A diaper is primarily made of cellulose, polypropylene, polyethylene and a super absorbent polymer, as well as minor amounts of tapes, elastics and adhesive materials. Small difference in raw materials will greatly affect the performance of diapers. Therefore, diaper manufacturers must be more careful when choosing raw materials. Here are a few internationally renowned diaper materials suppliers.
BASF
Establishment: 1865
Headquarter: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Website: basf.com
BASF SE is a German multinational chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. The company’s product portfolio includes Chemicals, Plastics, Performance Products, Functional Solutions, Agriculture Solutions, and Oil and Gas. It produces diaper materials such as SAP(super absorbent polymer), solvents, resins, glues, plastics, among others. BASF has customers in over 190 countries and supplies products to a wide variety of industries. In 2019, BASF posted sales of €59.3 billion, with an employee strength of 117,628 people.
3M Company
Establishment: 1902–2002
Headquarter: Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.
Website: www.3m.com
3M is an American multinational conglomerate corporation operating in the fields of industry, worker safety, US health care and consumer goods. It produces diaper material such as adhesives, cellulose,polypropylene, tapes, etc.. In 2018, the company made $32.8 billion in total sales, and ranked No. 95 in the Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Establishment: 1876
Headquarter: Düsseldorf, Germany
Website: www.henkel.com
Henkel is a German chemical and consumer goods company operating in the areas of adhesive technologies, beauty care and laundry & home care. Henkel is the world's number one adhesives producer, which is needed for diaper manufacturing. In 2018, the company generated annual revenue of €19.899 billion, with a total workforce of more than 53,000 employees and operation centers worldwide.
Sumitomo Chemical
Establishment: 1913
Headquarter: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/
Sumitomo Chemical is a major Japanese chemical company operating in the fields of Petrochemicals & Plastics Sector, Energy & Functional Materials Sector, IT-related Chemicals Sector, Health & Crop Sciences Sector, Pharmaceuticals Sector, Others. The company has many series of diaper materials for customers to choose. In 2020, Sumitomo Chemical posted capital of 89,699 million yen, with workforce of 33,586 employees.
Avery Dennison
Establishment: 1990
Headquarter: Glendale, California
Website: averydennison.com
Avery Dennison is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s product portfolio includes pressure-sensitive adhesive materials, apparel branding labels and tags, RFID inlays, and specialty medical products. The company is a member of Fortune 500 and employs more than 30,000 employees in over 50 countries. Reported sales in 2019 were $7.1 billion.
International Paper
Establishment: 1898
Headquarter: Memphis, Tennessee
Website: internationalpaper.com
International Paper is one of the world’s leading producers of fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper. The company creates quality cellulose fiber products suitable for a wide range of applications, including baby diapers, feminine care, adult incontinence and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness. Its innovative specialty pulps serve as a sustainable raw material across a variety of industries such as textiles, construction material, paints and coatings and more.