Underpad Raw Material — Manufacturer Guide & Supplier India 2026
Underpads (also called bed protection pads, chux, or incontinence pads) are disposable absorbent sheets placed under patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care. The Indian market is growing fast — driven by an aging population, rising adult incontinence awareness, and hospital procurement contracts. For manufacturers, the unit economics work only when raw material sourcing is tight: a typical underpad has 6 components, and small input cost differences make or break profitability at retail price points of ₹10–35 per pad.
This guide covers every raw material used in baby and adult underpad production, with specifications, GSM ranges, indicative pricing, and supply options from Favourite Fab in Agra, India.
Underpad Construction — Layer by Layer
A standard disposable underpad has six layers from top to bottom:
- Topsheet (skin contact): Hydrophilic spunbond or nonwoven — soft, dry feel
- Acquisition layer: Tissue or thin nonwoven — distributes fluid
- Absorbent core: Fluff pulp + SAP powder OR fluff pulp only (low-cost variant)
- Tissue wrap: Wraps the core — keeps SAP and fluff contained
- Backsheet (leak barrier): PE film — non-breathable, waterproof
- Wing tape / fixation tape (optional, on stick-on underpad variants)
Underpad sizes: 60×60 cm (standard), 60×90 cm (large), 90×120 cm (super), 45×60 cm (small / paediatric).
Component 1 — Topsheet
Two options based on price tier:
- Hydrophilic PP spunbond: 14–22 GSM, soft, dry-feel, low cost. Used by 80% of Indian underpad makers
- Spunlace nonwoven: 25–35 GSM, premium feel, used in hospital-grade and adult-incontinence brands
Specifications: Strike-through <3 sec, rewet <1.0 g, OEKO-TEX compliant. Source from Favourite Fab — same hydrophilic spunbond used in diaper topsheet.
Component 2 — Acquisition Tissue
A thin tissue (12–18 GSM) sits between topsheet and core. It accepts fluid surge from the topsheet and distributes it laterally before the SAP core captures it. Skipping this layer (cheap variants) causes pooling and rewet.
- Material: Bleached wet-laid tissue or airlaid tissue
- GSM: 12–18
- Cost: ₹120–180/kg
Component 3 — Absorbent Core
This is the largest cost component (45–55% of pad BOM). Two formats:
Conventional core: fluff pulp + SAP
| Pad Size | Fluff Pulp (g) | SAP (g) | Total Absorbency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60×60 cm | 15–20 | 4–6 | 700–900 ml |
| 60×90 cm | 25–35 | 6–10 | 1,200–1,500 ml |
| 90×120 cm | 40–55 | 10–14 | 2,000–2,500 ml |
Low-cost variant: fluff pulp only
Hospital tender-grade underpads often use 100% fluff pulp (no SAP). Higher pulp loading (60–80g for 60×90 cm). Bulkier and lower absorbency, but unit cost is significantly lower.
SAP grade for underpads: lighter than baby diaper grade. Free swell 40–50 g/g is sufficient. See SAP powder guide and where to buy SAP in bulk.
Component 4 — Tissue Wrap
Wraps the fluff + SAP core to prevent migration during converting and use. Standard wet-laid tissue 16–22 GSM. Cost ₹110–160/kg.
Component 5 — Backsheet PE Film
The leak barrier and the “blue layer” users see on the bottom of the pad. Two options:
| Type | Thickness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard PE film (blue/green) | 22–28 micron | 1–2 colours | ₹110–145/kg |
| PE-laminated nonwoven | 40–60 GSM total | Cloth-like backing | ₹160–210/kg |
| Breathable PE film | 22–28 micron | 1 colour | ₹165–220/kg |
Most Indian-market underpads use standard non-breathable PE film. Premium hospital lines use cloth-backed film.
Component 6 — Fixation Tape (Optional)
For stick-on underpads, two thin double-sided adhesive strips on the backsheet keep the pad in place on the bed. Standard hot-melt PSA tape, 15–20mm width. Cost ₹2–4 per pad.
Pricing Summary — Underpad Raw Material Cost Per Unit (60×60 cm)
| Component | Spec | Cost per pad (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Topsheet (hydrophilic spunbond) | 16 GSM | ₹0.85 |
| Acquisition tissue | 14 GSM | ₹0.40 |
| Fluff pulp | 18 g | ₹2.30 |
| SAP powder | 5 g | ₹1.05 |
| Tissue wrap | 18 GSM | ₹0.55 |
| PE film backsheet | 25 micron | ₹1.45 |
| Adhesive (core construction) | — | ₹0.30 |
| Total raw material per pad | ₹6.90 |
Add converting cost (₹1.50–2.50), packaging, and margin. Trade price ₹12–18 per pad. Retail price ₹18–35 per pad. Hospital tender pricing typically ₹8–14 per pad with simplified construction.
HSN Code & GST
- Finished underpad: HSN 9619 (sanitary articles), GST 12%
- Nonwoven raw material: HSN 5603, GST 12%
- SAP powder: HSN 3906, GST 18%
- PE film: HSN 3920, GST 18%
Single-Source Supply from Favourite Fab
Favourite Fab supplies 5 of the 7 underpad raw materials from one facility:
- Hydrophilic PP spunbond topsheet (14–22 GSM)
- Spunlace topsheet for premium variant (25–35 GSM)
- Acquisition tissue and tissue wrap (12–22 GSM)
- SAP powder — underpad grade
- PE film backsheet — standard and breathable
Fluff pulp is sourced via partner network (Domtar / Resolute / local agents). For complete pad and adult-incontinence material sourcing, see also sanitary pad raw materials and absorbent core for diapers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an underpad and a sanitary pad?
Underpads are large flat sheets placed under the patient on a bed (60×60 cm and larger). Sanitary pads are smaller body-worn pads. Underpads have lower SAP loading per cm² and use cheaper fluff-heavy cores because absorbency under load is less critical.
What is the typical SAP loading for an underpad?
Standard 60×60 cm underpad: 4–6 g SAP. Larger 60×90 cm pad: 6–10 g. Hospital tender-grade pads often skip SAP entirely and use 60–80 g of compressed fluff pulp instead.
Are underpads recyclable or biodegradable?
Conventional underpads with PE backsheet are not biodegradable. Bio-versions using PLA backsheet and pulp-only cores are available — see biodegradable hygiene raw materials. They cost 65–95% more per unit.
What’s the cheapest viable underpad construction?
Hospital-grade pulp-only underpad: 16 GSM topsheet + 60 g fluff pulp + 25-micron PE film. Total raw material cost ~₹4.80 per 60×60 cm pad. Suitable for institutional tenders but lower performance than SAP-bearing pads.
Can I source all underpad components in India?
Yes — except fluff pulp, which is mostly imported from US/Europe. All other components (spunbond, tissue, SAP, PE film) are domestically produced. Favourite Fab provides single-source supply for all except fluff pulp.
What’s the typical MOQ for underpad raw materials?
Spunbond: 500 kg. SAP powder: 500 kg. PE film: 300 kg. Tissue: 500 kg. Smaller MOQs negotiable for first-time orders or production trials.
Get Samples & Pricing
Share your underpad size, target price point, and monthly volume. Receive a complete BOM quote and free samples of each component within 5 days.
- 📞 +91 95288 11566 / +91 88007 75462
- ✉️ sale@favouritehub.com
- 🌐 Send specification online
Gaurav Garg
I'm Gaurav Garg, CEO of Favourite Fab, a company on a mission to revolutionize the nonwoven industry with sustainable practices. We work hand-in-hand with manufacturers and suppliers who share our commitment to eco-friendly production. With a deep interest in textile innovation, I'm passionate about educating consumers about sustainable material options and their potential to transform the nonwoven landscape.
