Brussels, Belgium, 20 August 2026 – The market does not wait, and it does not grant easy answers. Across the absorbent hygiene, personal care, and wipes sectors, business is undergoing a period of intense, necessary adjustment. New European rules on packaging, single-use items, product safety, and end-of-life are forcing companies to drop old assumptions about materials and performance. At the same time, producers must keep their goods safe, reliable, and affordable for the babies and aging adults, who rely on them every day.
From 22 to 24 September 2026, EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ returns to the Hotel Miragem in Cascais, Portugal, for its twenty-fifth edition of the conference.
OUTLOOK™ began in Monaco in 2001. It focused then on baby diapers and menstrual protection. Over a quarter of a century, the work expanded. It grew to cover adult incontinence, wipes, complex international product safety, and strict environmental compliance. In 2007, the conference met in Cascais. Returning to the Portuguese coast this September marks a milestone, but the focus remains squarely on the work ahead.
"OUTLOOK™ has never aimed to be the biggest or the loudest event on the calendar; it has aimed to be the most valuable" - Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA and CEO of the Global Nonwovens Alliance.
"OUTLOOK™ has never aimed to be the biggest or the loudest event on the calendar; it has aimed to be the most valuable," says Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA and CEO of the Global Nonwovens Alliance. "Delegates come for market intelligence, regulatory analysis, consumer insights, and technical expertise that help them make better strategic decisions. Digital tools are useful, but trust is built face to face. Ideas are challenged more openly when people stand in the same room."
The three-day programme takes on the hardest questions in the supply chain directly:
Day 1 Keynote — Global Macroeconomics & Shocks: Henry Curr, Economics Editor at The Economist, will open the plenary with his keynote presentation, "The Teflon world economy and what could finally break it." Curr oversees global economics coverage for The Economist and has written some 30 cover stories on labour markets, public debt, the future of global commerce, and the risks of "homeland economics" and green protectionism. Drawing on discussions with top policymakers and executives, he will explore how global markets have absorbed successive crises—from geopolitical conflicts to AI-driven labour disruption—and what structural risks could still disrupt demand and capital investment.
Session 1 — Market Drivers in a Challenging Environment: Moderated by Jacques Prigneaux (Market Analysis & Economic Affairs Director, EDANA), this session examines the pivotal market drivers redefining the competitive landscape. Industry specialists Kaushik Mitra (Chemical Market Analytics by Dow Jones), Dr. Annika Trümpler (Schlegel und Partner), and Natalia Bezrebra (Euromonitor) will address shifting polyolefin supply, pricing downslides, post-crisis supply chains, and the strategic expansion of major Chinese hygiene manufacturers entering the European market.
Exhibition, Business Meetings & Networking
Beyond the conference hall, OUTLOOK™ 2026 provides extensive commercial and networking platforms:
Tabletop Exhibition: A dedicated showcase featuring 20 innovative companies presenting advanced technologies, materials, and services.
OUTLOOK™ 2026 is built for decision-makers. Alongside the plenary sessions, the event hosts a curated tabletop exhibition of 20 innovators, dedicated private meeting rooms for commercial discussions, and structured networking. Delegates will also gather for an evening reception at the historic Valverde Sintra Palácio in the Sintra hills.
More than 500 senior leaders across the value chain—raw material suppliers, machine builders, converters, brand owners, and retailers—will attend. You can track industry shifts from behind a desk, but you cannot replace being present when the sector evaluates itself and decides its course.
Registration is open! Companies registering four or more delegates simultaneously receive a 15% discount. To view the full programme and secure your pass, visit the following link.
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