U.S.-based Price Hanna Consultants published a report this month on the world outlook for hygiene absorbent products and the key raw materials of nonwovens, fluff pulp, airlaid cores, superabsorbents and hygiene films. For many years, Pricie Hanna has prepared in-depth reports analyzing the markets for absorbent products in key countries/regions throughout the world and the important materials used in them. The company’s last global hygiene report was released in February 2013. 
 
This updated study details the prospects for absorbent products in the key global markets of North America, Western Europe, the Pacific Rim, Central and South America, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, China, India, Africa and the rest of Central Asia. The report contains unit volume market estimates for 2013 and 2014 and projections for 2019 for 46 individual countries and all geographic regions. The 2013 global and regional market share positions and volumes of the leading absorbent products competitors are estimated. The study includes 2013 and 2014 estimates and 2019 forecasts of the consumption of key raw materials used in absorbent products (cover stock, superabsorbents, fluff pulp, airlaid cores and hygiene film) by product category and region.
 
The global consumption of hygiene absorbent products (disposable diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products) grew to over 540 billion units in 2014. Due to rapid market penetration and growth in the last several years, China is now the largest volume market for hygiene absorbent products. Volume in the emerging markets collectively is substantially larger than the combined markets for these products in North America, Western Europe and Japan. Growth rates for the next five years in the undeveloped and developing markets of Asia, South and Central America, and Eastern Europe will continue to exceed the global average growth of this industry. These regions provide significant market penetration and volume growth opportunities for absorbent product market participants and their suppliers. The study details the five-year market outlooks in each major country market and geographic region.  Demographic factors, such as declining birth rates and increases in elderly populations, are assessed in the projections of the potential market sizes for hygiene absorbent products. 
 
This 240-page report is immediately available to subscribers. To obtain a detailed prospectus and subscription order form for this study, please contact Michele Scannapieco at Price Hanna Consultants, 610-793-1500 or mscannapieco@pricehanna.com.