The tissues sector has boomed over the last few years. With a move to more luxurious tissue paper and ultra absorbent paper towels the industry has been able to increase the tissue prices and create new brands to retain consumers. Add to this growing market in developing countries and a drive to innovate, and there are very positive signals for the future of tissues. The tissue segment has become one of the most important segments of the paper industry in developed countries. It produces one of the most highly valued and appreciated, though not necessarily talked about, paper products.
Tissue paper or simply tissue is a lightweight paper or, light crêpe paper. Tissue can be made both from virgin and recycled paper pulp. Tissue papers are the most common thing that we use in our daily life from cleaning, dusting, wrapping and personal use.
As far as the history of tissue paper industry goes, although paper had been known as a wrapping and padding material in China since the 2nd century BC, the first use of toilet paper in human history dates back to the 6th century AD, in early medieval China. If we could travel back in time to , we would encounter a Chinese emperor who demanded the first paper sheets sliced to be placed in his outhouse. The first &#;official&#; toilet paper was introduced in China measuring a whopping 2 ft X 3 ft each.
An important move towards the production and distribution of modern toilet tissue paper came from a teacher in Philadelphia in . Concerned about a mild cold epidemic in her classroom, she blamed it on the fact that all students used the same cloth towel. She proceeded to cut up paper into squares to be used by her class as individual towels, a revolutionary idea. Arthur Scott of Scott Paper Company heard about this teacher and decided he would try to sell the carload of paper. He perforated the thick paper into small towel-size sheets and sold them as disposable paper towels. Later he renamed the product Sani-Towel and sold them to hotels, restaurants, and railroad stations for use in public washrooms.
In , Scott introduced the first paper towel for the kitchen and created a whole new grocery category. He made perforated rolls of "towels" thirteen inches wide and eighteen inches long. That is how paper towels were born. It was to take many years, however, before they gained acceptance and replaced cloth towels for kitchen use.
Production of the tissue paper
Tissue paper is produced on a paper machine that has a single large steam heated drying cylinder (yankee dryer) fitted with a hot air hood. The raw material is paper pulp. The yankee cylinder is sprayed with adhesives to make the paper stick. Creping is done by the yankee's &#;doctor blade&#; that is scraping the dry paper off the cylinder surface. The crinkle (creping) is controlled by the strength of the adhesive, geometry of the doctor blade, speed difference between the yankee and final section of the paper machine and paper pulp characteristics.
The highest water absorbing applications are produced with a through air drying (TAD) process. These papers contain high amounts of NBSK and CTMP. This gives a bulky paper with high wet tensile strength and good water holding capacity. The TAD process uses about twice the energy compared with conventional drying of paper.
The properties are controlled by pulp quality, creping and additives (both in base paper and as coating). The wet strength is often an important parameter for tissue paper.
Applications of tissue paper
Tissue paper has number of applications and they come in number of varieties such as hygienic tissues, facial tissues, paper towels, wrapping tissues, toilet tissues, table napkins etc.
Gayetty's paper, first introduced in , was available as late as the s. Gayetty's Medicated Paper was sold in packages of flat sheets, watermarked with the inventor's name. Seth Wheeler of Albany, New York, obtained the earliest United States patents for toilet paper and dispensers, the types of which eventually were in common usage in that country, in . Moist toilet paper was first introduced in the United Kingdom by Andrex in the s and in the United States by Kimberly-Clark in (in lieu of bidets which are rare in those countries).
With so many varieties available, tissue industry is growing leaps and bounds. Out of the world's estimated production of 21 million tonnes of tissue, Europe produces approximately 6 million tonnes tissue every year.
The European tissue market is worth approximately 10 billion Euros annually and is growing at a rate of around 3%. The European market represents around 23% of the global market. In North America, people are consuming around three times as much tissue as in Europe. In Europe, the industry is represented by The European Tissue Symposium (ETS), a trade association. The members of ETS represent the majority of tissue paper producers throughout Europe and about 90% of total European tissue production. ETS was founded in and is based in Brussels since .
Finally, the paper tissue industry, along with the rest of the paper manufacturing sector, has worked hard to minimise its impact on the environment. Recovered fibres now represent some 46.5% of the paper industry&#;s raw materials. The industry relies heavily on biofuels (about 50% of its primary energy) and it is highly energy-efficient. EDANA, the trade body for the non-woven absorbent hygiene products industry (which includes products such as household wipes for use in the home) has reported annually on the industry&#;s environmental performance since . The industry&#;s impact on the environment is in fact, relatively small.
All in all, the tissue sector continues to be a growth industry worldwide, offering new opportunities for companies to expand. Recently, there has been a great deal of interest, in particular, in the use of recovered fibres to manufacture new tissue paper products. However, whether this is actually better for the environment than using new fibres is open to question.
Which Material is Best for Tissue Paper? These Tips Will Teach You How to Choose Good Tissue Paper
Toilet paper is one of the essential items for every household, and choosing a highly practical one is important for everyone. So, what kind of tissue paper has the best quality?
How should one choose tissue paper?
1. Does the Price Determine the Quality of Tissue Paper?
Tissue paper is categorized into three grades: premium, first-class, and qualified. Their softness, absorbency, and toughness vary. Premium grade is the best, followed by first-class, and qualified is the lowest. Many indicators of qualified grade do not even reach half of those of the first-class grade, making it naturally cheaper.
2. The Difference Between 100% Virgin Pulp and 100% Pure Wood Pulp
Virgin wood pulp paper uses new raw materials, whereas pure wood pulp paper may include recycled or regenerated second-hand materials. The cheaper the paper, the poorer the disinfection environment. If recycled paper is used, the quality is predictably low.
3. Is Whiter Tissue Paper Better?
Normal tissue paper colors should be ivory white or natural white. Extremely white tissue paper may contain fluorescent agents, making it unqualified. Long-term use can easily cause health issues.
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4. Are Scented and Printed Tissues Safe?
Scented and printed tissues are best used only for wiping hands, as they contain pigments and fragrances that, if used to wipe the mouth, can easily enter the body and impact health.
5. What is the Shelf Life of Tissue Paper?
The shelf life of tissue paper is generally 2 to 3 years. Once opened, tissue paper is exposed to the air and susceptible to bacteria from all directions. To ensure safe use, it should be used within three months of opening. If not used up, leftover tissue can be used to wipe glass or furniture.
6. Do Not Mix Use Toilet Paper and Napkins
Toilet paper, commonly known as toilet tissue, is primarily used in the bathroom and has lower material and bacterial standards than napkins, making it unsuitable for wiping the mouth or face. Additionally, toilet paper disintegrates easily in water and can be flushed, unlike paper napkins which do not meet these criteria.
Methods to Determine the Quality of Tissue Paper
1. Touch Feel
Good tissue paper has a high wood pulp content, making it feel fine and soft, and it does not easily shed powder or lint. Inferior tissue paper feels hard, loose, and easily sheds powder or lint.
2. Compare Toughness
Take a piece of virgin wood pulp tissue, and pull it slightly. It will show wrinkles but will not break. Poor-quality tissue, with low wood pulp content and poor toughness, will tear easily with a little force.
3. Observe Burning Behavior
Tissue paper with excessive fluorescent agents will leave white or black ash when burned, while normal, qualified tissue paper will burn to a natural gray ash.
4. Test Soak State
Good tissue paper has high density and toughness, remaining intact and not easily deformed or loosened even when soaked in water.
Industry Insights
Sustainability Trends
The tissue paper industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability and environmental impact. Manufacturers are adopting eco-friendly practices such as using recycled materials and sustainable sourcing. Bamboo pulp tissue is gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood pulp, as bamboo grows faster and requires fewer resources.
Technological Advancements
Advancements in production technology have led to the creation of tissue papers that are both soft and strong without the need for harmful chemicals. Technologies such as advanced pulping and bleaching methods ensure that the final product is free from chlorine and other harmful substances, making them safer for both users and the environment.
Health and Safety Standards
There is a growing emphasis on health and safety standards in the tissue paper industry. Premium brands now ensure that their products are hypoallergenic, free from dyes and fragrances, and suitable for sensitive skin. Regulatory bodies are also imposing stricter guidelines to ensure that tissue papers meet safety standards, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring high hygiene levels.
Market Dynamics
The global tissue paper market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing awareness of hygiene and sanitation. The rise in disposable income and changing lifestyles, particularly in emerging economies, has led to higher demand for high-quality tissue paper products. This growth is accompanied by increased competition among brands, leading to better quality and innovation in products.
Consumer Preferences
Consumers are becoming more discerning and knowledgeable about the products they use. There is a noticeable shift towards products that are not only effective but also environmentally responsible. Brands that offer transparency about their sourcing and manufacturing processes, and that highlight their commitment to sustainability, are gaining consumer trust and loyalty.
By understanding these industry trends and insights, consumers can make more informed choices about the tissue paper they purchase, ensuring they select products that meet their needs while also supporting environmental sustainability and health standards.
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