The present invention is directed to a novel process for manufacturing an absorbent article comprising the steps of: providing a first sheet layer (2); providing an array of pockets (4, 4a) into said first sheet layer; providing a pre-metered amount of SAP particulate material (6); said pre-metered amount of SAP material being delivered from a rotating delivering drum (101, 111), said drum having apertures (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 113a, 113b, 113c) on its periphery corresponding to the array of pockets (4, 4a), said pre-metered amount of SAP material being delivered from the inner part of said drum (101, 111) through said apertures (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 113a, 113b, 113c); providing a second sheet layer (7) material and affixing it for sandwiching with the first sheet layer; finishing the absorbent article.