Raw Material Price Update 2026: How SAP, Fluff Pulp and Adhesives Are Reshaping Diaper Manufacturing

Introduction

In the first half of 2026, global crude oil markets experienced a rollercoaster driven by geopolitical risk. Brent crude averaged $96.68 per barrel in 2026, up 44.9% year‑on‑year and 23.3% quarter‑on‑quarter. At its peak, prices topped $120 per barrel. While they have since eased, the damage to the petrochemical supply chain has already been done—and it is now feeding directly into the cost of disposable diapers.

Why should diaper buyers care? Because nearly every component of a disposable diaper is connected to the petroleum industry. From the super absorbent polymer (SAP) that locks moisture away to the hot melt adhesives that hold layers together, crude oil is the invisible thread running through the entire manufacturing process.

This report breaks down which raw materials are affected, why prices are increasing, and what buyers can do to protect their margins.

Why Are Diaper Raw Material Prices Rising?

The price increases follow a clear cause‑and‑effect chain:

The Direct Impact

Acrylic acid—the key feedstock for SAP—is derived from propylene, which comes from crude oil. When oil prices rise, propylene becomes more expensive, acrylic acid production costs increase, and SAP prices follow.

Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBC)—the base material for most hot melt adhesives—are also petrochemical derivatives. As oil prices climbed in early 2026, adhesive manufacturers faced mounting cost pressures.

Polyethylene (PE)—used for diaper backsheets and packaging films—is another direct derivative of crude oil. European PE prices surged significantly in  2026, and Chinese LLDPE film prices rose to approximately 7,933 RMB/ton in July 2026, up 6.6% year‑on‑year.

The Indirect Impact

Even materials that are not petroleum‑based—like fluff pulp—are affected. Wood pulp itself comes from forests, but its price is influenced by:

• Transportation costs—shipping pulp across oceans requires fuel

• Energy costs—pulp mills run on electricity and heat

• Chemical costs—bleaching and processing pulp relies on petrochemicals

• Logistics disruptions—supply chain bottlenecks increase lead times and costs

Which Raw Materials Are Affected?

SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer)

SAP prices are under significant upward pressure. In India, SAP averaged $1.78/kg in 2026, up 6.0% from 2025. The primary driver is acrylic acid—the cost of glacial acrylic acid at major Asian ports has risen approximately 12–15% compared to late 2025.

Industry sources indicate that SAP prices have risen substantially, driven by the near‑doubling of acrylic acid costs. One analysis suggests SAP costs have climbed 20–28% due to higher acrylic acid and methanol prices, compounded by supply shortages.

Methanol—a key precursor for SAP—faces additional supply risks, as Iran is responsible for 50% of global methanol exports. Any disruption in methanol supply could push SAP costs even higher.

Hot Melt Adhesives

In March 2026, Henkel China informed customers that raw material procurement costs had exceeded controllable limits and announced a 20% price increase effective March 17. The increase applies across all products supplied to hygiene manufacturers.

H.B. Fuller followed suit, implementing a global price adjustment across its adhesive portfolio to offset a 12% increase in raw material and logistics expenses recorded during 2026.

With the global adhesives for hygiene products market valued at $2.33 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $3.34 billion by 2032, these price increases will have a sustained impact on diaper manufacturing costs.

PE Film (Backsheet & Packaging)

European PE prices surged significantly in 2026. In China, LLDPE film prices rose to approximately 7,933 RMB/ton in July 2026, up 6.6% year‑on‑year. Specialized diaper components—including PE films—have seen actual price increases ranging from 8% to 18%.

Nonwoven (Topsheet)

US nonwoven fabric prices averaged $1.98/kg in 2026, up 4.2% from 2025. Firmer polypropylene feedstock costs from Middle East propylene supply disruptions elevated production expenses.

In China, PP‑based spunbond nonwovens—the primary material for diaper topsheets and backsheets—have risen 36.97% since March, from ¥6,663 to ¥9,127 per ton.

Fluff Pulp

Fluff pulp prices have climbed to $2,090‑2,140 per tonne in 2026.

In June 2026, major producers announced significant increases:

• Domtar raised fluff pulp prices by $45 per tonne

• RYAM announced increases of $55‑120 per tonne worldwide

The fluff pulp market is projected to grow from $11.4 billion in 2025 to $12.56 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 10.2%.

Unlike petroleum‑based materials, fluff pulp price increases are driven by:

1. Transportation costs—shipping heavy pulp bales across oceans requires fuel

2. Energy costs—pulp mills are energy‑intensive

3. Chemical costs—bleaching and processing pulp relies on petrochemicals

4. Supply discipline—mill shutdowns have reduced supply

How Much Could OEM Costs Increase?

Based on current market trends, the combined increase in SAP, adhesives, transportation, and energy costs has pushed the overall manufacturing cost of disposable diapers up by approximately 15–20%.

What This Means for Unit Costs

With SAP and adhesives both seeing significant price increases, and with transportation and energy costs adding further pressure, OEMs have had to adjust pricing.

• Daio Paper announced price increases of at least 15% on all household and commercial products, including the Goo.n diaper brand

• OEM factory gate prices have risen 10‑15%

• Experts project retail prices may rise 3‑8%

Kimberly‑Clark warned of an additional $150‑170 million in input expenses if oil prices remain elevated.

Some manufacturers have also adopted "shrinkflation"—the same price for a smaller pack—as a strategy to pass on costs without raising retail prices.

What Does This Mean for Private Label Buyers?

If you are launching a new diaper brand, developing premium diapers, or importing from China, the current raw material environment demands a different approach.

Do This Now

✅ Lock material prices early

Suppliers are quoting on a "price at order" basis. Secure pricing windows as early as possible. One industry source noted: "Prices change daily—all quotes are based on the final order date."

✅ Confirm quotation validity periods

Many suppliers are shortening quotation validity from 30 days to 7‑14 days. Don't assume a quote will hold.

✅ Optimize SAP ratio

Higher SAP content drives higher cost. Work with your OEM partner to find the optimal balance between absorbency performance and material cost.

✅ Review packaging specifications

Packaging materials—especially PE films and cardboard—have also increased. Consider lighter packaging or alternative designs.

✅ Build inventory before peak seasons

If prices are expected to rise further, securing production slots and inventory in advance may lock in lower costs.

How Elintree Helps Customers Reduce Cost Risks

At Elintree, we don't just absorb cost increases—we help customers navigate them.

Stable Raw Material Procurement

We maintain long‑term partnerships with leading suppliers:

• SAP — Sumitomo, BASF, and other Tier 1 suppliers

• Fluff pulp — Weyerhaeuser and other certified mills

• Hot melt adhesives — Henkel, H.B. Fuller

These relationships give us better visibility into price trends and, in some cases, more stable pricing than spot market buyers.

Flexible Product Engineering

Every product can be adjusted within budget constraints:

• SAP ratio — balancing absorbency and cost

• Core weight — optimizing grammage for performance

• Core structure — fluff, composite, or hybrid options

• Packaging — right‑sizing for cost efficiency

Cost Optimization Without Sacrificing Quality

We don't cut corners. We optimize:

• Core design — better distribution of SAP for the same performance

• Material combination — using the right material for each layer

• Compression technology — thinner cores = less material = lower cost

• Logistics — container optimization to reduce shipping cost per unit

Future Outlook

Short‑Term (Next 3‑6 Months)

• If geopolitical tensions remain high and crude oil stays elevated, SAP and adhesive prices are likely to continue rising

• If logistics improve and inventory levels increase, prices may stabilize

• Fluff pulp — supply discipline will likely keep prices firm; any relief depends on mill restarts

The ongoing Middle East conflict has already caused the first true blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 25% of global seaborne oil trade. Even after conflicts ease, supply chains take time to recover. One analysis noted: "Considering that some oil fields in the Middle East take time to resume production and the Strait of Hormuz takes time to fully reopen, we expect Brent oil prices to fluctuate around $70‑80 per barrel in the second half of 2026".

What Buyers Should Do

Don't wait until costs rise further. Planning your sourcing strategy early can help secure more stable pricing and production schedules. The OEM manufacturers that offer flexible engineering, stable supplier relationships, and cost‑optimization expertise will be the ones that help brands weather this period.

Looking for a Diaper OEM Partner That Understands Cost Pressure?

Elintree combines 14+ years of manufacturing experience with a deep understanding of raw material markets. We help brands and private label buyers navigate cost volatility through:

• Transparent quoting — no hidden cost surprises

• Flexible product engineering — optimizing within your budget

• Stable supplier relationships — better pricing visibility

• 15 production lines — 50‑80 million pieces monthly capacity

• Full certifications — ISO, CE, FDA, OEKO‑TEX, SGS

📧 Contact our OEM team – sales@elintree.com
🌐 Website – www.elintree.com
💬 WhatsApp – +86 153 5927 3309

Plan ahead. Partner with a manufacturer that understands cost pressure.