EDANA Urges EU to Exclude US Fluff Pulp From Duties

EDANA, the leading association representing the nonwovens and related industries—including manufacturers of baby diapers, menstrual care, and incontinence products—has raised concerns about the European Commission’s potential countermeasures in response to recent US tariffs. One such measure could include duties on US-origin fluff pulp, a critical raw material in absorbent hygiene products (AHPs).

Fluff pulp (CN code 47032100) is essential to the health, dignity, and daily wellbeing of millions of Europeans—from newborns to elderly citizens. It is used in 90% of AHPs due to its unique absorbent properties. The US accounts for over 80% of global fluff pulp production, making it virtually irreplaceable due to the absence of alternative suppliers that meet both volume and regulatory requirements.

If duties are applied, manufacturers would face significantly increased costs, likely leading to higher retail prices for vital hygiene products. This would place undue financial pressure on families—particularly the most vulnerable—amid ongoing inflation. Additionally, EU manufacturers could face a competitive disadvantage against non-EU exporters who wouldn’t bear the same cost burden, putting industry jobs and long-term resilience at risk.

EDANA calls on EU policymakers to exclude fluff pulp from the list of retaliatory measures, citing the urgent need to protect consumer access to essential hygiene items and preserve the integrity of European manufacturing.

EDANA Chief Comment:
“These products—whether for infants, women, or the elderly—are not luxuries, but essentials. Disrupting their supply chain could have widespread social and economic impacts. We urge the EU to keep fluff pulp out of countermeasure plans.”

EDANA, with over 260 members, has represented the nonwovens industry since 1971, supporting sustainability, stewardship, and regulatory compliance.