Australia’s domestic tissue mills produce approximately 261,000 tons against a national consumption of 330,000 tons, creating a structural 69,000-ton production deficit that necessitates over $123 million in annual imports. As market leaders like Kimberly-Clark and ABC Tissue prepare to control a projected $1.2 billion in revenue by 2026, procurement teams must navigate a supply chain where demand for premium 3-ply virgin pulp consistently outstrips local manufacturing capacity.
This guide evaluates the production capabilities and market dominance of Kimberly-Clark Pacific Holdings, ABC Tissue, and Essity, detailing how they meet FSC-certified sustainability benchmarks. We analyze the critical DAFF biosecurity compliance protocols and the shift toward plastic-free packaging standards required to secure shelf space in the evolving Australian retail and industrial sectors.
Top 10 Manufacturers and Key Brands in Australia
Quick Comparison: Top Picks
| Manufacturer | Location | Core Strength | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Source Hygiene | Baoding, China (Global Shipping) | Customized Toilet Paper (2-5 ply), Jumbo Roll Tissue, and OEM/ODM Services | Premier factory-direct partner for high-capacity customization and cost-effective global export. |
| Kimberly-Clark Australia (Kleenex, Cottonelle) | Sydney, Australia | Kleenex and Cottonelle branded tissue and bulk commercial rolls | A dominant market leader offering unparalleled brand trust and extensive local distribution. |
| ABC Tissue (Quilton, EarthCare) | Sydney, Australia | Quilton luxury tissue and EarthCare sustainable recycled paper | Major local manufacturer specializing in high-ply luxury and integrated sustainable manufacturing. |
| Encore Tissue (Envirosoft, Livi) | Victoria, Australia | Virgin/recycled toilet paper rolls and facial tissues | Highly reliable Victorian manufacturer with a strong commitment to recycled fiber and value-tier products. |
| Solaris Paper (Livi, Emporia) | Sydney, Australia | Livi professional tissue systems and Emporia premium retail tissue | Key competitor for professional hygiene and hospitality sectors with sustainable fiber sourcing. |
| Caprice Paper Products (Caprice Green, Duro) | Melbourne, Australia | Recycled toilet paper, commercial tissue, and catering napkins | Top-tier choice for away-from-home, industrial, and eco-friendly janitorial supply. |
| Stella Products Australia (Stella, private label tissue) | Brendale, Australia | Retail and commercial rolls and customized private-label products | Highly flexible local converter providing tailored solutions for independent grocers and distributors. |
| Essity Australasia (Tork) | Melbourne, Australia | Tork branded tissue systems and jumbo roll dispensing technology | Global hygiene leader providing world-class professional dispensing systems for high-traffic venues. |
| Who Gives A Crap | Melbourne, Australia | 100% recycled and bamboo toilet paper with plastic-free packaging | Leading ethical B Corp with a powerful social mission and carbon-conscious logistics. |
| Private Label Importers & Converters (Supply Chain) | Australia / China supply chain | Supermarket home brands and bulk value-conscious tissue | Crucial supply chain segment for high-volume, low-cost budget lines and discount retail channels. |
Top Source Hygiene
Top Source Hygiene operates as a direct manufacturer specializing in paper products for retail and hospitality industries. They focus on the high-volume OEM and ODM sector, managing production lines for toilet paper, tissues, and commercial jumbo rolls. Their operations target global distribution channels across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
The facility produces 2,860 tons of product monthly and has operated for over 30 years. They maintain international quality standards, offering technical customization ranging from 2-ply to 5-ply thickness and specific GSM weights. Current supply chains extend to 56 countries, utilizing FSC-certified materials for ecological compliance in regulated markets.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Baoding, China (Global Shipping)
- 🏭 Core Strength: Customized Toilet Paper (2-5 ply), Jumbo Roll Tissue, Kitchen Towels, and Facial Tissues
- 🌍 Key Markets: Australia, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific retail and hospitality sectors
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Kimberly-Clark Australia (Kleenex, Cottonelle)
Kimberly-Clark Australia operates as a primary manufacturer and distributor of paper-based hygiene products within the Oceanic region. The company manages household names like Kleenex and Cottonelle, supplying a significant portion of the domestic retail and commercial tissue market from its Sydney headquarters.
The organization combines local converting facilities with global research and development resources to produce industrial-scale quantities of facial and toilet tissues. This infrastructure supports diverse procurement channels, including major supermarket chains, pharmacy groups, and large-scale foodservice providers.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Sydney, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Kleenex and Cottonelle branded toilet tissue, bulk commercial rolls, and facial tissues
- 🌍 Key Markets: Australian supermarkets, pharmacies, and foodservice providers
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
|---|---|
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ABC Tissue (Quilton, EarthCare)
ABC Tissue operates as a major Australian-owned paper manufacturer with a focus on large-scale domestic production. They control the full production cycle through integrated manufacturing and converting plants located in Sydney. This vertical integration allows them to service major supermarket chains across Australia and New Zealand, providing a stable supply of both luxury high-ply products and sustainable paper alternatives.
The facility infrastructure supports the production of 3-ply and 4-ply luxury toilet paper under the Quilton brand alongside the EarthCare recycled line. Their operations prioritize high-speed converting and packaging to meet the volume demands of national grocery retailers. By maintaining local manufacturing plants, they reduce supply chain lead times for the ANZ market compared to international importers.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Sydney, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Quilton branded toilet paper (3-ply/4-ply), EarthCare recycled paper, and paper towels
- 🌍 Key Markets: Australian and New Zealand supermarkets and major grocery retailers
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Encore Tissue (Envirosoft, Livi)
Encore Tissue operates as an integrated paper manufacturer based in Victoria. The company manages the production cycle from raw pulp processing in their own tissue mills through to final converting lines. This infrastructure supports both the Livi and Envirosoft brands while providing high-volume capacity for private-label contracts within the Australian retail and commercial sectors.
Manufacturing capabilities center on sustainable fiber recovery through an on-site de-inking plant. This facility processes recycled materials into commercial-grade toilet rolls, facial tissues, and paper towels. By maintaining local production assets, the company controls lead times and inventory stability for domestic supermarkets, wholesalers, and large-scale facilities distributors.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Victoria, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Toilet paper rolls (virgin and recycled), facial tissues, and paper towels
- 🌍 Key Markets: Australian supermarkets, wholesalers, and facilities distributors
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Solaris Paper (Livi, Emporia)
Solaris Paper functions as a primary converter in Sydney, servicing the Australian market through a strategic import model. They acquire jumbo rolls from global sources to produce finished tissue products for both the retail sector under the Emporia brand and the commercial washroom market under Livi.
The Sydney conversion facility processes raw materials into diverse formats for large-scale grocery and hospitality distribution. The operation focuses on fiber sustainability, maintaining supply chains that comply with environmental requirements for high-volume professional and foodservice applications.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Sydney, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Livi professional tissue systems and Emporia premium retail toilet paper
- 🌍 Key Markets: Retail grocery, foodservice, and commercial washroom markets
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Caprice Paper Products (Caprice Green, Duro)
Caprice operates as a primary supplier in the Australian away-from-home tissue market. They provide high-volume paper solutions for cleaning contractors, hospitality venues, and healthcare facilities across the country. The company distributes products through a national network, positioning itself as a central source for industrial-grade consumables and catering napkins.
Their catalog centers on the Caprice Green and Duro brands, utilizing recycled fibers and FSC-certified materials. They produce specific formats for commercial dispensers, including interleaved towels and jumbo toilet rolls. Operations focus on meeting the high-frequency usage demands of the janitorial and catering industries from their Melbourne-based distribution hub.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Melbourne, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Recycled toilet paper, commercial tissue, and napkins for catering
- 🌍 Key Markets: Cleaning contractors, hospitality venues, and healthcare facilities
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Stella Products Australia (Stella, private label tissue)
Stella Products operates as a domestic tissue converter based in Brendale, Queensland. The company serves a specific market segment by providing locally manufactured tissue products to independent retailers and foodservice distributors who require more agile production runs than those offered by global conglomerates.
The facility converts bulk tissue into finished retail and commercial toilet paper rolls. Their operational model focuses on private-label customization, which allows clients to specify packaging designs and roll configurations. This localized production setup minimizes shipping delays for domestic buyers and supports local industry standards.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Brendale, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Retail and commercial toilet paper rolls and customized private-label products
- 🌍 Key Markets: Independent grocers, distributors, and contract customers
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Essity Australasia (Tork)
Essity Australasia operates the Tork brand as a specialized provider for large-scale institutional hygiene. They focus on closed-system dispensing for sectors including healthcare, education, and commercial office space. The Melbourne-based operation services the regional market with high-capacity jumbo rolls and high-efficiency tissue systems.
The company utilizes integrated dispenser technology designed to reduce consumption and maintenance cycles. Their infrastructure supports high-volume distribution of Tork branded toilet tissue and jumbo rolls. These systems prioritize institutional hygiene standards and operational reliability for heavy-duty industrial environments.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Melbourne, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Tork branded toilet tissue systems, jumbo rolls, and dispensers
- 🌍 Key Markets: Professional hygiene sectors including offices, healthcare, and education
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Who Gives A Crap
Who Gives A Crap operates as a high-volume social enterprise specializing in ethical hygiene products. The company manages a supply chain focused on 100% recycled and bamboo-based paper, distributed through a direct-to-consumer model and corporate procurement channels. Their operational framework prioritizes the removal of plastic from the entire packaging and shipping process.
The fiscal model includes a 50% profit donation toward sanitation projects, positioning the brand as a purpose-driven supplier for ESG-compliant organizations. Logistics management utilizes carbon-conscious protocols and local distribution hubs to reduce shipping emissions. Materials sourcing bypasses virgin wood pulp in favor of fast-growing bamboo and post-consumer waste.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Melbourne, Australia
- 🏭 Core Strength: Recycled and bamboo toilet paper (plastic-free wrapped rolls)
- 🌍 Key Markets: Direct-to-consumer e-commerce and sustainability-focused offices
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Private Label Importers & Converters (Supply Chain)
This segment manages the procurement and distribution of tissue products from international manufacturing hubs to the Australian market. These entities specialize in high-volume supply chains, primarily targeting supermarket home brands and discount retail sectors where price efficiency remains the primary driver for procurement.
Operations in this category account for over 50% of Australia’s total import volume for tissue products. By leveraging large-scale Chinese manufacturing output, these importers bridge the gap for budget-conscious commercial buyers and wholesale clubs requiring consistent access to low-cost value lines.
📊 At a Glance:
- 📍 Location: Australia / China supply chain
- 🏭 Core Strength: Supermarket home brands, discount-channel rolls, and bulk commercial tissue
- 🌍 Key Markets: Discount retailers, wholesale clubs, and budget-conscious commercial buyers
Why We Picked Them:
| ✅ The Wins | ⚠️ Trade-offs |
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Australia’s Thirst for Quality: A High-Consumption Market Overview
Australia’s tissue market favors premium 3-ply virgin pulp, with Kimberly-Clark and ABC Tissue projected to control over $1.2 billion in revenue by 2026.
Consumer Preferences for Premium Tissue Standards
Australian households drive domestic consumption to record levels. Buyers no longer accept entry-level specs; they prioritize 3-ply and 4-ply products manufactured from 100% virgin wood pulp for both home and commercial environments.
- Primary Quality Metrics: High softness, superior absorbency, and wet-strength durability.
- Regulatory Compliance: FSC-certified sustainable sourcing and Oceania hygiene standards.
- Material Preference: 100% virgin wood pulp over recycled blends for premium tiers.
Economic Projections and Market Scale for 2026
Market data shows a highly concentrated sector where top-tier manufacturers dominate the revenue share. Strategic local manufacturing at sites like the Millicent Mill balances a heavy reliance on imports to meet the total volume requirements of the retail and Away-From-Home (AFH) sectors.
- Kimberly-Clark Pacific Holdings: $631.3 million projected 2026 revenue.
- ABC Tissue: $608.4 million projected 2026 revenue.
- Essity Holding Australia: $232.8 million projected 2026 revenue.
- Key Infrastructure: Millicent Mill (South Australia) remains the primary hub for local tissue stock production.
The divergence between flat domestic capacity and rising demand ensures that imports remain a structural necessity for the Australian supply chain through the next decade.
The Reliance on Imports: Why Australia Sourced $123M+ in 2024
Australia’s 69,000-ton production deficit and Asian mill cost advantages make $123M in imports a structural necessity, not a temporary choice.
Structural Gaps in Local Manufacturing Capacity
Australian mills face a persistent supply shortfall. They produce roughly 261,000 tons of tissue against a national consumption of 330,000 tons. This gap forces a reliance on overseas volume to keep retail shelves stocked. Domestic capacity has stayed flat while demand climbs toward a projected 352,000 tons by 2035.
Local production remains concentrated among a few major entities. This setup leaves the market vulnerable to maintenance outages or supply shocks at any single facility.
- Major Local Players: ABC Tissue, Kimberly-Clark, and Sorbent.
- Supply Deficit: Approximately 69,000 tons annually.
- Market Forecast: 2.1% annual value growth through 2035.
Cost Efficiency of International Mega-Mills
Large-scale mills in China and Indonesia leverage massive economies of scale and modern converting lines. These operations offer lower landed costs than many local plants, even after factoring in international logistics. China provides a critical price anchor for the Australian mass-market and discount segments.
Trans-Tasman dynamics also influence the supply chain. Companies frequently import tissue stock from New Zealand to balance machine loads and manage fiber costs across their regional portfolios.
- Primary Import Sources: China (59% of volume), New Zealand, and Indonesia.
- Pricing Drivers: Lower overseas input costs and high-speed automated converting.
- Import Volume: ~70,000 tons of finished toilet paper in 2024.
Strategic Sourcing for Variety and Risk Resilience
Retailers use imports to fill portfolio gaps that local mills often ignore. While domestic plants focus on high-volume standard rolls, offshore manufacturers provide the flexibility needed for specialty products and private-label launches without requiring massive domestic capital investment.
Buyers now maintain dual-sourcing strategies to prevent the stockouts seen during previous logistics disruptions. This risk-management posture ensures a recurring import requirement is baked into national procurement plans.
- Specialty Categories: Ultra-value tiers, bamboo fiber products, and plastic-free packaging.
- Strategic Partners: Top Source Hygiene and other offshore converters for custom-ply SKUs.
- Certifications: Sourcing FSC-certified or high-recycled content via specialized overseas mills.
Scale Your Brand with Global OEM Toilet Paper Experts
Navigating Australian Biosecurity and Packaging Standards
Australia demands strict DAFF biosecurity compliance and 100% recyclable packaging by 2026. Importers must secure phytosanitary certificates and FSC-certified materials to pass customs and retail audits.
Biosecurity Regulations and DAFF Compliance
The Biosecurity Act 2015 regulates all sanitary paper imports to prevent biological contamination. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) monitors shipments at major ports in Melbourne and Sydney. While China accounts for 64% of imports and is generally treated as low-risk, documentation must be perfect to avoid delays.
- Regulatory Framework: Biosecurity Act 2015
- Mandatory Documentation: Phytosanitary certificates and import permits
- Risk Management: Fumigation treatments for high-risk consignments
Product Labeling and Australian Consumer Law
Retail packaging must satisfy Australian Consumer Law (ACL) regarding performance claims and specs. Every environmental claim requires verifiable evidence to avoid heavy penalties for greenwashing. Labels must also comply with FSANZ standards for hygiene products, focusing on transparency and consumer safety.
- Mandatory Identifiers: Country-of-origin labeling and ingredient transparency
- Claim Verification: Accurate ply counts, roll lengths, and environmental certifications
- Legal Oversight: Australian Consumer Law and FSANZ guidelines
Sustainability Requirements and Packaging Targets
The Australian Packaging Covenant forces a transition to 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials by 2026. Retailers now prioritize FSC-certified pulp to align with national preferences for responsible sourcing. New regulations are actively restricting single-use plastic outer wraps, pushing brands toward paper-based or recyclable film alternatives.
- Key Certifications: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC
- 2026 Material Targets: 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable
- Packaging Formats: Paper-wrapped individual rolls and recyclable mono-material films
Sourcing for the AFH Sector: Mines, Hotels, and Offices
AFH procurement in 2026 requires segmenting high-ply premium goods for hospitality from high-capacity, durable jumbo rolls designed for industrial sites and sustainable office compliance.
High-Quality Amenities for the Hospitality Industry
Luxury resorts and hotels prioritize guest satisfaction scores by sourcing 3-ply and 4-ply virgin wood pulp products. Major players like Kimberly-Clark Pacific Holdings, with projected 2026 revenues of $631.3 million, dominate this niche by providing high-aesthetic tissue lines that define brand identity in premium suites.
- Customization: Branded tissue boxes and tailored packaging for hotel clinics.
- Fiber Quality: Focus on multi-ply virgin wood pulp for superior softness.
- Key Manufacturers: Kimberly-Clark, ABC Tissue (Quilton), and Stella Products.
Heavy-Duty Solutions for Mining and Industrial Camps
Remote mining sites and industrial hubs utilize high-capacity jumbo rolls to minimize restocking cycles in communal facilities. These heavy-duty systems allow facility managers to reduce maintenance labor costs by up to 15% through reduced roll-change frequency.
Procurement for these environments favors durability over softness. Brands like Caprice Paper Products (Duro line) and Solaris Paper (Livi) provide high-volume solutions designed to withstand the logistics of remote site supply chains and high-traffic usage.
Sustainable Sourcing for Modern Office Environments
Office facility managers in 2026 source FSC-certified products to meet corporate ESG targets and green building standards. Sourcing strategies now balance high-absorbency kitchen towels for breakrooms with premium facial tissues for professional meeting spaces.
- Certifications: Mandatory FSC or PEFC logos and Australian Packaging Covenant compliance.
- Logistics: Adherence to Australian biosecurity regulations for imported fiber stock.
- Providers: Essity Australasia (Tork), Solaris Paper, and Encore Tissue.
Suppliers like Top Source Hygiene ensure that office products comply with local biosecurity and packaging standards, a critical factor for distributors managing trans-Tasman supply chains between Australia and New Zealand.
Pro Tip: The “Plastic-Free” Movement in Australian Retail
Australian retail is pivoting from soft plastics to curbside-recyclable paper. Brands now use dual-range strategies to balance mass-market cost efficiency with premium, plastic-free “eco” shelf positioning.
The Shift from Soft Plastics to Curbside Recyclable Packaging
The suspension of major soft-plastic collection schemes across Australia forced a retail pivot. Supermarkets now prioritize paper and cardboard packaging that shoppers can recycle at the curb, rather than relying on defunct store drop-off programs.
Retailers like Coles dedicate specific shelf space to plastic-free products. They use sustainability tags to direct foot traffic toward brands that replaced polyethylene overwraps with paper wraps, cardboard cores, and fiber-based outer packs.
Packaging Innovations from Market Leaders and Emerging Brands
Brands like Who Gives A Crap and Shh!t Happens utilize individual paper wrapping and cardboard shipping cartons. This eliminates plastic film entirely and serves as the primary driver for their brand identity in a crowded market.
Incumbents Kimberly-Clark and ABC Tissue are trialing hybrid formats and recyclable mono-material films for premium variants. High-volume private-label lines act as the testing ground for alternative formats, including single-roll wraps and boxed multipacks.
Operational Strategies: Dual-Range Architecture and Certifications
A commercially viable 2026 strategy maintains two distinct tiers. Sell a price-competitive mainstream range in optimized film while offering a premium, plastic-free line to capture the eco-conscious segment. Importers should leverage domestic R&D to develop exclusive SKUs that meet the ESG reporting requirements of major pharmacy and grocery chains.
To qualify for specialized “eco” shelf bays, products must carry verified labeling:
- FSC or PEFC: Mandatory logos for sustainable fiber sourcing.
- ARL (Australasian Recycling Label): Essential guidance for consumer disposal.
- Plastic-Free Claims: Clear on-pack signaling for paper-wrapped or boxed formats.
Final Thoughts
Australian production cannot meet demand, making imports a structural necessity. However, volume-driven sourcing fails if products ignore the 2026 mandate for 100% recyclable, plastic-free packaging and strict FSC certifications.
Audit your supply chain for DAFF and biosecurity compliance today. Immediately pilot a premium, paper-wrapped import line to secure shelf space before the 2026 sustainability shift de-lists non-compliant brands.
