• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Applications
    • Technology
    • Market
    • Other
    • Top 40
    • Buyers Guide
    • Hygiene Directory
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Applications
  • Technology
  • Market
  • Other
  • Top 40
  • Buyers Guide
  • Hygiene Directory
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    Southeast Asia Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    eBook
    Top Features
    Nonwoven Battery Separators Gain Ground

    Medical Nonwovens Advance

    Fibers Report

    Household Wipes Market

    Sustainable Hygiene Products Gain Ground
    Company Cameo
    Financial News
    Machinery Equipment
    New Products
    Nonwovens News
    Patent Review
    People in the News
    Supplier News
    Top News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Ontex Expands U.S. Training Pant and Diaper Pant Sizes

    Spunweb India Makes Investment

    Knix Partners with Actor Kristen Bell

    Cinte Techtextil China Announces Program

    Techtextil India Launches ReCycle Zone
    Nonwovens Insights
    Online Exclusives
    Adult Incontinence
    Absorbent Core
    Antimicrobials
    Apparel
    Automotive and Transportation
    Face Masks
    Chemicals / Adhesives
    Construction
    Contract Services
    Diaper, Baby
    Electronics
    Feminine Hygiene
    Fibers
    Filtration
    Flame Retardance
    Geotextile / Agrotextile
    Home Products
    Hygiene Film/Components
    Industrial / Institutional
    Inspection / Quality Control
    Machinery and Equipment
    Medical
    Wipes

    Ontex Expands U.S. Training Pant and Diaper Pant Sizes

    Knix Partners with Actor Kristen Bell

    World of Wipes Held in Columbus

    Royal Premium Diapers Supports Diaper Bank

    RedDrop Rebrands as Scarlet
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunbond/Spunmelt
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Spunweb India Makes Investment

    Sandler Acquires Stake in Wetlaid Producer

    Alma Installs Needling Line

    SGN Offers Next Generation Nonwoven Material

    Softbond, A.Celli Collaborate on Spunbond Line
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Cinte Techtextil China Announces Program

    Techtextil India Launches ReCycle Zone

    Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

    A Look At Megasoft—Asia's Vertically Integrated Hygiene Producer

    CIDPEX Middle East to be Held in September
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Flushability
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    Spunweb India Makes Investment

    Cinte Techtextil China Announces Program

    Techtextil India Launches ReCycle Zone

    Kenvue Reportedly Ending Production in Argentina

    Sandler Acquires Stake in Wetlaid Producer
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.

    Dukane Center of Excellence for Personal Care, Nonwovens and Packaging

    Valco Melton

    Alliance Machine and Engraving

    ELSNER
    Brands
    Brand Owners
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • Southeast Asia Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Add Your Company
    • Applications
      • Absorbent Core
      • Adult Incontinence
      • Antimicrobials
      • Apparel
      • Automotive and Transportation
      • Chemicals / Adhesives
      • Construction
      • Contract Services
      • Diaper, Baby
      • Electronics
      • Feminine Hygiene
      • Fibers
      • Filtration
      • Flame Retardance
      • Geotextile / Agrotextile
      • Home Products
      • Hygiene Film/Components
      • Industrial / Institutional
      • Inspection / Quality Control
      • Machinery and Equipment
      • Medical
      • Wipes
      • Face Masks
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
      • Spunbond/Spunmelt
    • Market
      • China
      • Eastern Europe/Russia
      • India
      • Middle East/North Africa
      • North America
      • Pacific Rim
      • South/Central America
      • Turkey
      • Western Europe
    • Other
      • Associations
      • Contracts / Awards
      • Education
      • Facilities / Capacity
      • Green / Sustainability
      • Legal / Regulatory
      • Market Data
      • Mergers and Acquisitions
      • Product Improvement / Innovation
      • R&D/Basic Research
      • Shows / Events
      • Flushability
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • eBook
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    Hygiene Goods Continue to Drive Expansion in Fluff Pulp

    Adult incontinence, fem care and diapers account for 89.7% of global consumption

    John Nelson, Editor, Smithers06.05.25
    Rising demand for hygiene goods—adult incontinence wear, diapers and feminine hygiene pads—is underpinning ongoing profitability in, and reorganization of, fluff pulp supply chains.
    These accounted for 89.7% of global consumption, which reached 7.3 million air-dried tons in 2024, according to exclusive data from the Smithers market report – The Future of Fluff Pulp to 2029. This yielded sales of $9.7 billion in 2024.

    Fluff pulp revenues have risen since 2020 at a 11.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Prices peaked in 2022 at $2200 per air dried ton before falling back to around $1260 per air-dried ton in 2024. This is attributable to structural problems in global production capacity. Mill owners are taking some steps to rectify these, but new assets will take time to come online; and geopolitical factors, including a U.S.-China trade war, adds extra uncertainty in the short term.

    Demand for diapers and feminine hygiene goods is growing, in developing economies as disposable incomes improve. Birth rates in developed economies remain stable, but there is an ongoing expansion in the elderly population, who are likely to develop bladder or other incontinence problems as they age. These consumers are increasingly turning to adult incontinence wear as a solution, allowing them to continue active, normal lifestyles.

    This has helped make adult incontinence products the leading user of fluff pulp—consuming a projected 2.4 million air-dried tons in 2024. Hygiene companies are expanding their ranges of adult pads, underwear and underpads for both institutional and retail channels. The segment is far from saturated, and will continue to be the most lucrative application for fluff pulp across the next five years.

    Fluff pulp production is highly dependent on certain species of pine trees. These grow in temperate regions, meaning that while fluff pulp demand is global, production is not. Only three regions produce fluff pulp. Capacity is concentrated in North America, which is the main export market; South America is increasing output; and Europe has a smaller capacity, mainly for domestic consumption. In contrast, Asia accounts for 41.4% of global demand, but has practically no fluff pulp production. And the only mill manufacturing fluff pulp in Asia, operated by Daio in Japan, needs to import the wood from across the Pacific.

    In North America, three companies—Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, and Paper Excellence-Domtar—control 77.4% of all contemporary fluff pulp output. In the first half of the decade they closed several important fluff pulp mills in the U.S., reducing supply and pushing prices up. Only limited expansions are planned for the region. So despite projects like Georgia-Pacific’s $80 million expansion of capacity at its Alabama River mill, U.S. fluff pulp production is forecast to be largely static over the next five years at around 6.5 million air-dried tons per annum.

    One defining characteristic of the evolving fluff pulp market is the importance of swing mills – production assets that can switch production between fluff and other pulps. The market is increasingly dependent on this capacity: Smithers data show that in 2024, 3.4 million tons of such swing potential was used for fluff pulp. With few extra fluff pulp mills set to come on stream in the next five years, and further closures of older assets forecast, there will be even greater demand for swing mills. This could lead to more price volatility, particularly if demand for other pulp grades changes.

    Most new fluff pulp capacity will be added in South America. The region has already increased its share of global supply from 6.7% in 2019 to 11.7% in 2024, producing 915,000 air dried tons last year. Multiple investments have been announced. Klabin will ultimately add an extra 500,000-600,000 tons of fluff pulp capacity via its $3 billion dollar expansion of assets in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state. This follows Suzano’s commitment in late 2023 to expand its output by 340,000 air-dried tons in the same country. And Arauco will continue to raise output at its Alto Parana mill in Paraguay.

    These and other investments will raise South America’s fluff pulp capacity to 1.46 million air-dried tons in 2029.

    The shifting dynamics in supply and demand for fluff pulp globally are analyzed in The Future of Fluff Pulp to 2029 from Smithers; including the impact of projected capacity expansions, leading market drivers, and strategic profiles of all major fluff pulp producers.
    Related Searches
    • male incontinence
    • fibers
    • plants/facilities
    • cargo
      Loading, Please Wait..
      Breaking News
      • Ontex Expands U.S. Training Pant and Diaper Pant Sizes
      • Spunweb India Makes Investment
      • Knix Partners with Actor Kristen Bell
      • Cinte Techtextil China Announces Program
      • Techtextil India Launches ReCycle Zone
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      July 2025

      • The 56th Annual International Buyers’ Guide
      • View More >



      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Gattefossé Opens New Facilities in Mumbai, India
      TSI Group Unveils myHMB + Vitamin D Logo
      Indena to Showcase Metabolic, Brain Health Solutions at In-Vitality 2024

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      ChemQuest Appoints Three New Directors
      Chemetall Site in China Receives Recognition from Commitment to Sustainability
      RPM to Announce Fiscal 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results on July 24, 2025

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      StimLabs's Umbilical Cord-Derived Wound Care Product Released in U.S.
      New Medical-Grade Bio-Based PVC Compounds Introduced
      Croívalve Reports 1st Tricuspid Coaptation Valve Implant in U.S. Feasibility Study

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Neurocrine Bioscience’s CRENESSITY Becomes Commercially Available in the U.S.
      Roche's Parkinson's Disease Drug Misses Primary Endpoint
      PTC Therapeutics Submits Vantiquinone NDA to FDA

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Weekly Recap: Coty Sells SKKN, Henkel Recall, Awards, & More
      Rare Beauty to Host Pop-Up Event with Sephora UK
      Cloud Haircare Expands to Walmart Stores Nationwide

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Cosmetify Names Nikkie de Jager the World’s Most Powerful Beauty Influencer
      Big Lips in the Small Wonder
      L’Oréal’s Bioprinted Skin & Dove’s Deodorant Launch

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      BCF Sponsors Parliamentary Event to Engage with Policymakers
      Weekly Recap: DIC Corporation, BASF, Toyo Printing Inks Top This Week’s Stories
      INX International Launches Innova Plus NCF Nitrocellulose-Free Inks

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Mexico's Flexopolis adds second Bobst flexo press
      Paramount Labels installs Rotatek Brava 450
      Esko teams with Bobst for smartGRAVURE System

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Ontex Expands U.S. Training Pant and Diaper Pant Sizes
      Spunweb India Makes Investment
      Knix Partners with Actor Kristen Bell

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      David Thordarson Takes Charge of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
      UPM Biomedicals Launches FibGel Injectable Nanocellulose Hydrogel for Medical Devices
      ONWARD Medical Attracts €50 Million in Capital

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Weekly Recap: DuPont, SEMI, Sun Chemical Top This Week’s Stories
      ORNL’s 3D-Printed Metal Molds Poised to Accelerate US Auto Manufacturing
      SRI, NSIC are Catalyzing Corporate Innovation in Japan

      Copyright © 2025 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login