Sotupa

About Sotupa

In 1970, a group of pharmacists in Tunisia, led by Moncef Zouhir, founded Sotupa, the Tunisian Company of Bandages. The initial focus was clear: produce cotton and hydrophilic gas-based products for the local market. The company established itself as a leader in Tunisia, building a reputation on essential healthcare items. A pivotal moment arrived in 1995. Sotupa entered into a strategic partnership with the Swedish group SCA, a major European player in hygiene products, forming a joint venture called Sancella. This move was not about a quick exit, but about calculated expansion. The partnership infused new technology and know-how into the company, allowing it to diversify its product lines beyond simple bandages into a wider range of personal hygiene and cosmetic products. This strategy fueled its growth across North Africa and parts of West Africa. For decades, Sotupa continued its steady, private operation. Then, in July 2021, the story took its next logical step. The parent company of its long-time partner, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), acquired Sotupa, bringing the Tunisian manufacturer fully into the fold of the global corporation. The acquisition was the culmination of a long-standing relationship, a testament to a strategy of steady growth and deep partnership rather than venture-fueled sprints.