The process enables production of sanitary articles that can be worn as a pair of pants (such as, for instance, nappies or bariatric pants) comprising a central body (2), which can be set in a concave configuration around the crotch region of the user and at least one pair of side panels (3, 4), which are connected to the central body (2) and are to define at least in part the waistband of the article (1). The process envisages obtaining an intermediate product constituted by one or more assembly webs (1000; 1000a, 1000b) which carries/carry applied thereon, on at least one of its sides, a plurality of said side panels (3, 4), each having a proximal edge (6) applied on said assembly web (1000; 1000a, 1000b). The side panels (3, 4) are connected to the central body (2) by connecting to the central body (2) itself a portion of assembly web (1000; 1000a; 1000b) which carries applied thereon a respective side panel (3, 4).