Did you know that the average North American uses approximately 25 kilogrammes (c.55lbs) of tissue paper in some form, every year?
This week’s blog looks at the multipurpose tissue paper, an everyday product essential in most of our lives. Unsurprisingly, demand for this soft, feathery, lightweight, highly absorbent, tear resistant, disposable and relatively strong paper product in all its forms remains buoyant. And there’s more good news for tissue manufacturers – changes in living standards and lifestyles across many developing countries, are likely to ensure continued growth for this versatile and adaptable product category!
Key Types of Tissue Paper
There are five different types of tissue paper, each with a different use. It is manufactured in an extensive range of colours and textures, and can be moistened and/or perfumed.
Toilet Tissue
This is the most purchased commodity in European and American countries. Toilet paper comes in various numbers of ‘ply’ (layers of thickness), from one-ply all the way up to six-ply, with more back-to-back plies offering greater strength and absorbency. Typically, it is the lowest grade of fibres used for tissue paper, and can be rippled, perfumed, coloured, patterned, medicated or treated with aloe vera, or other perfumes.
Paper Towel
The second most popular tissue paper by consumption; it is used in place of a conventional cloth towel, for drying hands, wiping windows and other surfaces and dusting. The ‘kitchen roll’ is a standard feature of most domestic and commercial kitchens, for clearing up those accidental spills. It is convenient, and of course, disposable.
Paper towels soak up liquids because they are loosely woven, enabling the liquid to travel between the fibres. It is most commonly available as a 2-ply product, but can be manufactured at 4-ply. Paper towels are generally sold packed as stacks of folded towels, or in rolls.
Facial Tissues
Facial tissue and paper handkerchiefs are made from the lowest base weights of tissue paper, generally 4-18 g/m2. They often have a smooth finish which is achieved by light calendaring. Tissues or ‘hankies’ are in the main, manufactured as 2-3 ply thickness. Given market demands for a higher-quality tissue, the base tissue used in these ranges is normally made entirely from pure chemical pulp. Some recycled fibres may be added. Softeners, lotions, or perfumes are often added by some tissue manufacturers to differentiate their product range, and to meet the needs of the more discerning consumer. The finished facial tissues or handkerchiefs are folded and put in pocket-size packages for ease of carriage, or a cardboard box dispenser for use around the home.
Table Napkins
These are offered from one up to four plies, and in a vast number of colours, patterns, folds, and sizes.
Wrapping Tissue
We all know the translucent, coloured and often patterned thin tissue paper that is used in gift wrapping to add an extra special and luxury feel to a boxed or bagged gift. It is also used for origami, crafting, for decoration and presentation purposes.
World tissue consumption in 2017
A quarter of global tissue production is consumed by North America, with China in second place at 21.3% having overtaken Western Europe’s consumption which was 18.3% in 2017. Predictions are that changing lifestyle and living standards across the globe will result in a growing demand for tissue paper across Asia, the Far East and Africa. Good news for tissue paper manufacturers!
RISI: European Tissue Market Outlook
Like many other paper products, cellulose fibres are the main component of tissue paper. The fibres can either be 100% virgin, recycled or mixed depending on the requirements and purpose of the end product. The recycled fibres used in some tissue papers come from office paper collection programmes. Virgin fibres are mostly Kraft fibers, produced from soft or hardwood. The highest quality tissue paper is made from virgin grade wood pulp.
Absorbency and softness are the key properties of tissue paper and these are determined by its porosity, creping (surface property) and its finished composition.
Tissue Paper Supplier – PG Paper
As a tissue paper supplier, PG Paper will meet your paper requirements no matter what they may be. Our multilingual sales team will be happy to discuss your bespoke requirements and to offer you a quality, cost-effective solution. Contact us or send your query to [email protected] today!