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Germany
DE WZ C17.22DE | Industry Report

Sanitary Product Manufacturing in Germany Industry Data and Analysis

RM
Robert Maier
Analyst Frankfurt, Germany August 2025

The industry for the manufacture of household and hygiene articles made of paper has remained largely stable over the past five years, but has recorded a slight decline in turnover. Since 2020, turnover in the sector has fallen by an average of 0.2% per year. This slight decline in sales can be explained by the strong competition within the industry and the high market power of important customer groups in the retail sector. The profit margins of many players in the energy-intensive sector have become increasingly negative over the past five years due to events such as the energy price increases triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The trend of rising costs for key raw materials such as pulp also contributed to this.

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What's included in this industry analysis

IBISWorld's research coverage on the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2015-2030. The most recent publication was released August 2025.

About this industry

What's this industry report about?

The Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany operates under the WZ industry code C17.22DE. The paper-based household and sanitary products industry comprises the production of household and sanitary products made from various types of pulp or waste paper. Important products in the industry include toilet and kitchen paper, paper towels, tissues, paper tablecloths and napkins, tissues for bags and make-up removal, tampons, sanitary towels and nappies. Related terms covered in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany include fast-moving consumer goods, cellulose material and tissue paper.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany include Toilet paper, Paper towels and Nappies.

What companies are included in this industry?

Companies covered in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany include Essity AB, Wepa SE and Sofidel Germany GmbH.

Performance

What's included in the Performance chapter?

The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany.

Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.

Products & Markets

What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?

The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed product and service segmentation, analysis of major markets and international trade data for the for the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany.

Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.

Geographic Breakdown

What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?

The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany.

Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.

Competitive Forces

What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?

The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.

Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.

Companies

What's included in the Companies chapter?

The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.

Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.

External Environment

What's included in the External Environment chapter?

The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.

Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.

Financial Benchmarks

What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?

The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.

Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.

Industry Data

What's included in the Industry Data chapter?

The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the market size of the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2026?

The market size of the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany is €7.0bn in 2026.

How many businesses are there in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2025?

There are 86 businesses in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2020 and 2025.

How may import tariffs affect the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany is likely to be significantly impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany is likely to be significantly impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.

Has the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany are Essity AB, Wepa SE and Sofidel Germany GmbH

What does the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany include?

Toilet paper and Paper towels are part of the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany is Essity AB.

How competitive is the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry in Germany.

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