Fluff Pulp Market Report 2026

The fluff pulp market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $11.4 billion in 2025 to $12.56 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in disposable diaper usage, rising demand for feminine hygiene products, expansion of adult incontinence care markets, availability of kraft pulping technology, increased use of cellulose-based absorbent materials.

The fluff pulp market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.6 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing aging population driving incontinence products, rising focus on biodegradable hygiene materials, expansion of hygiene product consumption in emerging markets, growing investments in sustainable pulp sourcing, increasing demand for premium absorbent products. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for high-absorbency pulp grades, rising use of sustainable forestry-based raw materials, growing focus on softness and comfort enhancement, expansion of air-laid product applications, enhanced process efficiency in pulp manufacturing.

The rising birth rates are expected to drive the growth of the fluff pulp market in the coming years. Birth rate refers to the number of live births per 1,000 individuals in a population over a given period, usually calculated annually. Improvements in healthcare access, which reduce infant and maternal mortality, are contributing to the increase in birth rates. As more babies are born, fluff pulp becomes increasingly important, providing highly absorbent and soft materials for baby diapers, thereby meeting the growing demand while ensuring comfort and hygiene for newborns. For example, in July 2025, according to the National Institutes of Health, a US-based federal agency, the United States experienced a 1% increase in births from 2023 to 2024, reaching a total of 3,628,934 newborns. Therefore, the upward trend in birth rates is supporting the expansion of the fluff pulp market.

Companies operating in the fluff pulp market are increasingly focusing on developing sustainable, high-performance absorbent solutions such as eucalyptus-based fluff pulp to enhance absorbency, support environmental goals, and meet evolving needs in hygiene and personal care applications. Eucalyptus-based fluff pulp is an advanced cellulose material that provides higher absorbency, improved fiber uniformity, stronger bonding strength, and a reduced environmental footprint compared to conventional softwood pulp. These attributes enable improved performance in products such as baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence items. For instance, in October 2023, Suzano S.A., a Brazil-based pulp manufacturer, announced an investment to expand its eucalyptus-based fluff pulp production capacity. The project involves converting a bleached hardwood kraft pulp line at Suzano’s Limeira mill into a flexible system capable of producing either eucalyptus-based fluff pulp or BHKP. This expansion is expected to increase annual fluff pulp capacity from 100,000 tons to 440,000 tons by the fourth quarter of 2025. Produced from 100% planted eucalyptus, this bleached kraft fluff pulp offers enhanced liquid retention, comfort, and discretion and is approved for products compliant with EU Ecolabel and Nordic Swan standards, supporting sustainable hygiene product manufacturing.

In March 2023, The Paper Excellence Group, a Canada-based pulp and paper manufacturer, acquired Resolute Forest Products Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, The Paper Excellence Group aims to strengthen and expand its product portfolio while enhancing overall sales performance. The transaction also aligns the sustainability objectives of both companies by creating long-term value. Resolute Forest Products Inc. is a Canada-based manufacturer specializing in fluff pulp and paper products.

Major companies operating in the fluff pulp market are Stora Enso Oyj, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, Domtar Corporation, International Paper Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Suzano SA, Klabin SA, Celulosa Arauco y Constitución, Weyerhaeuser Company, Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc, Mercer International Inc, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Resolute Forest Products, Metsä Fibre Oy, Ilim Group, Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd, Oji Holdings Corporation, CMPC Celulosa, West Fraser Timber Co Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the fluff pulp market in 2025. The regions covered in the fluff pulp market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the fluff pulp market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The fluff pulp market consists of sales of southern softwood fluff pulp, northern softwood fluff pulp, and bleached softwood pulp. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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