Kings Research announces its latest industry report on the “Global Absorbent Paper Market: Size, Share, Trends, and Forecast (2024–2031),” covering an in-depth analysis of the industry. For this, the report has based its projections on the major growth drivers, market dynamics, and future outlook; for instance, how sustainability implications and the expansion of healthcare deliveries are driving global demand for absorbent paper products.
The global absorbent paper market was valued at USD 134.09 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 140.51 billion in 2024 and then reach USD 204.31 billion by 2031. This will be a growth of 5.49% from 2024 to 2031.
The rising adoption of biodegradable and recyclable materials strongly supports the absorbent paper market's growth. Every year, the world produces more than 400 million tons of plastic waste, only 10% of which falls under the recycled category, says The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (Source: https://www.un.org/). These statistics point toward a rising need to ease the advent of sustainable solutions primarily in health, hygiene, and packaging sectors.
One such solution is absorbent paper, which is specifically designed to retain moisture and oil in a number of end-use industries. Its primary applications include food and beverage packaging and preservation, disposable medical equipment, surgical wound dressing, and others. Due to its high sustainability quotient, absorbent paper has replaced plastics and other non-sustainable materials in various businesses, shifting toward eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable products.
Trends like these are slowly becoming pivotal drivers in various industries. These industries are rapidly recognizing the long-term environmental as well as monetary impact of sustainable solutions such as absorbent paper.
A few significant growth drivers are highlighted by Kings Research:
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Packaging Options
To cut down on single-use plastics, governments everywhere are tightening regulations. For food and FMCG packaging, absorbent paper provides a more environmentally friendly option. Europe alone generates over 32 million tons of plastic waste annually (Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en). Eco-friendly paper-based alternatives might take the place of a lot of this.
- Dependency on Disposable Items in the Healthcare Sector
The World Health Organization reports that on average, seven out of 100 patients run the risk of contracting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In underserved nations, this ratio is found to be 15 out of 100. (Source: https://www.who.int/). Therefore, the reliance on disposable medical solutions, such as surgical drapes, wound dressings, and infection-control products, has gained new prominence. Effective disposables are showing high demand as hospitals place a greater emphasis on safety and hygiene.
- An Increase in the Use of Personal and Household Care Products
This industry is expanding because of products like tissue paper, napkins, and feminine hygiene products. By 2030, there will be 5.5 billion middle-class people worldwide (Source: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/). Spending more on hygiene items that primarily use absorbent paper is the result of this.
For decision-makers in industries like packaging, healthcare, and consumer goods, the absorbent paper market offers big opportunities.
- Efficiency Gains: Using absorbent paper improves product safety. It also lowers the risk of contamination in packaging and medical settings.
- Cost Savings: Recyclable paper helps cut long-term waste management costs.
- Scalability & Agility: These products can be used in many sectors. From hospitals to retail packaging, they fit different needs easily.
- Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Absorbent paper supports government sustainability rules. It also reduces regulatory risks linked to plastic use.
- Innovation & Brand Reputation: Eco-friendly paper products boost brand value. They appeal to consumers who care about the environment.
Regional Insights
- North America: Healthcare and household sectors drive strong demand. The U.S. is one of the top per capita consumers of tissue and hygiene products.
- Asia-Pacific: This is the fastest-growing region. Growth comes from rising urbanization, higher disposable incomes, and expanding healthcare infrastructure in countries like China and India.
Competitive Landscape
With a highly fragmented landscape, the absorbent paper market witnesses many leading companies. These players are prioritizing innovation, along with sustainability and strategic partnerships. Key players include Smurfit Kappa, International Paper, UPM Global, Ahlstrom, Georgia-Pacific, Santa Cruz Animal Health, KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION, Fortune Paper Mills LLP, Domtar Corporation, Shitla Papers Pvt Ltd, WestRock Company, Cascades Tissue Group, SOFIDEL, GURGAON PAPER MILLS LTD, and Twin Rivers Paper Company. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting closed-loop systems to minimize production waste and investing in nanocellulose-based absorbent papers that offer superior performance.
To explore detailed insights into the absorbent paper market, including competitive analysis, segmentation, and regional outlook, access the full report here: https://www.kingsresearch.com/absorbent-paper-market-1501
About Kings Research
Kings Research is a leading global market research and consulting firm, providing actionable insights and data-driven strategies to help businesses navigate evolving markets. With a commitment to accuracy, innovation, and client success, Kings Research delivers reports that empower organizations to make informed decisions and capture growth opportunities.
Data cited in this report are sourced from Kings Research's proprietary analysis and validated through credible sources, including:
- European Environment Agency (EEA)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP
- World Bank