Apr 20, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. SCA's net sales for the 1Q 2012, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 4% compared with the same period a year ago. The increase is mainly attributable to favourable volume growth in all business areas. The sales increase remained high in emerging markets, where Personal Care and Tissue increased sales with 23% and 14%, respectively, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Operating profit excluding items affecting comparability rose 4% (7% excluding divestments) to SEK 1,834 million. Earnings per share in the 1Q amounted to SEK 1.73. Cash flow from current operations was SEK 1,301 million. ”The hygiene operations are performing well, with continued growth, higher market shares and significantly improved earnings compared to the previous year,” Jan Johansson, CEO of SCA, says. ”Forest Products was negatively affected by higher raw material and energy costs coupled with a weak market for publication papers, solid-wood products and kraftliner. We also experienced the usual seasonal effect during the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter. In addition, operations in Australia/New Zealand were deconsolidated from the start of the year.” SCA is a global hygiene and paper company that develops and produces personal care products, tissue, publication papers, solid-wood products and packaging solutions.