Brussels – Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2011, Outlook, the Personal Care Products Conference organised by EDANA once again met in Budapest. With a focus on global markets, the more than 360 delegates were presented with information on innovation models and methods, regulatory support, environmental and waste management, bioplastics, and the challenges and opportunities facing the European, MENA, Indian and global nonwovens markets.
Launching the conference, Robert Ward, Director of Global Forecasting for the Economist Intelligence Unit advised the audience to be prepared for volatility, providing an update on the status of key economic indicators, and how they have the potential to affect national or regional markets. While much of the focus on economic indicators reflected the conditions in the United States, and across the Euro zone, Robert identified four countries to watch for high potential, called the “NUTS”, comprised of Nigeria, Ukraine, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, there is promising news in some key markets, with the development of rising disposable income for persons living in inland China, and the considerable potential in India thanks to a large young population, and a strong individual practice of saving and investment. Brazil was also identified as holding promise, with a wealth of potential, but the need to reform taxes, and develop infrastructure, and select countries in Africa, who are able to draw on a young population and fast growth.
Feedback from participants underlined the satisfaction with the mix and quality of papers, expressing interest in both the topics presented in 2011, and the range of speakers by their content, industry experience, and geographic reach.
Speakers also covered innovation from the management, optimisation of technology and transfer of knowledge, status and trends of the Indian and Asia markets, mixing culture and business, EDANA’s Nonwovens Vision 2020 and product stewardship approach, incontinence care, the role of plastics and bioplastics, environmental management for waste, forest certification and retail expectations, and the regulatory aspect of nanomaterials in nonwovens.
The next edition of Outlook will take place in downtown Barcelona, from the 26-28 September 2012. Details about the location, and booking forms for the hotel will be posted to the EDANA website shortly.
About EDANA
EDANA is the leading association, serving more than 230 member companies in the nonwovens and related industries, in over 30 countries. Its mission is to create the foundation for sustainable growth of the nonwovens and related industries through active promotion, education and dialogue. Information about upcoming events can be found at www.edana.org.
Contact
Abby Bailey, Marketing and Communications Director
edana
+32 2 734 93 10
Fax: +32 2 733 35 18
abby.bailey@edana.org
