Absorbent Pads Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Plastic {Polypropylene, Superabsorbent Polymer, and Others}, Paper, Fiber, and Others), By Type (Universal Absorbent Pads, Oil Absorbent Pads, and Hazmat Absorbent Pads), By End Use (Food {Fresh Produce, Meat, Poultry & Seafood, and Others}, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Chemical, Automotive, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The absorbent pads market size was valued at USD 3.64 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth USD 3.82 billion in 2024 and reach USD 5.84 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.43% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the absorbent pads market with a market share of 30.22% in 2023. Moreover, the absorbent pads market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 1.64 billion by 2032, driven by the wide use of absorbent pads in food sector due to their lucrative benefits.

Absorbent pads are packaging products made of several materials, such as cotton fibers, cellulose fibres, and polymers for absorbing various liquid substances. The liquid substances include leakage of chemicals, oil spills, coolants, personal hygiene, and other solvent-based spills.

Growing environmental concerns due to a notable rise in chemical leakage and oil spills is a major factor driving the global absorbent pads market growth. Moreover, the increasing usage of chemical pads in chemical industries and rising demand from the food sector will contribute to the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on several end-use industries. The packaging industry in particular experienced a mixed impact owing to the closure of physical retail stores and businesses worldwide. However, the increasing availability of online retail stores boosted the growth of the market, growing healthcare industry, rising demand for these pads for medical testing, research, pharmaceutical experimentation, and other uses aided the market growth. The increased popularity of hazmat suits during the COVID-19 pandemic also brought attention to such pads.

Absorbent Pads Market Trends

Increasing Usage of Absorbent Pads in Automotive Industry to Augment Market Growth

The growing utilization of these pads in the automotive industry is emerging as a key trend for the market’s growth. Such pads are an excellent option for petroleum, gasoline, and diesel absorption. They are also utilized in machine shops, public works facilities, gas stations, trucking terminals, oil delivery & manufacturing facilities, fuel transportation, and others owing to which the market is witnessing tremendous growth. For automotive usage, these pads are a preferred choice as they easily catch oil and several other slippery or messy substances. They do not leave behind fibres, flakes, or fuzz and can be easily reused for multiple cleanups and messes, owing to which the market is growing at a strong pace. Hence, the rising use of these pads for cleaning oil & chemicals and preventing leaks in the automotive industry is emerging as a key trend.

Absorbent Pads Market Growth Factors

Noteworthy Benefits Offered by Absorbent Pads to Drive Market Growth

Spillage and leakage of fluids, such as oil, chemicals, and others are unavoidable in nearly all workstations where fuels are used. Advancements in the development of such useful absorbing pads that can control these spills and leaks are a major factor driving the market growth. They are crucial for the cleanup and maintenance of drips and spills caused by the day-to-day activities of storing, transporting, and dispensing liquids. This is why these pads have gained huge traction across multiple sectors, such as agriculture, automotive, medical, and others.

These pads are commercially available with different absorption capacities that cater to the precise demands of different packaged products. Moreover, as they are highly cost-efficient and can be utilized for the disposal of waste liquids, they are in high demand among several chemical and oil manufacturers globally. They are durable and possess good tear strength, allowing easy usage and reducing the risk of the pad tearing apart while cleaning. Hence, the potential benefits offered by these pads are contributing to the market growth.

Rising Demand for Absorbent Pads from Food Sector to Propel Market Growth

Absorbent pads are an essential packaging solution in several end-use sectors ranging from grocery and medical to automotive and oil & gas to package and ship their products. However, the rising usage of these pads in the food industry is contributing to the market growth. The acidic smell released while opening the food packaging is relatively less with the use of these pads. The utilization of such pads in food packaging holds the potential to transform the entire industry by improving the quality and safety of prepared foods, extending their shelf-life, decreasing packaging volume, and generating less food wastage. These pads are a key factor in this procedure as they preserve the freshness of the food by absorbing the fluids released within the package. The rising usage of such pads for fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf life by absorbing excess moisture is also driving the market growth. With the use of absorbing pads, fresh produce maintains its freshness and appearance, making it more visually appealing to the customers. Hence, the growing demand for these pads from the food sector is supporting the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices to Restrain the Market Growth

The costs of raw materials, such as superabsorbent polymers, plastic materials, and cellulose fibres are inconsistent, which reduces the manufacturing rate of such pads, especially for usage in the food sector. The volatility in the cost of raw materials required to manufacture these pads is the primary factor hampering the growth of the market. Moreover, growing concern regarding the impact of plastic materials on the environment is also a major factor limiting the growth of the market, especially in some countries in the European region. The pads manufactured with plastics are not sustainable and generate large amounts of waste that can harm the environment. Additionally, the growing number of new players has led to a price reduction, eventually shrinking the profit margins of major manufacturers and further impeding the market growth.

Absorbent Pads Market Segmentation Analysis

By Material Analysis

Excellent Product Protection and High Recycling Rate Increases the Use of Fibers

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastic, paper, fiber, and others.

The fiber segment is dominating the market share. Such pads manufactured with fiber are gaining significant traction as they increase the durability and recycling rate of these pads. Cellulose also plays a crucial role in offering protection, safety, extra sustainability, and absorbing qualities, owing to which their usage is increasing in the development of absorbent pads. The pads are compostable and can be easily recycled, which is why they are gaining crucial importance in several end-use industries worldwide.

Plastic is the second-dominating segment in the market. The material is versatile and offers improved moisture management and compatibility, due to which it is highly utilized in the manufacturing of such pads.

By Type Analysis

Rising Demand from Automotive and Chemical Industries Boosts the Use of Universal Absorbent Pads

Based on type, the market is segmented into universal absorbent pads, oil absorbent pads, and hazmat absorbent pads.

Universal absorbent pads is the leading segment and is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Universal pads are an all-purpose cleanup pad used for the absorption of any fluid, such as oils, solvents, coolants, and water-based fluids. Such pads are majorly utilized for the absorption of hydraulic fluids, gasoline, isopropanol, diesel fuels, nitric acid, kerosene, and various automotive fluids and chemicals. These are used in varied setups, such as factories, garages, laboratories, and many others. The rising demand for universal pads from the chemical, oil & gas, and automotive industries is driving the growth of the segment.

Oil pads are the second-dominating segment and is predicted to grow steadily over the forecast period. Oil pads are an easy solution to avoid leakage and spills of oil, thereby keeping the environment clean and preventing damage.

By End Use Analysis

Absorbent Pads are Widely Used in Food Sector Due to Their Lucrative Benefits

Based on end use, the market is segmented into food, oil & gas, healthcare, chemical, automotive, and others.

Food is the leading segment. Food absorbent pads are used as meat pads as they offer several benefits, such as low cost, excellent quality, enhanced appearance, and high safety of packaged meat. The pads are also used as a tray for meats and poultry to absorb the meat juices. Using these pads in fruits and vegetables assures their safety during transportation. They offer a protective barrier that absorbs shock and averts additional damage. These factors are projected to drive the segment’s growth. Moreover, the increasing demand for these pads from the food sector to absorb the dripping water and ensure hygiene will also drive the segment’s growth.

Oil & gas is the second-dominating segment and is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. The rising usage of these pads to prevent oil spillage during transportation is aiding the segment’s growth.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America accounts for the largest share of the market. The growth of the market in this region is primarily attributed to the growing awareness regarding the benefits provided by these pads. Increasing utilization of chemical pads for oil spills and chemicals in the region is favouring the market growth. The easy availability of various pad types and the presence of leading market players are also helping the regional market thrive.

Europe is the second-dominating region in the market. The food & agriculture sector in the region extensively utilizes these products in food packaging to absorb water dripping from the food items, further maintaining hygiene and preventing food spoilage. The increasing usage of these products by diverse industries in the region to protect floors from oil and chemical spills will also boost the market growth.

Asia Pacific is the third-dominating region and is estimated to grow steadily over the forecast period. Growing healthcare and chemical industries in several countries and increasing demand for these pads from these sectors are propelling the market growth in Asia Pacific.

The Middle East & Africa will also witness moderate growth owing to the rising usage of these pads with the growth of the oil & gas and chemical sectors.

The Latin American market is growing moderately and is analyzed to witness moderate growth in the coming years as well.

List of Key Companies in Absorbent Pads Market

Key Market Participants to Witness Significant Growth Opportunities with New Product Launches

This market is highly fragmented and competitive. A few significant players are dominating the market by offering innovative packaging solutions in the packaging industry. These major players are constantly focusing on expanding their customer base across regions by innovating their existing product ranges.

Major players in the market include Novipax LLC, AptarGroup Inc., 3M Company, Brady Corporation, Sirane Limited, Azapak, and others. Numerous other companies operating in the market are focused on delivering advanced packaging solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Novipax LLC (U.S.)


• AptarGroup Inc. (U.S.)


• 3M Company (U.S.)


• Brady Corporation (U.S.)


• Sirane Limited (U.K.)


• Azapak (South Africa)


• Cool-Direct (U.K.)


• Fentex Ltd (U.K.)


• ESP Sorbents (U.S.)


• Pactiv LLC (U.S.)


• W. Dimer GmbH (Germany)


• CoCopac (U.K.)


• Meltblown Technologies Inc. (U.S.)


• Cellcomb AB (Sweden)


• Elliott Absorbent Products (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023 – Engine Leak Solutions announced the launch of a new and innovative series of patent-pending absorbent pads and products designed to protect against leaks. The absorbent pads developed by the company claim to offer incomparable protection, keeping workspaces clean as well as eliminating the risk of slip hazards or other expensive cleanup costs.


• February 2023 – Novipax reintroduced one of its flagship active absorbents, XtendaPak, to the food packaging sector. The absorbent pad, XtendaPak, is a solution manufactured to enhance and extend the shelf life of poultry, fresh meat, and seafood products.


• November 2022 – Cellcomb, a paper province company, launched a new bio-based absorbent pad that will make the food industry greener. This type of pads are made from pure cellulose that effectively absorbs liquid in packaging, especially for fresh foods, including meat, fish, and poultry.


• October 2022 – Novipax, a leading absorbent manufacturer for fresh protein, foodservice, produce, and healthcare markets, announced that it would open a brand new manufacturing facility in El Paso, Texas. The new facility will offer the company the resources required to support its current and future growth plans, such as growth into markets next to protein, such as healthcare, produce, and foodservice.


• July 2021 – Novipax, a leading global manufacturer of food safety absorbents, announced the launch of an innovative product, Dri-Loc Terra, which is a fully compostable pad made from 100% renewable materials. The highly absorbent fluff core is majorly sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified suppliers and the outside film is developed with a GMO-free, plasticizer-free, and thermo-plastic bio-resin.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects, such as top market players, competitive landscape, product/service types, market segmentation, porters's five forces analysis, and leading end uses of the product. Besides, it offers insights into the latest market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the above-mentioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market’s growth in recent years.

REPORT SCOPE & SEGMENTATION