Innovative Manufacturing Techniques In The Facial Tissue Industry

Facial tissues have become a staple in every office, household, and public space. But have you ever wondered how these soft, absorbent sheets are made and how the facial tissue industry is keeping up with the growing consumer demand?

Facial tissues are disposable alternatives to cloth handkerchiefs. These tissues are made from wood pulp or recycled paper through different processes. The traditional facial tissue production process is inefficient and costly. This has led to various facial tissue paper industry innovations.

Facial tissue manufacturers are adopting innovative manufacturing techniques courtesy of which they have improved efficiency, lowered costs, and reduced environmental impact. Let’s analyze advanced facial tissue manufacturing techniques employed by companies.

Advanced Pulp Processing

Pulp processing is a crucial step in facial tissue production. Recent advancements in pulp processing have improved fiber refinements while reducing energy consumption.

Companies like Kimberly-Clark are replacing harsher chemical processes with new enzyme-assisted treatments and eco-friendly bleaching methods. Courtesy of this, they are enable to create softer, stronger, and more sustainable tissue paper.

Automated Facial Tissue Production

Just like other industries, automation has penetrated its roots deep in facial tissue production. Companies like SCA Hygiene are now employing robotic systems to handle various stages of facial tissue production, right from raw material handling to packaging.

Robotic systems ensure higher precision and faster throughput. They also have the tendency to reduce human errors and enhance consistency in the final product. Many companies also employ automated systems for quality control, thereby ensuring that each facial tissue meets stringent standards.

Sustainable Raw Materials

The facial tissue industry is witnessing a transition towards sustainable tissue production practices. Many companies are opting for sustainable raw materials like bamboo fibers, bagasse, sugarcane, and recycled paper instead of conventional wood pulp.

Bamboo, in particular, is becoming an ideal alternative to wood pulp. This is mostly due to its quick growth rate and low environmental impact. Certain companies are also using post-consumer waste paper to woo eco-conscious consumers and contribute to a circular economy.

Smart Facial Tissue Manufacturing

Many facial tissue manufacturers, including Onepaper and Zarrinayand, are embracing smart manufacturing and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve their production processes. These advanced technologies significantly improve efficiency and product quality by enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Eco-friendly Tissue Manufacturing

Facial tissue companies are constantly looking to shift towards waterless production process to reduce water consumption. They are also adopting energy-efficient machinery and green energy sources like solar, biofuels, and wind power to lower their carbon footprint.

Advanced Tissue Formation Technology

Some manufacturers, including Procter & Gamble (P&G), use advanced forming technologies to enhance the softness and absorbency of facial tissues. 3D embossing machines are being used to create unique tissue textures, while through-air drying (TAD) allows for a softer and more absorbent product.

TAD, unlike conventional drying, delivers a tissue that is both highly absorbent and luxuriously soft by preserving the natural structure of fibers. Companies are looking to further optimize TAD systems for better energy recovery and lower emissions.

Recycled Packaging Solutions

Rising consumer demand for sustainability is prompting facial tissue brands to shift towards eco-friendly packaging. They are exploring sustainable packaging solutions to attract eco-conscious customers.

Companies like Seventh Generation are shifting their preference from plastic to paper-based packaging. They use sustainable packaging for their facial tissue products. Some facial tissue manufacturers also use minimalist packaging designs that use fewer resources.

The facial tissue industry is constantly adopting advanced technologies and sustainable practices to enhance overall efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Automation, smart manufacturing, and sustainable materials are allowing companies to create high-quality tissues while reducing costs and environmental impact.

Quality control in tissue production is becoming crucial. Companies are employing new facial tissue making machines to improve their product quality and reduce costs. They also use different marketing strategies to convey their commitment to sustainability and innovation. This will likely boost growth of the facial tissue industry.

According to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), the global facial tissue industry size is set to total US$ 21.96 billion in 2030. Global demand for facial tissues will likely increase at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2023 and 2030.