Dallas -- Kimberly-Clark Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Linostar, a leading Italian-based diaper manufacturer that produces and markets Lines, Italy's second largest diaper brand. Linostar is currently owned by the Bolton Group (Amsterdam), which manufactures, markets and distributes a wide range of branded consumer goods. The closing of the transaction is expected shortly and details of the purchase were not disclosed.

This purchase comes several months after Kimberly-Clark entered the Italian personal care market with its launch of a range of child care products, including Pull-Ups training pants, DryNites youth pants and Little Swimmers swim pants, in June 2000.