Segments - Biodegradable Diapers Market by Product Type (Pant Style and Tape Style), Raw Material (Bamboo, Cotton/Wood Pulp, Starch, and Others), End-user (Adults and Babies), Distribution Channel (Online, Pharmacies, Convenience Stores, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, and Others), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 – 2031
The global biodegradable diapers market size was USD 3.7 Bn in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 7.2 Bn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 7% during 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the increasing geriatric population and the prevalence of urinary incontinence.
Growing elderly population, increasing birth rate, and expanding awareness about the benefits of biodegradable products are key propelling factors for the biodegradable diapers market. Parents and elder people are preferring biodegradable diapers, as they are conveniently discarded after a single use and do no harm to the environment. Disposable briefs increase the burden on landfill sites, whereas biodegradable diapers are decomposed easily, this factor boosts the biodegradable diaper market.
The gradual decline in physical and medical abilities in proportion to age, makes people more vulnerable to health conditions that need the use of adult diapers, which is expected to propel the market. Age-related health conditions, such as urinary incontinence or overactive bladder are becoming highly prevalent. It is a common medical condition that affects a significant portion of the population, especially the elderly, which is driving demand for diapers from consumers in this age group.
As per the information published by the Urology Care Foundation, a quarter to a third of women and men in the US suffer from urinary incontinence. Around 33 million have intense bladder, representing symptoms of frequency, urgency, and with or without urge incontinence.
The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the market, due to the fluctuations in the availability of raw materials and lockdowns imposed by various governments across the world. The demand for biodegradable diapers declined as consumers focused on buying essentials instead of buying these diapers, owing to economic uncertainties. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a reduction in the disposable income of individuals across the globe, which has impacted the purchase of branded baby or adult sanitary biodegradable diapers.
Increasing awareness regarding environmental pollution among adults is expected to boost the biodegradable diapers market. Single-use diapers are harmful to the environment because they are not biodegradable and need thousands of years, if not decades, to break down. They are one of the biggest contributors to landfills.
According to the report published by Remedy Publications LLC, an international Open Access journal in 2020, disposable diapers represent around 4% of solid waste. They are the 3rd major single consumer item in landfills that is discarded after a single use. In a home that has a child in diapers, disposables contribute up to 50% of household waste.
Growing number of conscious parents are concerned about their carbon footprint while raising their babies, which is fueling the demand for biodegradable diapers. These diapers are free from toxic chemicals and are without harmful polymers, which reduces their environmental impact. Consumers are preferring eco-friendly diaper products as they can be easily bought from online and offline stores, which is majorly driving the growth of the market.
High cost of biodegradable diaper products is expected to hamper the market. The cost of biodegradable diapers is higher than regular disposable products and much more than cloth or cotton diapers, which can save hundreds of dollars a year. Cost factor and limited awareness limit their adoption in low-to-middle-income countries, which is likely to affect the market in the coming years.
Increasing technological developments for the manufacture of special biodegradable diapers, especially for premature babies are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players. The birth rate of premature babies is increasing in several countries such as the US and is expected to boost the market.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the US, premature birth affected about 1 of every 10 infants born in 2021. The preterm birth rate grew by 4% in 2021, from around 10.1% in 2020 to around 10.5% in 2021.
Increasing government initiatives in various countries supporting the use of biodegradable diapers to reduce landfill waste and reduce carbon footprint is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players. Several market key players are developing innovative products with latex, non-chlorine, and dye-free materials, which is boosting the biodegradable diapers market.
The market report includes an assessment of the market trends, market segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes |
Details |
Report Title |
Biodegradable Diapers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year |
2022 |
Historic Data |
2016–2021 |
Forecast Period |
2023–2031 |
Segmentation |
Product Type (Pant Style and Tape Style), Raw Material (Bamboo, Cotton/Wood Pulp, Starch, and Others), End-user (Adults and Babies), and Distribution Channel (Online, Pharmacies, Convenience Stores, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, and Others), |
Regional Scope |
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Market Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered in the Report |
Unilever; Unicharm Corporation; The Honest Company, Inc.; Ontex BV; KCWW; Procter & Gamble; GroVia; DYPER Inc.; Bumkins; Bamboonature Co., Ltd.; and Babyganics |
Based on product type, the biodegradable diapers market is divided into pant style and tape style. The tape style segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period, as it is easy to use, convenient, and a secure fit. Parents can adjust the comfort level of the diaper to suit their baby, as the length of the tape around it can be adjusted as per their requirement. It does not cause any skin rashes or red marks on the belly of the infant. These advantages are further propelling demand for this product type, which is likely to boost the segment in the coming years.
The pant style segment is anticipated to hold a key share of the market in the coming years, as it is easy to put on and remove for active kids. These diapers are used for above 6 months babies, as they can start to crawl and become restless while changing their diapers. Pant style diapers have stretchy elastic bands for the thigh area and waist. These products can be conveniently bought from online and offline stores, which is further increasing their sales.
On the basis of raw material, the global market is segregated into bamboo, cotton/wood pulp, starch, and others. The cotton/wood pulp segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, as it has good fluid-absorbing capacities and facilitates extra convenience.
Wood pulp is a cellulose product that is used as the primary absorbent component of the diaper, combined with polymer particles to make an ultra-absorbent pad. The immediate liquid absorption characteristic of wood pulp fluff is the reason for its usage in disposable diapers, which further propels the segment in the market.
Based on end-user, the biodegradable diapers market is segmented into adults and babies. The babies segment is expected to register a robust growth rate during the forecast period, as it is biodegradable and manufactured from waterproof and sustainable fabrics, which does not cause any skin-related issues. Biodegradable diapers help babies, as these diapers do not have plastic ingredients and chemicals, which cause skin reactions, especially those with sensitive skin.
The adults segment is projected to hold a considerable market share in the coming years, due to the increasing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and others. In addition, incontinence is the most common problem among adults, which increases the demand for the biodegradable diapers market. Growing number of elderly consumers are preferring biodegradable diapers, as they are free from toxic chemicals.
On the basis of distribution channel, the global market is segregated into online, pharmacies, convenience stores, supermarkets/hypermarkets, and others. The pharmacies segment is expected to expand at the fastest growth rate during the projection period, as it is a convenient option for consumers to purchase diapers. Consumers prefer to buy biodegradable diapers from pharmacy stores, as they provide safely packaged products, and also information about suitable products can be sought. The pharmacies are widespread and can be easily reached, which increases the demand for the segment in the market.
The online segment is anticipated to account for a key market share in the coming years, as it is convenient and supports comparing prices and other preferences easily. Several consumers prefer to buy diapers online, as it is easy to buy without putting too much effort into it, which increases the demand for the online segment. On Online platforms, there are several options available based on consumer brand preferences, budgets, and size specifications. In addition, the attractive offers provided by e-commerce platforms for purchasing baby diaper products further boost the segment in the market.
In terms of region, the global biodegradable diapers market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, due to the increasing awareness about maintaining hygiene, the growing geriatric population, and the rising prevalence of adult urinary incontinence.
Several governments are encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly products, which is fueling the demand for biodegradable products in the region. The surging online shopping trend, as it is convenient and easy to buy, is further propelling the demand for these diapers in the US and Canada.
The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand rapidly in the coming years, owing to the rising consumption of disposable products. In emerging countries such as China, India, and Japan, the rise in disposable income, rapid urbanization, and lifestyle changes has fueled the demand for convenient products in the region. The rising pollution and waste generation caused by synthetic materials are further contributing to the need for environmentally friendly products. Several market key players are focusing to develop cost-effective products with wide specifications, which further fuels the market in the region.
The global biodegradable diapers market has been segmented on the basis of
Key players competing in the global biodegradable diapers market are Unilever; Unicharm Corporation; The Honest Company, Inc.; Ontex BV; KCWW; Procter & Gamble; GroVia; DYPER Inc.; Bumkins; Bamboonature Co., Ltd.; and Babyganics
These key players adopt various strategies including mergers, acquisitions, collaboration, partnerships, product launches, and production expansion to expand their consumer base globally.
In May 2021, Procter & Gamble (Pampers) introduced a new Pampers pure protection hybrid diaper, that is part reusable and part disposable. This hybrid diaper uses principal Pampers technology and delivers superior dryness and protection from a diaper leak. The product has 25% fewer disposable materials.