Increased demand for disposable textile products in Turkey

According to the latest report on the technical textile market subordinate to the textile information company of the Business Information Company, the demand for disposable hygiene products in Turkey has increased, providing opportunities for Turkish companies and foreign investors.

In mid-2012, Turkey had about 65 of its nonwovens producers, compared with 25 in 2000. In addition, during the five years to 2011, the production of non-woven fabrics in Turkey almost doubled, from 89,000 tons to 167,000 tons, and most of the production was part of the production of disposable hygiene products.

In 2010, the total amount of baby diapers that Turkey produced for the domestic market was estimated at 4 billion. In addition, there are 4 billion for low-cost exports, mainly exported to Eastern European countries, Iran, Iraq, North Africa and Syria. Total Turkish production accounts for about 6% of the world’s diaper consumption.

However, there are approximately 4.1 million children under the age of three in Turkey, and the market share of Turkish baby diapers is only 66%. In addition, Turkey’s market share in neighboring countries, the Middle East and North Africa, is significantly lower.

These figures show that Turkey has great growth potential. It is not surprising that the diaper manufacturing companies in Turkey have become the target of foreign investors.

Turkish products also have strong growth potential in other product areas, especially sanitary napkins. Turkey has 18 million women aged 15-45, and Turkey’s market share in this area is estimated at only 52%.

Turkey's elderly population is relatively small, and adult incontinence products have not yet formed an important market. However, Kimberly-Clark recently launched its flagship product in Turkey, which shows that the company’s interest in the Turkish market has gradually increased.

Now, a large portion of non-woven products in Turkey is exported to countries in the rapidly growing Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

However, the Middle East and North Africa are not the only regions of interest for Turkish manufacturing. Within a radius of only 2,000 miles, Turkey has entered most of the European market, and most of the Middle East and North Africa markets, Central Asia and parts of Russia have a total population of 1.5 billion.