In South Africa, we tend to be loyal to our brands. Whether it’s the luxury of Baby Soft or the budget-friendly reliability of Twinsaver, most of us grab the same pack week after week.

But for retailers, guesthouse owners, and savvy bulk buyers, knowing who actually makes these rolls is critical. The landscape of toilet paper manufacturers in South Africa is unique—it is a mix of massive international conglomerates and agile local mills fighting for shelf space in a price-sensitive economy.

Whether you are looking to stock your shop or just want to support local industry, here is your guide to the companies keeping South Africa stocked.

The “Big Two”: Dominating the SA Market

While there are dozens of smaller converters, two giants dominate the South African tissue landscape. If you are buying from a major retailer like Checkers, Pick n Pay, or Woolworths, chances are you are buying from one of these two.

1. Kimberly-Clark South Africa

  • Headquarters: Bedfordview, Gauteng (Mills in Springs & Cape Town)
  • Flagship Brand: Baby Soft
  • Market Position: Kimberly-Clark is the heavyweight of premium softness. Their Baby Soft brand is arguably the most recognized toilet paper in the country. They focus heavily on 2-ply and 3-ply “luxury” segments. They also own the Scott brand, which is a staple in the B2B (business-to-business) sector for offices and malls.

2. Twinsaver Group

  • Headquarters: Bryanston, Gauteng
  • Flagship Brand: Twinsaver
  • Market Position: A proud local giant, Twinsaver is the largest manufacturer of branded tissue products in South Africa. They strike a balance between premium comfort and affordability. They are also leaders in the “Away From Home” (AFH) sector—meaning if you use a restroom in a South African airport or hospital, you are likely using a Twinsaver product.

How Toilet Paper Manufactures Its Way Through SA Challenges

Manufacturing in South Africa comes with unique hurdles that global companies don’t always face. To understand the price on the shelf, you have to understand the factory floor.

1. The “Load Shedding” Factor

Tissue manufacturing is energy-intensive. The massive machines that dry and crepe paper (Yankee Dryers) need constant heat and power. Local toilet paper manufacturers have had to invest heavily in generators and solar solutions to keep lines running during power cuts. This investment drives up production costs, which is why we’ve seen shelf prices creep up over the last few years.

2. The “Virgin vs. Recycled” Debate

  • Virgin Pulp: Sourced from wood chips (often eucalyptus in SA). It creates the softest, whitest paper (think Baby Soft).
  • Recycled Fiber: Sourced from office paper and newsprint (K3/K4 grades). South Africa actually faces shortages of quality waste paper for recycling because so much of it is exported.
    • Trend: We are seeing a rise in “mixed” rolls that use a blend of fibers to keep costs down without sacrificing too much softness.