Absorbent Paper Market Report 2025

This Absorbent Paper market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.

The absorbent paper market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $156.85 billion in 2024 to $171.01 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to demand for personal hygiene products, advancements in manufacturing technology, a rise in the number of hospitals, an increased number of surgeries, and increased consumer awareness of health and hygiene.

The absorbent paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $238.28 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the growing population, rising disposable incomes, rising sanitation awareness, economic growth, and increasing environmental concerns. Major trends in the forecast period include a shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly products, advancements in biodegradable materials, technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and facility expansion processes.

The growing demand for hygiene products is expected to drive the expansion of the absorbent paper market. Hygiene products include items such as toothpaste, deodorants, laundry detergents, medical gloves and gowns, and hand hygiene products, all designed to promote cleanliness, prevent the spread of germs and illnesses, and maintain personal or environmental hygiene. The demand for these products is rising due to increased awareness of cleanliness and hygiene, as well as heightened concerns about disease prevention and public health. This has led consumers to prioritize the purchase and use of hygiene-related items. Absorbent paper is a key component in many hygiene products because of its ability to manage moisture, improve cleanliness, and offer convenience. For example, according to a report by the UK-based Department of Health and Social Care, from October 2022 to December 2022, the use of hand hygiene products rose from 0.38 million units to 0.56 million units, and glove usage increased from 482 million units to 525 million units. As a result, the rising demand for hygiene products is fueling the growth of the absorbent paper market.

Major companies in the absorbent paper market are innovating with products such as kitchen napkins. Also referred to as paper napkins or serviettes, kitchen napkins are disposable absorbent paper products used in kitchens and dining areas to maintain cleanliness during food preparation and consumption. For instance, in April 2024, the US-based Scott Paper Company introduced the Calorie Absorber Pro, a state-of-the-art paper kitchen towel equipped with advanced absorption technology. This innovative product effectively absorbs excess oil and grease from food, thereby reducing the calorie content of meals. Crafted from ultra-durable, high-absorbency paper, the Calorie Absorber Pro ensures reliability during heavy-duty kitchen tasks, boasting a unique texture that maximizes surface-area contact for efficient absorption.

In May 2024, APRIL Group, a Singapore-based paper products manufacturer, acquired Origami for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows APRIL Group to expand its market presence by broadening its product portfolio and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities. By integrating Origami's expertise, APRIL Group aims to strengthen its range of sustainable paper products and meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions in the global paper industry. Origami is an India-based company known for manufacturing absorbent paper products such as tissue paper.

Major companies operating in the absorbent paper market are International Paper Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Smurfit Kappa Group, Stora Enso Oyj, Metsä Group, Unicharm Corporation, Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A., Domtar Corporation, Resolute Forest Products Inc., Cascades Inc., Sofidel Group, Hokuetsu Corporation, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Glatfelter Corporation, Kruger Inc., Koehler Paper Group, Neenah Inc., Mondi Group, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Ahlstrom-Munksjo, Keryas Paper Industry, Dr. Papel, PG Paper Company Ltd., PRAK Group of Companies, Envoy Solution.

North America was the largest region in the absorbent paper market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the absorbent paper market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the absorbent paper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Absorbent paper, crafted specifically to soak up and hold liquids, comprises cellulose fibers arranged in a porous structure. Its primary function is to efficiently absorb various fluids such as water, oil, and similar substances, boasting traits of high absorbency, wet strength, and rapid drying.

In the absorbent paper market, key categories include cotton absorbent paper, pure wood pulp absorbent paper, and other variants. Cotton absorbent paper, primarily composed of cotton fibers renowned for their absorbent quality and softness, serves specialized purposes. Its applications span across diverse sectors such as packaging, personal care, home care, medical, food and beverage, among others, including products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and absorbent masks.

The absorbent paper market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides absorbent paper market statistics, including absorbent paper industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an absorbent paper market share, detailed absorbent paper market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the absorbent paper industry. This absorbent paper research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The absorbent paper market consists of sales of paper towels, surgical drapes, industrial absorbent pads, toilet paper, and food packaging liners. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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