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Where Does the Cost of a Sanitary Napkin Go? (Top Sheet, Core, Packaging)
Where Does the Cost of a Sanitary Napkin Go?
Top Sheet – The Layer That Touches the Skin
The top sheet is the uppermost material of a sanitary napkin, the part that contacts the skin directly. We use thermally bonded nonwoven fabric made from food grade polypropylene. The cost of a roll of top sheet depends on its basis weight and softness. Higher basis weight means thicker material and higher cost. Greater softness requires more complex processing, which also increases the price. The difference between a standard top sheet and a premium cotton top sheet is 30% to 50%. The top sheet accounts for roughly 15% to 20% of the total cost of a sanitary napkin.
Core – The Absorbent Heart of the Product
The core is the most expensive component of a sanitary napkin. It consists of two materials: wood pulp and super absorbent polymer (SAP). The wood pulp quickly spreads liquid, and the SAP locks it in to prevent backflow. SAP costs several times more than wood pulp. A regular daytime sanitary napkin contains between 2 and 5 grams of SAP in its core. Higher absorbency means more SAP and higher cost. The core of an overnight extra long pad or a panty style pad costs 1.5 to 2 times more than a daytime pad. The core accounts for roughly 40% to 50% of the total cost of a sanitary napkin.
⭐ Packaging – Individual Wrapper, Outer Pouch, Shipping Carton
Packaging is the third major cost. Each sanitary napkin needs an individual wrapper made from foodgrade polyethylene film, which is heat sealed to protect against moisture and dust. The wrapper is printed with brand name, specifications, and usage instructions. More colors mean higher plate making fees and ink costs. Then comes the outer packaging: a soft plastic pouch or a paper carton. Paper cartons cost more than plastic pouches. Finally, there is the shipping carton. Packaging materials plus printing costs account for roughly 15% to 20% of the total cost of a sanitary napkin.
Other Costs – Labor, Electricity, Equipment Depreciation
The remaining costs include worker wages, electricity, equipment depreciation, quality control, and warehouse rent. These account for roughly 15% to 20% of the total. The main difference between factories is here: highly automated plants have lower labor costs but higher equipment depreciation; semi automated plants have higher labor costs but lower equipment depreciation.
Advice for Buyers
If you want to control the procurement cost of sanitary napkins, ask your supplier three questions first:
What material is the top sheet? Standard nonwoven or cotton?
How many grams of SAP are in the core?
Is the packaging a plastic pouch or a paper carton? How many colors are printed?
Our factory produces sanitary napkins from 180mm to 420mm. Different top sheets, different SAP content, and different packaging styles can all be made to your requirements. Samples and price quotes are always available. Tell me what specifications you need, and I will show you where the cost goes.