Applications

Baby diapers, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products would be incomplete without superabsorbents that ensure that fluid is safely locked away and that skin and clothes remain dry and clean.

They are true high-tech products that, over the years, have become more comfortable, thinner and more absorbent. The main reason lies in the use of innovative superabsorbent polymers.

With their help it has been possible to develop thinner diapers that not only keep babies dry for a longer time, offer more freedom of movement and due to material savings even contribute to sustainability.

We offer optimized products for a wide range of diaper cores, from high to low fluff content with a high absorption capacity, permeability and absorbency under load. 

World Facts

• About 370,000 babies are born every day, 40% currently start life in a disposable diaper.
• Emerging markets: full market penetration mean 5 diapers per day till the age of 2.5 years. Today some babies live with max. one diaper a day.
• Developed markets: full market penetration mean 5 diapers per day till the age of 2.5 years and 2 diapers per day till 3.5 years.

More and more people can afford to buy hygiene products

• China: Real GDP/capita growth is at around 5,5% per year, Urbanisation rate (currently 60%) is strongly increasing
• India: Real GDP/capita growth of 5,5% per year, number of middle-income earners is expanding rapidly at 30% a year on average
• Brazil: number of middle-class households already increased dramatically within last 10 year

Consumption patterns for hygiene products can vary greatly among emerging markets because of culture, religion, climate etc.

• While e.g. disposable baby diapers are already widely used in Latin America, only a very small number of Indian babies get to see one
  
• Even within a country there can be significant differences: In China open crotch pants are common in rural areas but hardly in cities like Shanghai or Hong Kong

Incontinence products

In industrialized nations life expectancy is continuously rising and societies are aging. This results in many challenges and raises many questions such as: How do we ensure that older people enjoy a good quality of life?

This involves dealing with the important issue of incontinence. Frequently the people concerned feel embarrassed; they avoid being close to other people as they fear that someone may smell the urine, or they hardly drink any water before they leave their homes because they are afraid that their pads might overflow.

Market studies

Market studies have shown that incontinence products must, above all, fulfill two criteria:

• They need to absorb large quantities of urine safely and discreetly.
• They need to prevent odor effectively. Only discreet and reliable incontinence pads and underwear allow their wearers to lead an active social life.

BASF’s HySorb^® Advanced Odor Control has been specifically developed to meet these requirements. Its excellent absorption performance keeps the skin dry, maintains a neutral ph and allows the design of even thinner diapers. Furthermore, its innovative formula delays the formation of urine odor from ammonia for up to nine hours, providing a new level of confidence and comfort for people with incontinence.

More Information about BASF’s HySorb^® Advanced Odor Control

World Facts

• Today's global market penetration is 22%. 
• Adult incontinence products will reach penetration 26% by 2020.
• Many affected people rather feminine care products instead of incontinence products.

Feminine hygiene products

World Facts