Smithers Pira publishes a new report entitled, The Future of Tissue Manufacturing to 2021, which provides an in-depth, long-term assessment of the rapidly evolving tissue manufacturing processes.
Operating environment trends and diverging product performance levels will push alternative manufacturing technologies. Tissue manufacturers occupying economy segments compete primarily on price. This requires increased focus on productivity and cost control. Premium level product performance will drive increased adoption of structured sheet technologies supported by chemicals and fibres.
Changes are well underway as the standardisation of crescent former configurations and sizes have allowed machines to be built in auto assembly line fashion in workshops at much lower costs than the traditional engineered custom machines. Steel Yankee assembly is rapidly joining this disruptive approach to machinery sourcing.
“Product focus is moving toward a two level strategy with economy and premium performance products.” states Bruce W. Janda, author of the report.
“Middle of the road products will increasingly be left behind.”
Recycled fibre for tissue making will see shortages as tissue demand grows and the supply of recyclable papers decreases in the electronic media conversion. This will have a disruptive effect, particularly in North America over the period to 2021. Tree-free tissue products are poised to take off in North America and this period will show if consumers will respond with interest. Sustainable pulping where fibre is a by-product of non-fossil energy or feedstock production is moving forward in Northern Europe.
Tissue manufacturing is growing in allregions, albeit at distinctly different rates. The two undeveloped tissue markets remain Africa (excluding South Africa) and India. These are unlikely to change the market balance in the next five years. Improved hot air hand dryers will continue to take business away from paper hand towels with substitution rates above 30% expected in Western Europe and North America by the end of this period.
The operating environment for tissue manufacturers will increasingly be constrained by uncertain water and energy access and costs. Sustainability measures will become a greater factor as consumer and government requirements increase. The growth of non-wood fibre sources has opened up new possibilities for simplified and sustainable pulping processes. New approaches to dry strength additives show potential to increase tissue softness and productivity. Enzyme applications for fibre modification and process management will offer potential sustainable improvements to tissue manufacturing.
The Future of Tissue Manufacturing to 2021 focuses on the market and manufacturing processes for hygienic tissue and towel products made from natural cellulosic fibre, along with packaging and other applications of tissue paper.Trends in manufacturing processes, cutting-edge machinery developments, fibre technologies, and tissue end-use are examined both on a globaland regional basis. Additionally new product trends, the current operating environment, and technology developments are assessed for potential disruptive changes to tissue manufacturing.
The Future of Tissue Manufacturing to 2021 is available for £4,200. For more information, please contact:
Europe/Asia
Stephen Hill / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+44(0)1372 802025
North/South America:
Josh Rabb / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
330-762-7441 ext. 1206
Smithers Pira is the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Established in 1930, Smithers Pira provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance. For more information please visit www.smitherspira.com