| 1. Product Specification Control | The supplier should consistently control basis weight, roll width, roll diameter, core size, moisture, and paper grade according to the purchase specification. | Request a current technical data sheet, approved sample, production specification, and certificate of analysis for each shipment lot. | 15% | Clear tolerances and documented testing |
| 2. Fiber and Pulp Transparency | The mill should clearly identify whether the furnish uses virgin pulp, recycled fiber, or a defined blend, because fiber composition affects softness, strength, absorbency, and appearance. | Check pulp origin statements, recycled-content documentation where applicable, supplier declarations, and consistency between samples and mass production. | 12% | Traceable furnish information |
| 3. Production Capacity | Capacity should be evaluated against the buyer’s monthly demand, required delivery frequency, machine availability, and peak-season requirements rather than by a single advertised output figure. | Review realistic monthly capacity, available machine lines, planned maintenance periods, historical order volume, and capacity reserved for export customers. | 12% | Capacity matches forecast demand |
| 4. Quality Management System | A reliable manufacturer should use documented incoming-material inspection, in-process controls, finished-roll inspection, nonconformity handling, and corrective-action procedures. | Ask for quality-process documents, inspection records, calibration records, defect classifications, and recent third-party audit results. | 12% | Repeatable, recorded QC process |
| 5. Food, Hygiene, and Chemical Compliance | For tissue intended for food contact, personal care, or sensitive-use applications, compliance requirements must be confirmed for the destination market. | Verify applicable declarations, laboratory test reports, restricted-substance controls, chemical safety documentation, and ink or additive compliance when relevant. | 10% | Destination-market documents available |
| 6. Export and Packaging Capability | Parent rolls require stable wrapping, moisture protection, edge protection, labeling, palletization, and container-loading procedures to reduce transit damage. | Review packaging drawings, loading photographs, pallet specifications, carton or wrapping materials, shipping marks, and packaging test results. | 10% | Packaging protects rolls in transit |
| 7. Lead Time and Delivery Reliability | The supplier should provide a production lead time that includes raw-material planning, manufacturing, inspection, packing, and export documentation. | Compare quoted lead time with historical delivery performance, order-confirmation procedures, delay-notification rules, and backup production arrangements. | 10% | Documented and measurable delivery record |
| 8. Cost Structure and Commercial Terms | The lowest quoted price is not always the lowest total cost; freight, moisture loss, rejected rolls, packaging, payment terms, and currency exposure should be included. | Request a comparable quotation showing product price, Incoterm, minimum order quantity, payment terms, packing charges, sample charges, and validity period. | 10% | Comparable landed-cost calculation |
| 9. Customization and Technical Support | Suitable suppliers should be able to discuss reel dimensions, converting-machine compatibility, strength targets, softness requirements, packaging, and trial-order adjustments. | Evaluate sample-development speed, technical communication, trial-roll support, problem-solving ability, and willingness to provide process recommendations. | 5% | Responsive technical cooperation |
| 10. Sustainability and Traceability | Sustainability claims should be supported by traceability and applicable certification or audit evidence, not only by marketing statements. | Check chain-of-custody documentation where claimed, recycled-fiber evidence where applicable, energy and water-management policies, waste controls, and audit scope. | 4% | Claims supported by evidence |