U.S. Demand for Consumer, Industrial Wipes to Rise 4.5%/Yr through 2014
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U.S. Demand for wipes, both consumer and industrial, is forecast to increase 4.5% annually to $2.3 billion in 2014. Wipes will continue to benefit from features such as ease-of-use, disposability, portability, and reduced risk of cross-contamination, according to a new Freedonia Group report titled Wipes, which MarketResearch.com, Rockville, Md., USA, has added to its collection of House & Home market reports. Nevertheless, growth will decelerate from rates achieved during the 2004 to 2009 period due to increasing market maturity and a shift in preferences to more environmentally friendly consumer goods and cleaning methods. In response to the "green" trend, wipes manufacturers will continue to develop more environmentally friendly products, such as those that are biodegradable, the report notes.
Convenience, consumer acceptance and innovation will remain driving forces in the consumer market, with household cleaning, hand and body, and a number of other, small volume consumer wipes projected to register the strongest gains. Growth in household care wipes, such as general purpose disinfectant wipes, will be propelled by the appeal of one-step, disposable wipes that provide a quick and convenient format for household cleaning chores. These wipes also offer a fast and easy cleaning alternative for consumers with little free time.
Hand and body wipes, such as bathroom hygiene and general purpose bathing, will enjoy increased market penetration. For example, the concept of wet bathroom tissue as part of a standard bathroom routine is gaining acceptance. General purpose bathing wipes are also gaining acceptance among individuals who are bedridden or find it difficult to enter and exit a bathtub. Nevertheless, baby wipes will remain the top selling type of consumer wipe. Demand for baby wipes will continue to suffer due to market maturity, as well as continued replacement by newer, task-specific wipes in non-diaper applications, where baby wipes once enjoyed considerable popularity.
After suffering from slower sales during the recession that began in December 2007, the industrial wipes market will benefit from a rebound in manufacturing activity through 2014, the new report continues. As such, wipes geared towards the manufacturing market are projected to achieve the most rapid gains through the forecast period. In addition to a more favorable economic climate, demand for industrial wipes will benefit from new product innovations and expanding applications. Among industrial wipes, manufacturing and health care types will remain the largest segments, with special purpose products such as clean room and surface preparation.
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