Kimberly-Clark has requested European Union permission for its proposed $40 billion takeover of Kenvue, moving the transaction into another stage of regulatory review. The deal, first announced in November 2025, would combine Kimberly-Clark with consumer-health brands including Tylenol, Listerine, Aveeno, and Neutrogena, creating a company with roughly $32 billion in annual revenue and projected annual cost savings of $2.1 billion. The EU filing is a request for clearance, not an approval, and does not indicate when a decision will come or whether conditions may be imposed. Kimberly-Clark originally expected the deal to close in the second half of 2026, but that remains a forecast. The company faces execution risks from integrating two large businesses and delivering the projected savings, which represent about 6.6% of the combined revenue.
Kimberly-Clark CorporationEU approval request is a regulatory step, outcome uncertain.
Kenvue Inc.EU approval request is a regulatory step, outcome uncertain.
