting of a polyethylene bag or box, it protects the product. This is the package you see on the shelf in stores. 

Glossary

Renewable paper pulp
Pulp made of wood fibre from responsibly managed forests. The pulp is used in our pads and panty liners.
 
Fibre material (non-woven)
A thin, textile-like material. The term is used in the textile industry for materials that are neither woven nor knitted, such as felt.
Polymers 
Large-chain molecules that can be either natural or synthetic. For instance, plastic as well as your DNA consist of polymers.
 
Polypropene/polyethylene/polyester
Some of the world's most common plastic types. Used in a wide range of everyday products, from underwear to blankets.
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) 
Used for its moisture-retaining ability. Commonly used in pads, diapers and compresses.
 
Synthetic resin
Viscous liquids that harden quickly, making them ideal for binding together materials.