Key Players
Competitive Landscape
Four supplier models compete in the recyclable absorbent pads market: fiber-pad specialists, active-material companies, integrated food-protection groups and regional custom manufacturers.
Competitive activity has moved in two directions since 2025, toward dedicated airlaid capacity and clearer separation between conventional and circular fiber-pad ranges.
- In July 2026, Magic S.p.A. announced an Andritz food-pad line scheduled for commissioning during the first quarter of 2027.
- In October 2025, Cellcomb AB renamed Cellsorb ECO as Cellsorb CORE and kept the sealed-edge cellulose construction unchanged.
Price remains relevant, but food packers now compare food-contact assurance with line-trial support and documented end-of-life routes.
Company developments mapped to drivers, trends and opportunities (2026-2036)
| Development | Driver | Trend | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic S.p.A. announced an Andritz food-pad line with airlaid technology in July 2026 for first-quarter 2027 commissioning. | Processors need low-rewet pads that fit high-output meat, fish and fruit packing lines. | Dedicated food-pad capacity is integrating airlaid forming with downstream converting. | The planned line supports qualified ranges for protein and produce processing accounts. |
| Cellcomb AB renamed Cellsorb ECO as Cellsorb CORE in October 2025 while retaining its sealed-edge cellulose construction. | Food processors need clearer product distinctions during material and food-safety reviews. | Specialists are separating conventional fiber cores from certified circular ranges. | Clearer range architecture supports specification upgrades within existing fresh-food accounts. |
| Coppice Alupack Ltd T/A Sirane appointed Celtex as its Chile and Peru distributor in April 2024. | Regional processors need local access to absorbent-pad trials and technical support. | Food-pad specialists are extending coverage with qualified regional manufacturers. | Distributor access supports pad programs for poultry, salmon and red-meat packers. |
McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH, Novipax, AptarGroup, Inc., Gelok International Corporation and Thermasorb Pty Ltd compete on qualification depth and application expertise without another qualifying dated development during the reviewed period.
Source: Future Market Insights, Recyclable Absorbent Pads Market and Food Packaging Market Reports, 2026-2036.
Magic S.p.A. and Cellcomb AB together cover airlaid capacity, sealed cellulose pads, compostable formats and regional fiber conversion. McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH also holds ISO 9001 and BRCGS packaging certification at its documented operations.
Who leads the recyclable absorbent pads market?
McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH leads the documented qualification comparison after its November 2025 BRCGS certification covered cellulosic pads for direct food contact. Cellcomb AB competes with certified cellulose formats designed for recyclable and compostable disposal routes across fresh-food applications.
Which suppliers have documented qualification or quality approvals?
McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH holds ISO 9001 and BRCGS packaging certification for food soaker pads at its Berlingerode site. Coppice Sirane reports BRC and ISO 9001 manufacturing, Novipax reports SQF accreditation and Thermasorb holds ISO 9001 plus FSSC 22000 accreditation.
Which companies provide protein and fresh-produce absorbent pads?
Novipax supplies sealed tissue and fluff-pulp pads for meat, poultry, seafood and produce applications across North American processors. McAirlaid's and Magic make wider food-pad ranges, while Cellcomb and Coppice Sirane offer recyclable or compostable formats for fresh-food packs.
Which suppliers serve North America and Europe?
Novipax, AptarGroup and Gelok manufacture or supply absorbent systems across North America for fresh-food packaging programs. In Europe, McAirlaid's, Cellcomb, Coppice Sirane and Magic provide fiber pads, active systems or custom converting for regional and export customers.
Representative Company Overview
| Company | Positioning | Verified market-relevant capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH | Europe, North America and international sales | Airlaid cellulose food pads plus cut and roll formats with ISO 9001 and BRCGS food-packaging certification. |
| Cellcomb AB | Europe and international sales | Sealed-edge cellulose food pads with distinct CORE and CIRCULAR ranges for conventional or certified disposal routes. |
| Coppice Alupack Ltd T/A Sirane | Europe, North America and export markets | Recyclable and compostable absorbent pads with custom sizes plus distribution coverage in Chile and Peru. |
| Novipax | North America | Protein, seafood, produce and foodservice absorbents with SQF-accredited manufacturing across several United States facilities. |
| AptarGroup, Inc. | Global | FreshWell absorbent systems and SeaWell seafood packaging with processing equipment for produce and seafood applications. |
| Gelok International Corporation | North America and international sales | Cellulose-based superabsorbent laminates and airlaid cores for food tray pads plus related fluid-control uses. |
| Thermasorb Pty Ltd | Australia and New Zealand | Retail tray pads plus beef and seafood shipping absorbents with ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 accreditation. |
| Magic S.p.A. | Europe and 36 export countries | Compostable food pads plus airlaid materials and an Andritz food-pad line scheduled for 2027 commissioning. |
Research Methodology
The selected companies illustrate how the recyclable absorbent pads market is structured across distinct manufacturing and service models without forming a corporate ranking. A company appears only where current verifiable evidence confirms absorbent pads or related food-protection materials for fresh-food applications. Evidence comes from company websites, product literature, certification records, filings and dated corporate announcements reviewed for current relevance. Certification and registration records belong to the site or legal entity that holds each documented approval. Technology shares are FMI estimates, with the 34.0% plastic-free cellulose pad figure applying to 2026 within this report.
