Disposable towel industry: 2024-2034 steady growth, future trends evident

According to analysis by YH Research, disposable towels are towels used for cleaning, wiping, and other purposes that are not reused after use. With advantages such as convenience and cleanliness, disposable towels have become increasingly popular with consumers in recent years.

Disposable towel industry analysis
I. Current industry status
In 2024, the global disposable towel market is expected to grow steadily at an annual growth rate of 0.93%, reaching a market size of approximately USD 16.73 billion. According to relevant report data, the market size is projected to increase to USD 21.92 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.05%. In the Chinese market, as consumers' awareness of personal and public hygiene continues to rise, disposable towels are being widely adopted in various settings such as households, hotels, gyms, and beauty salons. From a regional perspective, demand in developed economies like North America and Europe is particularly robust.

In settings such as hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, gyms, and camping, disposable towels are gradually replacing traditional reusable towels. For example, in 2024, thick cotton disposable towels accounted for 75% of the disposable towels purchased by a boutique homestay in Hangzhou; the Shanghai-based fitness chain brand “Lijian” has included disposable face towels in its membership service package. Notably, sales of travel-sized disposable towels surged by 142% year-on-year in 2024, making them the fastest-growing category in the outdoor products market.

In terms of industry competition, numerous brands are engaging in intense competition across dimensions such as product quality, price, and service, with the importance of brand building and marketing increasingly evident. Manufacturers are accelerating their布局 in differentiated market segments: Sanli has launched a hotel-specific four-piece set combining towels with bed sheets and pillowcases into a sterilization kit; Jieliyaya has developed beauty salon-grade products incorporating tea tree essential oil components into the fibers.

II. Future Trends
With the rise in environmental awareness and the development of the disposable products market, the disposable towel industry is facing new development opportunities, and will evolve toward being more environmentally friendly, comfortable, and convenient in the future.
Environmental sustainability is an important trend, with the industry increasingly focusing on the use of eco-friendly materials. Disposable towels made from renewable and biodegradable materials will become mainstream to reduce the environmental impact.

Intelligent technology is another development direction. With technological advancements, disposable towels may incorporate smart features such as built-in temperature control and humidity sensors to enhance user experience. Additionally, in response to growing consumer demand for personalized options, products will prioritize design and functional innovation to offer diverse choices.

In terms of market expansion, brand building and channel diversification will be key. In addition to relying on traditional offline channels for sales, companies will also leverage e-commerce platforms, social media, and other online channels to expand their market reach. As brand competition intensifies, companies must win consumer trust by improving product quality and optimizing services.
Under the backdrop of consumption upgrading, consumers' quality requirements for disposable towels are continuously increasing. The future market will see more high-quality products that have undergone strict disinfection. At the same time, production standards will become stricter to ensure product safety and eliminate hygiene risks.

In terms of application scenarios, disposable towels will further expand beyond traditional sectors such as hotels and gyms to penetrate more everyday life scenarios such as households, travel, and dining. Their convenient and hygienic characteristics will meet the needs of more consumers.

With the popularization of sustainable development concepts, the disposable towel industry will place greater emphasis on sustainable production. Companies will strive to reduce waste generation, actively explore recycling pathways for old products, and minimize resource waste during the production process.

Overall, driven by changing consumer demands and stricter environmental regulations, the disposable towel industry will continue to develop in the directions of environmental sustainability, intelligence, personalization, and high quality.

The above data can be found in the “2024 Global and China Disposable Towel Industry Leading Companies Market Share and Ranking Research Report” published by YH Research. YH Research provides in-depth industry research reports, business plans, feasibility studies, customized services, and other one-stop industry consulting services.