{"id":182228,"date":"2026-02-19T10:33:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T09:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magic-spa.com\/?p=182228"},"modified":"2026-08-26T15:53:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:53:44","slug":"industrially-compostable-certified-saps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magic-spa.com\/en\/industrially-compostable-certified-saps\/","title":{"rendered":"SAPs certified for industrial composting: designing the absorbent core between European regulation and performance requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The feminine hygiene market is undergoing a change in the materials it uses.<\/p>\n

Not because of a trend, but because of a combination of regulatory pressure, ESG requirements from the retailers,<\/strong><\/span> and demand for differentiated products<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

At the centre of this change is SAP – superabsorbent polymer<\/strong><\/span> – the component that determines the performance of the absorbent core and that is now part of a transition from fossil-based sodium polyacrylate <\/strong><\/span>to\u00a0SAPs c<\/strong>ertified for industrial composting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For those designing absorbent cores, this means assessing alternatives with the same level of\u00a0the same level of attention that, until recently, was focused mainly on technical performance.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Market figures: volumes that\u00a0<\/strong>increase the impact of material choices<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]The global feminine hygiene market was valued at USD 45.56 billion in 2025<\/strong><\/span> and is projected to reach USD 85.81 billion by 2034<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Europe currently accounts for approximately USD 11.89 billion, with Western European consumers averaging more than 380 units per person per year<\/strong><\/span> in the 10\u201354 age group.<\/p>\n

At these consumption levels, even a relatively small change in core material can become relevant in supply-chain environmental assessments<\/strong><\/span> and can result in noticeable differences in the characteristics of the finished product.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

The regulatory framework: plastic labeling is already a reality<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Since July 3, 2021, Directive (EU) 2019\/904<\/strong><\/span> – the so-called SUP Directive – has required that the presence of plastic be indicated<\/strong> on the labelling of single-use products<\/strong><\/span>, including sanitary pads and tampons.
\nThe presence of sodium polyacrylate is no longer merely internal technical information, but something visible to consumers.<\/p>\n

At the same time, leading European retailers and distributors are incorporating environmental criteria into their supplier qualification processes, driven by the Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
\nFor manufacturers supplying private-label products or relying on structured large-scale retail channels, ESG requirements are no longer optional.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On the demand side, more than 20,000 respondents across 31 countries indicate an average willingness to pay 9.7% more<\/strong><\/span> for products accompanied by verifiable environmental information<\/strong><\/span>, and that is not an insignificant margin.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Traditional SAP vs. compostable SAP: a technical comparison<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Sodium polyacrylate<\/span> <\/strong>is the industry-standard SAP for well-established technical reasons: high absorbency, gel stability over time and compatibility with high-speed production lines.<\/p>\n

Its structural limitations are equally well known: its petrochemical origin<\/strong><\/span>, and end-of-life carachteristics production,\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>which need to be assessed within the specific application and LCA context.<\/p>\n

Next-generation compostable SAPs<\/span> <\/strong>are evaluated against the same parameters with a clear objective: to provide comparable performance<\/span><\/strong> without compromising industrial processability <\/span><\/strong>and to allow, where covered by certification, treatment through industrial composting<\/span><\/strong> under the conditions the conditions specified by that certification.<\/p>\n

Three variables need to be verified during qualification :<\/p>\n