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Wipes Makers Ditch Plastics

Legislative demands and changing consumer preferences have created a need for alternative raw materials in many wipes markets

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Karen McIntyre, Editor09.01.21

The consumer wipes market is booming. From hand washing to surface disinfecting to bathroom hygiene, consumers are depending more on wipes than ever before and manufacturers are taking note.

According to Smithers, the market for nonwoven wipes consumed 1.4 million tons of nonwovens in 2020 while its market value reached $19.6 billion. From 2015-2020 annual growth was reported at 7.9%. This figure rose significantly, however, amidst heightened demand for wipes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Even after demand peaked during the second quarter of 2020, sales in some categories continue to be more than 20% higher than they were pre-pandemic.

This growth is being driven by more consumers than ever before using wipes. According to recent surveys, 30% more people use wipes regularly than did in 2008. Additionally, 44% more people are using surface disinfectant wipes than they were at the start of the Covid pandemic and this behavior is expected to continue.

This growth has been met with investment from most major wipes manufacturers and their suppliers looking to capitalize on this growth. The industry’s two largest wipes converters,