As markets for tissue paper and hygiene products in traditional regions continue to face economic hurdles, ranging from established markets and slowing population growth to reduced infrastructure investment, nonwovens producers indeed, manufacturers in every global industry are turning to more challenging, but potentially more rewarding, emerging markets as their targets for growth.

Producers are already responding by either expanding their manufacturing and distribution into these emerging market countries or entering into joint venture partnerships with local companies that already have a presence in these regions.

While the traditional developed regions of the world continue to consume tissue paper and hygiene products in static numbers, it is actually the emerging markets of Africa and the Middle East, among others, which offer growth potential for the industry.

These emerging markets are attractive for tissue paper and hygiene products, both in terms of selling their products to consumers as well as locating manufacturing facilities in these regions.

Egypt is a Country of Great Economy Diversity

As a primary transit point for trade flows to and from Africa, Egypt acts as a natural hub for traders looking to enter or expand into important markets such as Libya, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and South Africa.  In addition, Egypt is the main gateway into Gulf countries ‘markets as well.

Egypt is self-sufficient in the production of tissue and toilet paper with total annual domestic tissue paper production 40,000 MT.

Egypt is one of the top 10 tissue paper exporters, and MENA’s largest producer of jumbo rolls at 200,000 tp/y

The quality of tissue paper has improved in Egypt and now 37% of total production is exported to the Gulf and the African countries.

Sales of Tissue and Hygiene Products is Continuing to Grow

Egypt provides a significant number of new potential users of disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products with current population is estimated to be approximately 90 million people with 23% birth rate.

Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria account for 75% of the African tissue consumption.

Africa

Africa is a region of great diversity, looking forward the long term prospects for the market is clearly favourable.

The more the increase in health awareness and education levels, the higher Tissue, toilet paper, sanitary and hygiene demand is in the African markets 

Africa is the second-largest and second most populous continent on earth with an estimated population of 1.033 billion peoplein 2013.

Africa shows positive developments with African tissue consumption growth reached 5.9% in 2012.

Africa’s rapid growth in demand in these countries is driving the tissue and hygiene products industries investments in the entire supply chain raw materials, machines, roll goods and end products.

This Should Trigger an Increase in Production and Imports.