Fluff Pulp Market Faces Year of Transition

The world fluff pulp industry and its end-users in hygiene and nonwoven markets are facing a pivotal year—according to the latest dedicated analysis from Smithers. For the short term, in first quarter 2022, fluff pulp prices have hit record levels. Even as these subside, the market will face capacity challenges, realize the need to adjust to changes in hygiene product designs and look to capitalize on the potential of one of the most sustainable inputs for nonwovens.

Volume, Value and Pricing

Exclusive data from the new Smithers Study—The Future of Fluff Pulp to 2027—show that in 2022 world demand will reach 6.9 million air dried tons with a value of $8.3 billion. This is up from 5.8 million air dried tons valued at $4.5 billion in 2017; with much of the value growth accounted for unprecedentedly high per ton prices now being paid. List prices in Q1 2022, are as high as $2000 per air dried metric ton—two to four times their historic average.

Smithers’ analysis reveals that as the post-Covid recover