Worldwide Business Information and Market Reports

Telephone +44 1404 891528 Fax +44 1404 891717 Email reportfinder @ tiscali.co.uk

Join the ReportFinder mailing list and be told of new reports

Email:

ISBN 1-84168-070-2

This report covers:

Companies covered include:

GO TO LATEST EDITION

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

Back to Paper Products Index and Shopping Cart

Back To REPORTFINDER home page and Search Engine

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The market for disposable paper products comprises disposable paper tissue products, disposable nappies and feminine sanitary protection (sanpro). The entire UK market was valued at £2.22bn in 1999, of which sales of disposable tissue products — i.e. toilet tissue, facial tissues, kitchen rolls and baby wipes, accounted for 59.9 percent of the value. It is a mature market and one in which it is difficult to stimulate additional demand, since a given quantity of products will be used in a given period of time. Exceptions are paper handkerchiefs, where sales benefit from outbreaks of colds and influenza or a high pollen count, and panty liners, which manufacturers are keen to promote as basic hygiene products rather than sanitary protection. The most effective way to grow market value is through new product development (NPD), and manufacturers have had some success with premium products such as kitchen rolls with ‘thirst pockets’ and facial tissues with added balm. Nevertheless, the market remains characterised by a high level of own-label products, particularly in the disposable tissue sector. Certain products are perceived as necessities and are regularly bought by most households. However, this means that demand is directly affected by population trends. A falling birth rate and aging population offer little optimism for future demand. Supply of disposable paper products is dominated by the US giants Procter & Gamble Ltd, Fort James Corporation and Kimberly-Clark Corporation, all of which have UK operations, while the only significant European contender is the Swedish company, Svenska Cellulosa AB. Procter & Gamble’s recent foray into new product sectors will ensure competition becomes yet tougher. Distribution is widespread, from multiples to corner shops and garage forecourts. The main constraint is that of space, as the products are bulky. Some retailers may have to drop one range in order to accommodate another so that, in many cases, one brand’s share will increase at the expense of another. However, there is a high degree of brand loyalty— particularly in the sanitary protection sector, where many women will stay with one brand throughout their menstruating life. That disposable paper products satisfy the growing consumer demand for convenience cannot be disputed. There is, however, a growing awareness of potential health hazards such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and, in some products, the presence of toxins— including dioxin which has been linked to reproductory disorders, birth defects and cancer. Their disposal also presents problems, such as the threat of water and beach pollution, and the rapid filling of landfill sites. Key Note anticipates annual growth rates of no higher than 3 percent from 2000 to 2004, with some products faring better than others, notably panty liners and training pants. The value of the market is anticipated to reach £2.54bn by 2004, with the largest sector, disposable tissue products, seeing its share diminishing slightly.

Back to Top

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Text © 2000 Key Note

Back to Top

Back To REPORTFINDER HOME PAGE

Ariadne - working together with our customers to enhance productivity and increase knowledge

© 2000 www.the-list.co.uk Ariadne

Last updated by Jacob van Eldik 21th June 2000