What are the different types of paper hand towels? Which is the best seller?
Paper towels are essential for drying hands after washing them, especially in public restrooms where hygiene is a priority. Paper towels can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, as well as provide comfort and convenience for users. However, not all paper towels are created equal. There are several common types of paper hand towels, with varying features, and folded towels tend to be the best sellers.
Types of paper hand towels
Paper hand towels can be classified into different types based on their shape and format. Some of the most common types are:
- Rolled towels: These are long sheets of paper that are wound around a core and dispensed from a roll. They can be perforated or non-perforated, and have different widths and lengths.
- Folded towels: These are individual sheets of paper that are folded in half or thirds and stacked in a dispenser. They can be single-ply or multi-ply, and have different sizes and colors.
- C-fold towels: These are a type of folded towel that have a C-shaped fold in the middle. They are usually thicker and more absorbent than other folded towels, but they can also be more expensive and bulky.
- Multifold towels: These are another type of folded towel that have multiple folds along the width. They are usually thinner and more compact than C-fold towels, but they can also be less absorbent and prone to tearing.
- Hardwound towels: These are similar to rolled towels, but they have a tighter and harder winding around the core. They are usually cheaper and more durable than rolled towels, but they can also be less soft and more wasteful.
Key features and pros/cons of each towel type
Each type of paper hand towel has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the key features that users look for. Some of the most important features are:
- Absorbency: This refers to how much water or liquid a paper towel can soak up. Absorbency is influenced by factors such as ply, material, texture, and embossing. Generally, thicker and softer paper towels have higher absorbency than thinner and harder ones.
- Strength: This refers to how well a paper towel can resist tearing or breaking when wet or dry. Strength is influenced by factors such as ply, material, bonding, and coating. Generally, multi-ply and hardwound paper towels have higher strength than single-ply and rolled ones.
- Eco-friendliness: This refers to how environmentally friendly a paper towel is in terms of production, consumption, and disposal. Eco-friendliness is influenced by factors such as material, source, process, biodegradability, and recyclability. Generally, paper towels made from recycled or renewable materials have higher eco-friendliness than those made from virgin or synthetic materials.
- Cost: This refers to how much money a paper towel costs per unit or per use. Cost is influenced by factors such as quality, quantity, size, brand, and packaging. Generally, cheaper paper towels have lower quality and higher quantity than more expensive ones.
Market share and sales data for top paper towel products
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global paper towel market size was valued at USD 12.75 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2020 to 2027. The report also states that folded towels dominate the market share with over 45% in 2019, followed by rolled towels with over 35%, hardwound towels with over 10%, and others with less than 10%.
Some of the leading folded towel brands in the market are Bounty, Sparkle, and Brawny. According to Statista, Bounty was the top selling paper towel brand in the United States in 2020 with sales of USD 1.09 billion, followed by Sparkle with USD 0.36 billion, and Brawny with USD 0.35 billion.
Reasons why folded towels are most popular
Folded towels are the most popular type of paper hand towel for several reasons. First, they offer a balance of absorbency, strength, cost, and eco-friendliness that suits most users’ needs and preferences. Second, they are more sanitary than rolled or hardwound towels because they reduce cross-contamination and overuse by dispensing one sheet at a time. Third, they fit most dispensers in many bathrooms because they have a standard size and shape that can be easily adjusted.
Conclusion
Paper hand towels are an important product for drying hands after washing them. There are different types of paper hand towels available in the market, such as rolled, folded, C-fold, multifold, and hardwound towels. Each type has its own features and pros/cons that affect its performance and popularity. Among these types, folded towels are the best sellers because they have a balanced combination of features, as well as a high level of hygiene and compatibility. Paper hand towels are not only useful for drying hands, but also for enhancing the quality and comfort of life.
