Disposable Hygiene Products Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Wipes, Diapers, Feminine Hygiene Products [Sanitary Napkins, Tampons, and Panty Liners], and Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Pharmacy Stores, Online Stores, and Others), and Regional Forecasts, 2022-2029

The global disposable hygiene products market size was valued at USD 165.13 billion in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 173.57 billion in 2022 to USD 273.44 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with disposable hygiene products experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a growth of 5.8% in 2020 as compared to 2019. 

High-quality disposable personal care products such as diapers, toilet papers, and wipes are super absorbent, breathable, and daycare-friendly products. Nowadays, consumers prefer innovative formulation-based and value-added personal care products to fulfill their hygiene needs. Therefore, key companies operating in the market such as Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Essity AB, The Procter & Gamble Company, and others are offering premium-based and high-quality diapers & napkins to meet such products’ demand. For instance, in December 2020, DSG Japan Corporation launched Mirafeel, an innovative disposable pant diaper in the Japanese market.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Stockpiling of Personal Hygiene Products Amid COVID-19 Pandemic to Favor Market Growth

The growing trend of stockpiling personal care goods amid COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions is favoring product revenues globally. In addition, increasing hospitals, hotels & restaurants, and other away-from-home (AFH) consumers’ demand for sanitizing property-based flushable tissues and toilet papers to maintain bathroom spaces hygienic and infection-free is accelerating the product demand amid COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, rising adoption of online shopping of the daily essential goods is driving the market growth during the pandemic. For instance, in 2021, Essity AB, a global personal care products maker, reported 15.9% jump in online sales of its personal care goods and reached USD 1.88 billion.

However, the closure of baby care shops and supermarkets due to COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions is hampering the market growth globally. In addition, travel & tourism restrictions and the closure of hospitality settings lowered diaper and toilet paper products revenues during the pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

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Sustainable Disposable Hygiene Products to Create Newer Growth Prospects for the Market

Increasing demand for personal care items made of sustainable and biodegradable ingredients, such as bamboo, organic cotton, and sugarcane, will likely create newer market growth prospects. In addition, growing popularity of using plant-based, alcohol-free, and incontinence products among the adult population to avoid skin irritation issues due to the usage of chemical-based products is favoring the product revenues globally. Furthermore, increasing millennial consumers’ preference for buying premium-based, skin-friendly, and higher absorption property-based diapers and wipes is accelerating the disposable hygiene products market growth. For instance, the Procter & Gamble Company, a global manufacturer of premium disposable diapers and wet wipes reported 5% jump in the sales of its baby, feminine & family care business segment and reached USD 19.74 billion in the financial year 2022.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Aging Population to Augment Disposable Incontinence Products Demand

The aged population essentially use disposable diapers, pull-up pants, and pads to address their incontinence issues. Therefore, the growing aging population and increasing awareness regarding the availability of incontinence products among them are driving the market growth. As per the report ‘World Population Aging 2020,’ presented by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the global population aged 65 years & above reached 727 million, 9.3% of the total population in 2020. In addition, the increasing working women population’s preference for premium-based tampons, pads, and panty liners to fulfill their menstruation management needs is favoring the flushable feminine care products demand globally.

Nowadays, governmental healthcare agencies are introducing personal hygiene-related awareness campaigns to spread the importance of using hygiene products among people. These governmental initiatives will support the product demand globally. For instance, in 2021, the Government of U.K. in collaboration with Unilever, Plc., a global consumer goods maker, launched a global personal care campaign to spread the importance of hand washing and personal hygiene worldwide. These governmental initiatives will support the flushable gloves and toilet paper products demand globally. Furthermore, growing awareness regarding personal care and cleanliness is further driving the market growth globally.

Introduction of Innovative Disposable Hygiene Products by the Market Players to Support Market

Nowadays, key companies are regularly introducing higher absorption and skin-friendly properties-based disposable personal care items to strengthen their presence in the global personal care industry. These companies’ efforts will support in the future development of the market. For instance, in August 2021, Sani Professional, a PDI International’s subsidiary company, launched a new soft pack of 75 extra-large heavy-duty disposable wipes for global consumers. These degreasing multi-surface wipes enable commercial facilities, such as healthcare and food services, to offer a sanitized environment to their clients.

In addition, the rising number of salons & spas, hotels & restaurants, and hospitals prefer giving high-quality diapers, wipes, and feminine care products to their customers, which is accelerating the product consumption rate globally. For instance, in November 2022, Pullman Hotels and Resorts, a French multinational hotel company, expanded its presence by opening hotel facilities of 322 rooms at North Shenzhen, China.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Health Issues due to Scented Disposable Hygiene Products to Limit Product Demand

Nowadays, consumers suffer from skin rashes, cold, and headaches due to the usage of chemical-based and scented disposable hygiene products. This factor will likely lower the product demand globally. Besides, higher prices of premium-based diapers will likely limit their demand among middle-income population groups. Disposable personal care products are increasingly causing water clogging and blockage issues in the water drainage systems. As per the data presented by the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) Organization, in 2021, disposable single-use menstrual products including tampons, pads, and applicators generate 200,000 tons of waste per year in the U.K. This aspect will limit the future development of the disposable hygiene products industry.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Type Analysis

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Diapers Segment Holds Major Market Share due to its Significant Demand from Consumers

By product type, the market is classified into wipes, diapers, feminine hygiene products, and others.

The wipes segment is mainly driven by the increasing global population’s demand for personal care and home hygiene purpose flushable wipes. For instance, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a global wet wipes maker, reported 1.6% increase in its overall sales revenues and reached USD 19.4 billion in 2021. In addition, increasing household consumers' preference for biodegradable and compostable wipes made of natural fibers and herbal extracts such as aloe vera, mint, rose water, lemon, and others will offer newer segmental growth opportunities.

The diapers segment holds a major disposable hygiene products market share due to the significant middle and higher-income parental populations' demand for soft and comfortable diapers for their babies. In addition, the rising prevalence of incontinence among the aged population and growing awareness regarding the usage of flushable diapers among them will likely favor the diapers' segmental growth. According to the data presented by the Continence Foundation of Australia, as of March 2020, 10% of the Australian men and 38% of the Australian women are suffering from urinary incontinence problems. 

The feminine hygiene products segment is mainly driven by the increasing female workforce and better menstrual management literacy among them. Furthermore, the growing popularity of deodorizing property-based menstrual hygiene products among women and their increasing focus on avoiding bad smells will likely drive segmental growth. Besides, there is shifting consumer preferences toward buying flushable napkins made of biodegradable materials such as corn starch, banana fiber, and water hyacinth. Growing awareness regarding sustainable personal care products is accelerating the growth of the sanitary napkins segment.

Nowadays, menstruation disposable hygiene products makers are increasing tampon product prices to support their product sales. In addition, they focus on enhancing the production facilities of tampons to improve their product supply rate in the global markets. These aspects will likely support the segmental growth for tampons. For instance, in 2021, Top The Organic Project, a tampon manufacturer, reported 300% rise in the cost of supplying its tampon products in the U.S. Hence, to counter the increasing operational costs, the company invested USD 2 million to uplift its organic tampons production capacity and increase its distribution network in the U.S. Rising women consumers' demand for lightweight panty liners of higher absorbent cushion design is mainly driving the panty liners' segmental growth.

Others segment includes various products such as disposable razor blades, gloves, and toilet paper. Rising consumer demand for travel-friendly non-refillable razor blades for personal grooming purposes is mainly driving the others segmental growth.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Supermarket & Hypermarket Segment Dominated the Market due to Convenience in Comparing & Buying Products

By distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, pharmacy stores, online stores, and others.

Consumers can better purchase bulk volumes of a variety of branded personal care products, including diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products under a single roof from supermarket & hypermarket shops. This aspect primarily results in supermarkets & hypermarkets holding a major market share. Furthermore, an increasing number of hospitals and hotels prefer ordering bulk volumes of wipes, diapers, and tampons from pharmacy stores are accelerating the pharmacy stores' segmental growth.

Besides, rising adoption of online shopping for personal hygiene and grooming products among worldwide consumers is driving online segmental growth. Others segment includes various distribution channels such as convenience stores, brick & mortar shops, and direct selling channels. The increasing demand from the middle-income population for cost-effective tampons and wipes mainly drives the product demand from such stores, thereby supporting the segmental growth for others.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The global market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa based on region.

The Asia Pacific market size reached USD 51.16 billion in 2021. Asia Pacific holds the largest share of the global market due to the demand from the Chinese and South East Asian population for personal care products such as diapers, wipes, toilet paper, and others. In addition, growing awareness regarding hygiene & cleanliness and increasing purchasing power are the factors driving the market growth in the region. For instance, Hengan International Group Company Limited, a Chinese paper products maker, reported tissue paper sales value of USD 727.00 million in the first half of 2021.

The North America market is mainly driven by countries such as the U.S. along with Canadian population demand for personal care products such as wipes, diapers, razors, blades, and others for their regular hygiene needs. According to the data presented by the U.S. Census Bureau, a U.S. federal governmental agency, in September 2021, health and personal care stores' sales in the U.S. reached USD 4.3 million, which was increased by 0.5% over August 2021. 

The Europe market is mainly driven by the rising demand for flushable tissue paper products such as wipes, toilet papers, sanitary napkins, tampons, diapers, and menstrual management products among various away-from-home consumers such as hospitals, hotels & restaurants, and schools. Furthermore, increasing number of hospital & hotel establishments with growing hotel stays and tourist arrivals will likely favor the product consumption rate in the region. As per the data presented by the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), a Spanish statistical organization, in September 2022, overnight stays in Spanish hotel establishments increased by 39.9% compared to September 2021.  

The South America market is mainly driven by the rising Brazilian and Argentine aged population's demand for adult incontinence products such as panty liners, diapers, and pads.

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The Middle East & Africa market is mainly driven by the growing awareness of the benefits of personal care products among middle-income and higher-income groups.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Product Innovation and Business Expansion are Key Strategies Fueling Market Growth

Key players offer higher absorption property-based, premium diapers, and wipes to build their customer base. In addition, they focus on strengthening the manufacturing capacity and supply chain efficiency of their personal hygiene products to increase their sales revenues from such products. For instance, as of 2022, Biogaurd, a U.K.-based manufacturer of disinfectant solutions, disposable sanitizing wipes, cleansers, and gels expanded the retail distribution network of its products portfolio in the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman to strengthen its business in the Middle East region.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• The Procter & Gamble Company (U.S.)


• Kimberly-Clark Corporation (U.S.)


• Unicharm Corporation (Japan)


• Essity AB (Sweden)


• Hengan International Group Company Limited (China)


• Ontex BV (Belgium)


• DPL (Israel)


• Fujian Time and Tianhe Industrial Co., Ltd. (China)


• The Edgewell Personal Care Company (U.S.)


• Dispowear Sterite Company (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2022: Eco Green Living, a U.K.-based sustainable personal care products maker, launched a range of biodegradable bamboo material-based flushable baby nappies in the U.K.


• July 2022: Essity AB, a Sweden-based personal care and disposable hygiene products maker acquired Modibodi, an Australian leakage-proof apparel maker, to build its presence in the disposable intimate hygiene products industry.


• October 2021: Ecolab Inc., an American hygiene and infection prevention solutions provider, expanded its manufacturing base by acquiring National Wiper Alliance company’s 500,000 sq. ft. disposable disinfectant wipe manufacturing facility at North Carolina, U.S.


• May 2021: The Procter & Gamble Company launched ‘Pampers Pure Protection Hybrid Diapers,’ a range of premium fabric-based diapers that can be disposed-off or reused by the babies. These products are equipped with highly absorbent materials and enhanced leakage protection features.    


• September 2019: Unicharm Corporation, a Japanese consumer goods maker launched Mamypoko Super Premium Organic, a range of super-premium disposable diapers in Thailand.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Disposable Hygiene Products Market

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The research report analyzes the market in-depth and highlights crucial aspects such as prominent companies, product types, and distribution channel areas. Besides this, the report provides insights into the market trends, highlights significant industry developments, and the overall market outlook. In addition to the aspects mentioned earlier, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market's growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation