Tampons Market

Tampons Market – Overview

A tampon is a mass of material used to absorb menstrual blood during the menstrual cycle. A tampon is a form of absorbent material, primarily used as a feminine hygiene product.

Tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two materials. They are of various sizes and types. There are different types of applicators for the usage of tampons. Some of these types are cardboard applicator, plastic applicator, extendable applicator, and digital tampons.

In terms of usage, the applicator segment is expected to hold major share of the global tampons market during the forecast period. The segment is estimated to bring in revenues of nearly US$ 4.6 Bn by the end of 2020. Product innovation is one of the key factors pushing the demand for feminine hygiene products at the global level. Rise in demand for feminine hygiene products among the female population has led manufacturers to engage in extensive research and development in order to introduce new products that would cater to the growing needs and preferences of consumers. Changing lifestyle of women globally and rise in awareness about health among women are expected to drive the tampons market in the coming years.

A feminine hygiene product, tampon, is made to soak up the menstrual flow through its insertion into the vagina at the time of menstruation. Once it is placed accurately, a tampon is held properly in place by the vagina. Tampons expand as it starts absorbing menstrual blood. Most of the sold tampons are made from a blend of cotton or rayon or cloth. A cardboard or plastic applicator can be utilized for inserting the tampon directly into the vagina. Some come with fragrance and some without. Women mostly prefer tampons to sanitary pads, thanks to its hassle-free use and comfort. Unlike sanitary napkins, tampons can be used during swimming or at the time of any other physical activity. It is travel friendly as well. All these benefits are likely to back accelerated growth of the global tampons market in the years to come.

The global tampons market is observing growth following a substantial rise in the demand for innovative and new feminine hygiene products. In addition, the there has been a change in the lifestyle of women across the globe. More women are joining the workforce and leading a busy life. There has been an increased concern about the health of women, which is estimated to support development of the global tampons market in the years to come.

These days, women are more informed about the availability of a wide variety of feminine hygiene products. Increased consciousness about health and the environment amongst the women is likely to drive the demand for organic tampons. There are still untapped opportunities in several parts of the world, especially in Asia Pacific and MEA region, which is likely to present lucrative growth opportunities for the market in the near future. However, there are some challenges for the market. High cost of tampons and availability of economical options, such as sanitary pads are pose challenges for the expansion of the global tampons market in the years to come.

At the time of lockdown, increased importance and priority were given to essential products and its production. Tampons comprise an essential commodity, hence there was not much effect on the global tampons market.

There are two types of tampons: radially wound pledget and rectangular/square pad. Radially wound pledget tampons comprise a fibrous  band of cotton, which is rolled up like a ‘Swiss roll’ and then flattened to produce a tampon that expands mainly in the radial direction/widthwise.

The radially wound pledget segment held a major market share in 2016. Tampons are sold through two distribution channels: online and offline. The offline distribution channel is sub-divided into supermarket/hypermarket, independent retailers, specialty stores, and drug stores. In 2016, the supermarket and hypermarket segment held a prominent market share. Tampons are of different sizes such as mini, regular, and extra.

The global tampons market is estimated to expand at a significant growth rate between 2017 and 2025 due to the changing lifestyle of women and rise in awareness about health among women globally. Several countries across the globe are witnessing a significant demand for new and innovative feminine hygiene products. Women are looking for new products that are safe and comfortable to use. Tampons are sensation-less and offer more comfort to women as compared to other products, thereby improving consumer experience. This, in turn, is prompting more women to prefer tampons.

Over the last few years, companies have been introducing new and advanced products in the market. Women are inclined toward buying 100% organic cotton tampons to avoid phthalates, pesticide residues, azo-dyes, and dioxins, particularly in such an absorptive and sensitive part of the body.

The global tampon market can be segmented based on product, material, usage, size, distribution channel, and geography. Increased participation of women in the labor force has contributed to the rise in usage of different feminine hygiene products, especially tampons. The impact of this driver is expected to intensify by the end of the forecast period. In terms of geography, the tampons market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

North America held a significant share of the tampons market. As the behavior of consumers is changing, they are inclined toward buying new and advanced products.

Major players in the tampon market profiled in the report include Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), Bodywise (UK) Ltd, Corman SpA, Lil-Lets UK Limited, First Quality Enterprises Inc., Procter and Gamble Co., Johnson & Johnson Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Edgewell Personal Care Company, and Unicharm Corporation.