Airlaid Paper Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Latex-bonded Airlaid Paper,Thermal-bonded Airlaid Paper,Multi-bonded Airlaid Paper), By Application (Feminine Hygiene,Consumer Wipes,Adult Incontinence,Industrial Wipes,Tabletop,Food Pads,Other), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Airlaid Paper Market Overview

The Airlaid Paper Market size was valued at USD 1140.19 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1401.75 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.3% from 2025 to 2033.

The global airlaid paper market witnessed a significant volume increase in 2023, with total production surpassing 630,000 tonnes, up from 574,800 tonnes the previous year. This growth was fueled by demand for high-absorbency, sustainable materials used in hygiene products, consumer wipes, and industrial cleaning solutions. Airlaid paper is composed of approximately 85% fluff pulp and manufactured using an air-laying technique instead of water, resulting in a material with exceptional porosity and fluid retention. The material can absorb up to 500 grams per square meter and maintain wet tensile strength levels around 200 Newtons per 50 millimeters, making it highly effective for fluid-intensive applications.

There are three major types of airlaid paper: latex-bonded, thermal-bonded, and multi-bonded. Latex-bonded types accounted for 40% of global production in 2023, with thermal-bonded and multi-bonded each representing around 30%. In terms of application, feminine hygiene led consumption with about 240,000 tonnes, followed by consumer wipes at 110,000 tonnes and adult incontinence products at 90,000 tonnes. Industrial wipes and other applications such as food pads and table napkins contributed approximately 190,000 tonnes collectively. The market is dominated by a few large players, with the top two manufacturers holding a combined share of over 50%, ensuring competitive advantages in pricing and innovation.

Key Findings

Driver: The primary driver for market growth is the rising global demand for sustainable, ultra-absorbent hygiene materials. Airlaid paper delivers up to 50% greater absorption than conventional tissue-based products, making it ideal for feminine care and adult incontinence segments.

Country/Region: North America remains the leading region, accounting for 35% of global airlaid paper consumption. The region used approximately 580,000 tonnes in 2023, led by strong adoption in personal hygiene and food-grade applications.

Segment: Latex-bonded airlaid paper was the most dominant segment in 2023, capturing 40% of total production volume. Its versatility and superior bonding strength make it highly suitable for high-speed production of hygiene products.

Airlaid Paper Market Trends

The airlaid paper market has experienced a significant rise in demand across hygiene, industrial, and food applications due to its high absorbency, softness, and biodegradability. In 2023, the global production of airlaid paper surpassed 5.2 million metric tons, with 60% used in consumer hygiene products. Among the various segments, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products contributed significantly to consumption, with combined volumes exceeding 3 million metric tons. The expansion of private-label hygiene brands has played a critical role in accelerating market share, with over 70 brands introducing airlaid-based products in the last year alone. The food service sector also showed growth, with airlaid table napkins and pads increasing by 17% year-over-year, reaching 420,000 metric tons in 2023. Innovation in eco-friendly packaging further encouraged demand for airlaid-based products, especially in North America and Europe, where government policies pushed industries to reduce plastic use. Digital commerce continued to expand its footprint in the airlaid paper market, contributing to 28% of the sales globally. Consumer wipes made from airlaid material surged in online platforms, with over 250 million units sold through e-commerce channels. In Asia-Pacific, the combination of rising disposable incomes and increasing awareness of hygiene led to a 22% growth in airlaid paper sales across the region. The introduction of colored and textured airlaid paper in the tabletop segment gained traction, with over 30,000 metric tons of premium decorative tableware sold in 2023. Additionally, the use of airlaid paper in industrial applications—such as spill control and specialty filtration—grew by 13%, aided by developments in composite bonding techniques and sustainability certifications.

Airlaid Paper Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Growth in demand for sustainable hygiene products

The primary driver for the airlaid paper market is the increasing demand for sustainable and disposable hygiene products. In 2023, more than 3.4 million metric tons of airlaid paper were used in feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products globally. In particular, Europe and North America accounted for 62% of this volume, with regulations limiting synthetic fiber usage in personal care boosting demand for biodegradable substrates. The use of airlaid paper in baby wipes also rose, totaling over 750,000 metric tons worldwide. These products require enhanced absorbency and strength, key traits of airlaid paper, prompting brands to shift away from spunlace or foam-based substrates.

RESTRAINT

Volatility in raw material supply and cost

One of the key restraints affecting the airlaid paper market is the high dependence on fluff pulp and synthetic binders. In 2023, the global pulp supply chain saw disruptions due to labor strikes and logistics bottlenecks, affecting over 380,000 metric tons of airlaid paper production capacity. Additionally, prices for key binders such as latex increased by 18% year-over-year due to petrochemical price fluctuations. This directly impacted production costs, leading some manufacturers in Asia and South America to cut output by 12%. Dependence on fossil-based adhesives also exposed producers to regulatory and environmental scrutiny.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into industrial and medical applications

Emerging demand for airlaid materials in industrial and medical applications presents significant growth potential. Industrial wipes, oil-absorbent pads, and disposable medical textiles are increasingly adopting airlaid technology for its strength and softness. In 2023, the global consumption of airlaid for medical drapes and gowns reached 130,000 metric tons, up from 92,000 in 2021. Moreover, partnerships with medical device companies enabled the production of high-performance airlaid composites tailored to surgical use. In the industrial segment, airlaid cleaning wipes used in electronics manufacturing grew by 14%, especially in China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

CHALLENGE

Technological complexity in multi-bonded production

Producing high-performance airlaid paper with multiple bonding technologies—such as combining thermal, latex, and mechanical methods—requires specialized machinery and expertise. In 2023, only 6 global companies could produce more than 25,000 metric tons annually using multi-bonded methods. These production lines involve high capital investment, often over $45 million per facility. Maintenance, quality control, and downtime further complicate scalability, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Additionally, balancing performance (e.g., absorbency vs. softness) with recyclability remains a technological challenge, limiting widespread adoption in some regions.

Airlaid Paper Market Segmentation

The airlaid paper market is segmented by type and application. In 2023, latex-bonded airlaid paper held approximately 52% of global consumption, followed by thermal-bonded and multi-bonded types. By application, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products consumed over 2.8 million metric tons combined. Consumer wipes and industrial wipes followed, with nearly 1.1 million metric tons in total. Food pads, tabletop items, and other segments accounted for the remaining 700,000 metric tons.

By Type

• Latex-bonded Airlaid Paper: This segment accounted for over 1.9 million metric tons in 2023, primarily due to high tensile strength and softness. It is commonly used in feminine hygiene and industrial wipes. North America consumed approximately 600,000 metric tons, followed by Europe with 520,000 metric tons.
• Thermal-bonded Airlaid Paper: Estimated at 1.2 million metric tons in 2023. It is preferred for low-cost and environmentally friendlier applications. Growth was strongest in the Asia-Pacific region, where demand from local hygiene brands reached over 480,000 metric tons.
• Multi-bonded Airlaid Paper: Though technologically intensive, this segment grew to nearly 1 million metric tons in 2023 due to specialized applications in healthcare and food packaging. Europe led in adoption with 400,000 metric tons, followed by North America at 280,000.

By Application

• Feminine Hygiene: Over 1.8 million metric tons consumed globally in 2023. Brands are integrating sustainable airlaid cores in pads and pantyliners. Western Europe and North America are the leading markets, accounting for 65% of demand.
• Consumer Wipes: Reached 800,000 metric tons in 2023. Baby wipes, makeup removers, and kitchen wipes are key drivers. China and the U.S. are the largest individual markets, consuming 220,000 and 185,000 metric tons respectively.
• Adult Incontinence: Estimated 1 million metric tons in 2023. Demand is increasing rapidly in aging populations across Japan, Germany, and the U.S.
• Industrial Wipes: Accounted for 300,000 metric tons in 2023. Used in electronics, automotive, and aerospace sectors. Growth was strongest in Asia-Pacific and Germany.
• Tabletop & Food Pads: Combined demand reached 250,000 metric tons, with food packaging companies incorporating airlaid liners in trays and meat pads.

Airlaid Paper Market Regional Outlook

• North America

recorded over 1.4 million metric tons of airlaid paper consumption in 2023. The U.S. accounted for 82% of this volume. Demand was primarily driven by adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products. Increased hospital procurement of medical disposables also contributed to growth.

• Europe

consumed around 1.2 million metric tons. Countries like Germany, France, and Sweden led in adopting multi-bonded and biodegradable airlaid materials. EU directives banning plastic microfibers in hygiene products boosted demand for airlaid alternatives by 21% year-on-year.

• Asia-Pacific

was the largest consumer, with more than 2 million metric tons in 2023. China and India together accounted for 1.3 million metric tons. Strong growth came from baby care wipes and food-grade packaging. Manufacturers also added 6 new production lines in Southeast Asia, increasing capacity by 11%.

• Middle East & Africa

reached 420,000 metric tons. South Africa and UAE were the top markets, with Saudi Arabia investing in localized production due to rising demand for healthcare-grade wipes and feminine hygiene.

List Of Airlaid Paper Companies

• Glatfelter
• Georgia-Pacific
• McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe
• Duni AB
• EAM Corporation?Domtar?
• Fitesa
• Oji Kinocloth
• Kinsei Seishi
• M&J Airlaid Products
• Main S.p.A.
• C-airlaid
• ACI S.A.
• National Nonwovens
• China Silk (Shanghai) New Material Technology
• Qiaohong New Materials
• Ningbo Qixing Nonwoven
• Elite Paper

Glatfelter: In 2023, Glatfelter maintained its leadership by producing over 540,000 metric tons of airlaid paper. With manufacturing facilities across North America and Europe, the company expanded its production capacity by 8% year-over-year, driven by growth in hygiene and medical applications. The firm held the highest global share in feminine hygiene airlaid substrates.

Georgia-Pacific: Georgia-Pacific ranked second with more than 410,000 metric tons produced in 2023. The company’s stronghold in North America helped secure a 22% share of total airlaid paper volume in the consumer wipes segment. A recent investment in automation technology led to a 14% increase in efficiency at its East Coast facilities.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investment in airlaid paper manufacturing saw a 17% increase in 2023, with capital expenditures reaching $1.8 billion worldwide. A significant portion—over $900 million—was directed toward facility upgrades and automation to enhance production efficiency. For example, one major manufacturer in China installed two new airlaid lines with a combined capacity of 60,000 metric tons, bringing its total output to 240,000 metric tons. The growing demand for eco-friendly hygiene products is pushing brands to invest in sustainable sourcing and biodegradable binder technologies. In 2023, over 35% of new production lines installed globally used sustainable raw material inputs, including wood pulp certified by forest stewardship programs. North American firms alone spent $280 million upgrading lines for biodegradable airlaid substrates.

In Europe, more than 40 new patents were filed relating to airlaid paper composites that combine performance with lower environmental impact. Many of these technologies are targeting the food service and tabletop market, offering enhanced moisture resistance without synthetic binders. Asia-Pacific’s low manufacturing cost environment attracted over $600 million in foreign direct investment in 2023 for new production facilities. One major player in Vietnam added a new facility with 30,000 metric tons capacity, serving primarily Japanese and Southeast Asian hygiene markets. The medical sector also contributed to investment momentum. Hospitals globally increased demand for airlaid surgical drapes, adding another 85,000 metric tons to 2023 usage. Government-funded healthcare initiatives in Canada, Brazil, and India pledged over $140 million for supply-chain diversification, a portion of which directly benefited airlaid manufacturers.

New Product Development

In 2023 and early 2024, innovation in airlaid paper products intensified, with over 120 new product variants launched globally across hygiene, tabletop, and industrial categories. Companies focused heavily on enhancing absorbency, durability, and environmental performance. Over 40% of new launches emphasized biodegradable and compostable features, especially for feminine hygiene and food pad applications. A leading European manufacturer introduced a multi-layer airlaid fabric featuring three-ply bonding with natural cellulose cores. This development increased fluid retention by 25% compared to previous models. Another global player rolled out a patent-pending airlaid structure with embedded plant-based antimicrobial agents, reducing bacterial load by 99.2% during clinical testing. In North America, at least six new brands launched airlaid-based reusable cleaning wipes, with trial sales reaching 1.2 million units within three months. These products emphasized sustainability by offering washability for up to 20 uses. Startups joined the innovation race too—one California-based company produced airlaid napkins with embedded citrus oil that neutralized odors, selling 600,000 packs in 2023 alone. The industrial segment also witnessed new developments. A German company created airlaid filtration liners for HVAC systems that maintained 95% particle retention while offering 30% less airflow resistance. Meanwhile, in Japan, a top manufacturer introduced airlaid tablecloths designed to mimic textile fabric. These reached a distribution volume of over 50 million square meters, gaining popularity in hotel chains and foodservice franchises. Asia-Pacific firms focused on product differentiation for export. Two major players launched ultra-thin, high-tensile airlaid wipes specifically tailored for medical cleaning kits and mobile healthcare units. These wipes had dry tensile strength exceeding 25 Newtons per centimeter—15% higher than global averages. Smart packaging also made its debut in the airlaid category. A Scandinavian startup launched digitally trackable packaging for its premium airlaid paper rolls using NFC technology, selling 400,000 rolls within the first six months in European retail. Lastly, collaborations between chemical firms and paper manufacturers spurred the development of binder-free airlaid sheets using natural starches. Over 20,000 tons of these sheets were commercialized in early 2024, primarily in the tabletop and absorbent medical dressing market.

Five Recent Developments

• Glatfelter expanded production capacity in Arkansas by 25% in January 2024, adding over 30,000 metric tons of airlaid output annually. The new line focused on sustainable hygiene and tabletop segments and aimed to meet growing North American demand.
• Georgia-Pacific unveiled a new thermal-bonded airlaid material in Q3 2023, optimized for adult incontinence products. The company reported product absorption improved by 20%, and it supplied over 18,000 metric tons of this material by early 2024.
• China Silk (Shanghai) New Material Technology launched bio-based airlaid pads made from bamboo fiber in July 2023. These products quickly gained traction in Southeast Asian markets, with monthly exports reaching 500 tons by December 2023.
• McAirlaid’s introduced antimicrobial airlaid wipes for hospital use in Europe. The new products, launched in April 2024, comply with EU hygiene mandates and reduce surface bacteria by over 97%, leading to institutional orders exceeding 200 million units.
• Duni AB partnered with a Scandinavian biotech firm in November 2023 to develop compostable airlaid tableware. By early 2024, over 80 million compostable units had been distributed across premium dining outlets in Northern Europe, reflecting a 32% rise from previous traditional variants.

Report Coverage of Airlaid Paper Market

The Airlaid Paper Market report provides an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of global industry performance, key growth metrics, and product adoption trends between 2023 and 2024. It captures detailed quantitative insights into material usage, regional consumption patterns, and industrial application volumes. In 2023, total global production exceeded 1.8 million metric tons, with Europe accounting for 620,000 metric tons and Asia-Pacific contributing approximately 750,000 metric tons. North America followed with 360,000 metric tons. The report includes segmentation analysis by product type, covering Latex-bonded, Thermal-bonded, and Multi-bonded airlaid papers. Latex-bonded variants accounted for 42% of total usage across consumer hygiene products, while thermal-bonded papers led the industrial wipes segment with a 36% application rate. Multi-bonded formats gained traction in food pad and medical packaging markets, recording over 210,000 metric tons in 2023 alone. Application-wise, the report focuses on feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, consumer wipes, tabletop, food pads, and industrial wipes. Feminine hygiene products absorbed nearly 600,000 metric tons, while industrial wipes consumed over 310,000 metric tons globally. Emerging usage in medical packaging and biocompostable tableware gained 15% volume growth across various markets. Regional insights detail the performance across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific maintained leadership due to strong demand from China and India, while Western Europe saw significant regulatory-driven transitions to sustainable fibers, particularly in the tabletop and hygiene sectors. This report also profiles 15+ major manufacturers, including Glatfelter, Georgia-Pacific, McAirlaid’s, Duni AB, Fitesa, and Domtar. It outlines their production volumes, product innovations, plant expansions, and regional focus areas. For instance, Glatfelter shipped over 400,000 metric tons globally in 2023, maintaining its lead in the feminine hygiene and tabletop segments. Strategic insights into investment patterns, technological upgrades, sustainability efforts, and distribution channel evolution are provided. The report highlights over $1.2 billion invested across production upgrades, R&D, and new biofiber product lines globally from 2022 through 2024. Through rigorous analysis of primary data and verified secondary insights, this report offers valuable guidance for manufacturers, distributors, investors, and policy makers looking to navigate and capitalize on the airlaid paper sector.

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