1887 | Cloth diapers were first mass produced by Maria Allen. |
1936 | Paulistróm develops an absorbent insert made of tissue. |
1942 | First reference of a disposable diaper made by PauliStróm in Sweden. |
1946 | Marion Donovan patents “the boater”, a waterproof cover with snaps. |
1947 | George M. Schroder invents the first diaper using nonwoven fabrics. |
1947 | Valerie Hunter Gordon develops a two piece disposable diaper in England. |
1948 | J&J introduces disposable diapers in the United States. |
1949 | Stanley Mason patented the first disposable and pin free diaper. |
1949 | Chicopee introduces CHUX disposable diapers. |
1950 | Paulistróm introduces “roll diapers” made of cellulose wadding. |
1952 | Kendall and Parke-Davis enter the market. |
1956 | P&G begins research work on disposable diapers. |
1957 | Molnlycke develops the first shaped insert surrounded by a knitted net. |
1959 | First lab tests of the P&G’s as yet unnamed diaper in Rochester. |
1961 | Pampers test marketed in Peoria, Illinois. |
1962 | Pampers test marketed in Sacramento, California. |
1962 | Sille-Werner in Sweden develops a rectangular diaper pad made with nonwovens. |
1963 | Unicharm starts production of sanitary napkins in Japan. |
1964 | Pampers introduced in St. Louis. |
1965 | Borden test market White Lamb. |
1966 | Scott Paper test markets Baby Scott’s in Denver, Dallas and Minneapolis. |
1966 | Billy Gene Harper and Carlyle Harmon filed the first patents for agricultural superabsorbent. |
1967 | Molnlycke introduces Combinett, a one piece disposable diaper |
1968 | Kimberly-Clark brought out Kimbies a one piece diaper made with superior fluff pulp. |
1968 | Creation of “The “Disposables Association” a US non-profit (changed name to INDA in 1972) . |
1968 | Kimberly-Clark begins test marketing Huggies in Denver, Colorado. |
1969 | Pampers completes national expansion. |
1970 | Weyerhauser enters market in August. |
1971 | Pampers introduces a diaper with a paper tape system. |
1971 | Creation of EDANA (European Disposable and Nonwovens Association) |
1972 | Pampers conversion to fluff pulp from creped tissue. |
1972 | Disposable Soft Goods (DSG) started operations in Taiwan with disposable diapers. |
1973 | Union Carbide begins broad diaper expansion. |
1973 | D.S.G. starts operations in Hong Kong. |
1974 | Kimberly-Clark’s Kimbies brand almost hits 85% national distribution. |
1974 | Kimberly-Clark’s starts a new diaper factory in Mexico with the brand Kleen Bebe. |
1975 | Pampers improved newborns is introduced. |
1975 | Swedish paper company SCA acquires Molnlycke. |
1976 | Luvs is introduced with fitted shape and a flexible closing system. |
1977 | Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies national roll-out completed replace Kimbies. |
1977 | Grupo Mabesa started operations this year selling female protectors. |
1978 | Luvs national expansion. |
1978 | P.I. Mabe introduces baby diapers in Mexico with the brand Kiko |
1979 | Luvs introduces Convenience pack. |
1980 | Pampers introduced Cushion Quilted lining. |
1981 | Unicharm launches “Moony” diapers in Japan. |
1982 | Huggies convenience pack daytime 48’s introduced. |
1982 | Unicharm introduces first disposable diaper with superabsorbent in the world. |
1983 | Pampers lost 15 percentage points of market share, two piece tape introduced. |
1983 | Kao launches “Merries” disposable diapers in Japan. |
1984 | Pampers changes to hourglass shape and single refastenable tapes. |
1985 | Huggies surpassed Pampers to become #1 selling diaper in the U.S. |
1986 | P&G and KC both introduce diapers with Super Absorbent in the U.S. |
1986 | Luvs introduces elastic waist. |
1987 | DSG aquires Dafoe & Dafoe in the United States. |
1987 | Pampers and Huggies both introduce new tape systems (Frontal tape). |
1987 | Unicharm launches “Lifree” adult incontinence diapers in Japan. |
1988 | P&G introduces gender specific Luvs diapers. |
1989 | Kimberly-Clark introduces Huggies for Him and Her. |
1989 | KC introduces training pants, Pampers introduced with barrier leg cuffs. |
1990 | Pampers and Luvs Phases in boy-girl version. |
1990 | Kao introduces “Relief” brand for adult incontinence in Japan. |
1991 | Arquest starts operation as a spin-off from Johnson & Johnson. |
1991 | Weyerhouser introduces private label “Stages”. |
1992 | Unicharm introduces “Moony Man” Pull-up diapers. |
1992 | KC introduces Huggies Ultra Trim. |
1993 | Pampers Ultra Dry with “Curly Cellulose Fiber” is introduced. |
1993 | KC-México starts a new diaper factory in Ramos Arizpe and launches Huggies in Mexico |
1993 | Pampers Trainers introduced. |
1994 | KC introduces Pull-Up Goodnites for night time use in older children. |
1994 | P.I. Mabe introduces the first baby pants in Latinamerica |
1994 | Private label from Paragon Trade Brands, Drypers and DSG gain 25% share. |
1994 | Paragon Trade Brands introduces a premium private label. |
1995 | P&G cuts the price of Luvs 11% and Pampers trainers 17.5%. |
1996 | Pampers Premium with breathable side panel is introduced. |
1996 | P&G discontinues gender-specific diapers, mega-sizes introduced. |
1997 | Paragon Trade Brands introduces “all over breathable” and cloth-like. |
1997 | Kimberly-Clark introduces Huggies Little Swimmers. |
1997 | Serenity Argentina is purchased by P.I. Mabesa, they also purchase MPC in Brazil. |
1997 | Drypers incorporated Aloe Vera, Huggies launches Ultra Trim with hook and loop. |
1998 | Pampers Baby Dry breathable backsheet and lotion introduced. |
1999 | P&G introduces Pampers Rash Guard, medically proven. |
2000 | Pampers Custom Fit, with stretchy side panels is introduced. |
2001 | Paragon Trade Brands is purchased by Tyco. |
2001 | Drypers introduces Next Step Training Pants, Drypers is purchased by DSG. |
2001 | D.S.G.(Disposable Soft Goods) acquires the U.S. assets of Drypers. |
2001 | Three facilities of the Drypers Group in South America are purchased by P.I.Mabesa |
2002 | Absormex introduces Earthpure degradable diapers sold by Amway. |
2002 | P&G introduces Pampers Baby Stages after launch in Europe. |
2002 | Absormex selected exclusive supplier for HEB’s private label brands in Texas. |
2003 | P&G baby pant grows to 19% share from almost nothing in January 2002. |
2003 | KC launches a new “convertible”, a baby diapers that emulates a baby pant. |
2003 | DSG starts a joint venture diaper factory in Shanghai, China. |
2004 | Lack of superabsorbent forces many diaper producers to reduce production. |
2005 | Carlos Richer opens “Richer Investment” a new diaper industry consulting service. |
2005 | CMPC Chile purchases Absormex and Grupo ABS Mexico in November 2005. |
2006 | P&G introduces new Pampers Baby Dry with new reduced chassis and elastic ears. |
2006 | KC launches Huggies Supreme “Gente Care” and “Natural Fit” baby diapers. |
2007 | Tyco splits into three companies, Covidien is the hygiene business |
2007 | AHP-DSG is moving to a new building in Dellaware and starts new Zuiko pants |
2007 | BASF starts two new plants in Texas for the production of SAP. |
2007 | CMPC buys two Mabesa plants, in Colombia and Uruguay. |
2007 | Unicharm develops thinner diapers from 4mm to 1.8 mm thick. |
2007 | KC invests 60M USD in Peru |
2007 | P&G launches a pulp-less version of Pampers diapers in the US and China |
2008 | First Quality Products purchases Covidien’s retail business for 335M USD |
2008 | KC launches the new Snug & Dry: Stop Leaks diaper |
2008 | P&G test markets Pampers Change N’Go, a diper with a slip in insert. |
2008 | Giulio D`Inca & Richer’s patent: the Vacuum Dry Diaper and a prototype is presented in October |
2009 | Huggies new Pure and Natural, the backsheet is made with organic cotton |
2011 | P&G launches Pampers Dry Max, the diaper core is made of SAP with only curly on top |
2011 | KC launches Little Movers Slip-On, the diaper is a hybrid between a pant and a diaper |
2012 | Drylock launches a diaper without any pulp in October. |
2012 | Honest Co. launches new “fashion style” diapers with BioSAP in the USA, made by Mabesa Mexico. |
2015 | Ontex announces agreement to purchase Mabesa and all its factories |
2015 | Procter & Gamble launches Pampers Cruisers with absorbing Channels |
2016 | Ontex purchases the Diaper division of Hypermarcas, a diaper manufacturer in Brazil |
2016 | Parasol Co launches a new line of luxury baby diapers in the US with an ultra soft topsheet/backsheet |
2017 | Drylock expands in Brazil after the purchase of Capricho and Mardam |
2018 | Abena Nova with Medisens a smart brief for bedridden patients started user tests in Europe |
2018 | Pampers launches Pampers Pure, with no perfume, unbleached curly fibre, and organic cotton |
2019 | Coterie Diapers, an ultra high performance diaper, is launched in the USA in June |
2019 | KC launches Huggies Special Delivery, made with soft and hypoallergenic plant-based materials |