Indonesia has become a “powerhouse” in the tissue industry. This means the country is very strong at making tissues and selling them to other countries. Even after the difficult years of the pandemic, Indonesia is still the leader in Southeast Asia.
Why is Indonesia so Strong?
There are a few simple reasons why Indonesia leads the market:
- Natural Resources: Indonesia has many acacia plantations (trees). These trees provide low-cost wood pulp that makes tissues feel very soft.
- Modern Machines: Indonesia uses some of the newest and fastest tissue-making machines in the region. This allows them to produce a lot of tissue very quickly.
- Low Costs: Because the materials and production are efficient, Indonesian tissues are cheaper to make than in many other countries.
Big Business and Exports
- Huge Exports: Indonesia sells much more tissue to other countries than it buys. In fact, exports are about 166 times higher than imports!
- Main Players: A company called Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is the biggest producer, making more than 75% of the country’s tissue.
- Future Growth: Experts believe that by 2026, tissue production in Indonesia will grow even more, overtaking other types of paper like those used for printing and writing.
The Domestic Market (Inside Indonesia)
It’s not just about selling to other countries; Indonesians are also using more tissues at home:
- Young Population: Indonesia has many young people who are becoming more aware of hygiene.
- Middle Class: As people earn more money, they are buying better quality and more innovative tissue products.
- Awareness: Social media and influencers are helping people understand that tissues are important for the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
Challenges to Watch
While the industry is booming, there are some things to consider:
Carbon Emissions: The factories use a lot of electricity, which can impact the environment.
Environment: Growing so fast has caused concerns about forests (deforestation). Many companies are now trying to be more “green” or eco-friendly.