Disposable Hand Towels Market Report 2026

The disposable hand towels market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.4 billion in 2025 to $6.93 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising hygiene awareness in public and commercial spaces, expansion of hospitality and healthcare facilities, increased use of paper-based disposables, growth of institutional cleaning services, availability of low-cost paper towel manufacturing.

The disposable hand towels market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.51 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable hygiene products, rising regulations on single-use plastics, expansion of commercial restroom infrastructure, growing preference for eco-certified paper products, innovation in plant fiber towel materials. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for recycled and biodegradable towels, expansion of touchless and hygienic towel solutions, rising adoption of high-absorbency materials, increased focus on cost-efficient bulk packaging, enhanced product differentiation through folding styles.

The increasing focus on hand hygiene is expected to drive the growth of the disposable hand towels market. Hand hygiene, the practice of cleaning hands to remove dirt, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms, has gained prominence due to health education initiatives, global awareness campaigns, and recognition of its critical role in infection prevention. Disposable hand towels support hand hygiene by providing a single-use, hygienic drying option that reduces cross-contamination compared to shared cloth towels. For example, in September 2024, The Leapfrog Group, a US-based non-profit organization, reported a 78% increase in hospitals holding leadership directly accountable for hand hygiene through performance evaluations or compensation changes, highlighting the growing priority of hygiene and patient safety.

Key players in the disposable hand towels market are emphasizing innovation to enhance cleaning efficiency. In March 2023, Procter & Gamble, a US-based consumer goods company, launched Bounty Quicker Picker Upper household paper towels. These towels feature a superior structure that prevents collapse when wet, flexible strength for diverse cleaning tasks, and optimized fluid distribution to improve absorption, enabling consumers to tackle tough messes using fewer sheets.

In November 2024, Sofidel S.p.A., an Italy-based tissue and paper products manufacturer, acquired the tissue division of Clearwater Paper Corporation for $1.06 billion. This acquisition expanded Sofidel’s production capacity and geographic footprint in North America, strengthening its position as a leading tissue paper producer and enabling it to serve a broader customer base. Clearwater Paper Corporation, based in the US, specializes in high-quality tissue paper production across multiple channels, with its facilities now integrated into Sofidel’s North American operations.

Major companies operating in the disposable hand towels market are The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Essity AB, Oji Holdings Corporation, CMPC Tissue S.A., Cascades Tissue Group Inc., Hengan International Group Company Limited, Metsä Group, Sofidel Group, Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti S.p.A., Nice-Pak Products Inc., Duni Group AB, Kruger Products L.P., Seventh Generation Inc., Industrie Celtex S.p.A., Renova, Behrens Group, Newland Bamboo Co Ltd., Zooby Promotional Products.

North America was the largest region in the disposable hand towels market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the substantial growth region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the disposable hand towels market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the disposable hand towels market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The disposable hand towels market consists of sales of products including roll towels, industrial towels, antibacterial towels, biodegradable towels, and compostable towels. 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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