Price Hanna Consultants has published a new report on the world outlook for hygiene absorbent products and the key raw materials of nonwovens, fluff pulp, airlaid cores, superabsorbents and hygiene films. The last global hygiene report from the firm was released in February 2011.

This updated study details the prospects for absorbent products in the 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 2011 and 2012 and projections for 2017 for 45 individual countries and all geographic regions. The 2011 global and regional market share positions and volumes of the leading absorbent products competitors are estimated. The study includes 2011 and 2012 estimates and 2017 forecasts of the consumption of 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 493 billion units in 2012. 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 South and Central America, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa 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 211 page report is available now to subscribers. To obtain a detailed prospectus and subscription order form for this study, contact Price Hanna Consultants by phone, 610-793-1500; or e-mail, [email protected].