What is tissue paper?
Tissue paper is a lightweight, absorbent paper used for hygiene and wiping applications. It is characterized by low grammage (typically 15 to 45 g/m²), high bulk, and a creped surface texture. Creping is what gives tissue its softness and stretch: the wet sheet is scraped off a hot drying cylinder with a doctor blade, which compresses and micro-folds the fiber network.
The tissue category breaks into five subcategories by end use: bathroom tissue (toilet paper), facial tissue, paper napkins, kitchen towels, and away-from-home tissue (AFH: hotel, hospital, industrial). Each has different strength, softness, and absorbency targets.
How is tissue made?
Tissue production uses two main technologies: conventional wet-press tissue and through-air-dried (TAD) tissue. Conventional wet-press, the older and cheaper method, passes the sheet through press rolls before drying on a Yankee dryer. It produces standard bathroom and industrial tissue. TAD machines dry the sheet with hot air blown through a porous wire, producing a bulkier, softer sheet at higher energy cost. Premium facial tissues and some premium toilet paper are TAD.
The furnish is typically virgin chemical pulp, often eucalyptus hardwood (for softness) blended with northern softwood (for strength). Recycled tissue exists but is limited to industrial and AFH applications because fiber shortens each cycle.
What grammages does tissue come in?
Bathroom tissue runs 13 to 18 g/m² per ply. Three-ply premium toilet paper totals 45 g/m² at the sheet. Facial tissue runs 15 to 22 g/m² per ply. Kitchen towels are heavier, at 22 to 30 g/m² per ply. Industrial wipers, the heaviest tissue grade, hit 40 to 45 g/m² single-ply.
Why is tissue the fastest-growing paper segment?
Rising middle-class consumption in Asia, Latin America, and Africa drives tissue growth. As disposable income rises, per-capita tissue use follows predictably. Per RISI's 2024 global tissue outlook, world tissue demand is growing 3 to 4% per year while most other paper grades are flat or declining.
The COVID-19 pandemic produced a one-time demand spike in 2020 and 2021, followed by normalization. Longer-term drivers are durable: urbanization, hygiene awareness, female workforce participation, and hotel and restaurant industry growth.
Who are the main tissue producers?
The global tissue market is concentrated among a handful of integrated players. Essity (Sweden, ex-SCA Hygiene) and Kimberly-Clark (US) lead the global branded market. Procter and Gamble produces premium tissue under Charmin and Bounty. WEPA dominates European private-label supply. China's Hengan and APP Tissue lead Asian production. Latin American supply is led by CMPC and Softys.
Mill capacity is capital-intensive. A modern TAD tissue machine costs €250 to €400 million and produces 60,000 to 75,000 tonnes per year.
What certifications apply to tissue?
FSC and PEFC cover forestry. EU Ecolabel and Blue Angel cover broader environmental performance including water use, energy, and emissions. ISO 22000 food safety applies to tissue that contacts food (napkins, kitchen towels). Dermatological certifications like Ecarf and Dermatest apply to facial tissue and moisturizing tissue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TAD tissue and conventional tissue?
TAD (through-air-dried) tissue is dried by hot air blown through the wet sheet, producing a bulkier, softer product. Conventional wet-press tissue is pressed and Yankee-dried, producing a flatter, cheaper product. TAD accounts for premium brands like Charmin Ultra Soft. Conventional accounts for most private-label and AFH tissue.
What GSM is toilet paper?
Individual plies run 13 to 18 g/m². Consumer toilet paper is typically 2-ply (30 to 34 g/m² total) or 3-ply (45 g/m² total). AFH toilet paper is usually 1-ply at 17 to 22 g/m².
Why is tissue so much more expensive than other paper per tonne?
Tissue machines run at lower production rates than commodity paper machines. TAD energy cost is high. Virgin eucalyptus pulp is premium fiber. Finishing, embossing, and converting add steps absent in commodity grades. End result: tissue grades per tonne often sell at 2 to 3x the price of kraftliner.
Can tissue be recycled?
Not into new tissue in most markets. The fiber is too short and contaminated after use. Some industrial tissue uses recovered office paper as input. Consumer tissue after use goes to sewer or compost, not paper recovery.
What is AFH tissue?
Away-from-home tissue: toilet paper, towels, napkins, and wipers used in commercial settings. Hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and offices are the main buyers. AFH tissue is typically cheaper and less soft than consumer tissue, with different roll diameters for industrial dispensers.
What is bamboo tissue?
Tissue made from bamboo pulp instead of wood pulp. Bamboo fiber is a fast-growing alternative with a shorter cultivation cycle (3 to 5 years vs 25+ for softwood). Quality is acceptable for toilet paper. The main growth market is direct-to-consumer sustainable brands.