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OUTLOOK: A Focus on the Global Landscape in Budapest

Each year, the landscape of nonwovens is discussed in the context of market growth trends, opportunities, sustainability initiatives, innovations, technological advancements, and regulatory updates across the diaper, wet wipe, femcare, and incontinence product sectors at EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ event, and this year is no different. Held September 23-25, 2025 at the Marriott Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, inspirational speakers will be sure to expand the audience’s perspectives by delivering thoughtprovoking speeches on the major global trends shaping the future.

The program also includes an exposition, with space reservations still available for interested companies. Last year, the Expo Hall was a hub for networking and business dealings amongst top industry companies. “I was highly impressed by the well-organized OUTLOOK™ conference in Rome. The high level of interaction among participants and the quality of the lectures were outstanding. This gives me confidence that the industry is well-equipped to tackle future challenges,” notes Mikael Staal Axelsen CEO of Fibertex Personal Care.

“This event serves as a compact version of INDEX™ for the hygiene sector, offering the opportunity to connect with the right people. Exhibiting here not only saves us weeks of travel, but also provides a highly convenient platform to meet with participants,” shares the events top sponsor Johan Berlin, Managing Director of Investkonsult Sweden.

Program to Stimulate Ideas

The comprehensive three-day program will explore the latest trends in AHPs, compliance and competitiveness, and dedicated sessions on wipes and start- ups, with renowned speakers and interactive formats designed to spark dialogue and collaboration.

EDANA always brings top leaders who think outside the box to the lineup. This year much of the first day dedicated to global affairs.

The keynote, titled The Future of Global Alliances: Impacts on International Business, is being presented by Ivo H. Daalder, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. At OUTLOOK, he’ll explore how shifting global alliances are reshaping international trade and what this means for business. Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience, he will provide his seasoned strategic insights to navigating today’s evolving geopolitical and economic landscape.

The Great Diaper Shakeup 2025, a session from Japan Trivedi, International Business Development Head, Narula Nonwoven Company, explores the latest trends in the AHP market in developing countries, such as what’s triggering the global retreat of diaper giants – and what power shifts are reshaping the AHP industry?; How can local and regional players seize the moment with agile models, sustainability, and smart risk hedging? What does the future of premium hygiene products look like in high-risk, high-growth markets?

IFJ ’s International Correspondent to Africa, Raymond Chimhandamba, Director of Handas Consulting, will review the South African nonwovens marketplace, and the market of China is discussed by Baoping (Lucy) Cao, Deputy Secretary General, CNHPI. Other international speakers may join this session.

On the topic of Compliance and Competitiveness in a Changing and Diverging World, Ruxandra Cana, Partner at Step- profile/ivo-daalder/. toe will evaluate the the impact of the EU’s competitiveness agenda on Green Deal implementation; EU’s sustainable finance framework designed to promote sustainable investments and reporting (CSRD, CS3D and Taxonomy); ESPR and new sustainability parameters regulations – where EU product policy is headed; “Traditional” Product Regulations, e.g., REACH; the fate of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) legislation in the U.S.; and green claims, potential private claims – compliance or competitiveness?

These sessions are followed by a panel discussion.

A deeper dive into segments follows on day two, with the opening session on wipes. Elisabeth Swennenhuis, Manager Market Insight, Suominen will share thoughts on how earth’s boundaries come to play for the wipes industry, such as key legislative changes currently affecting the wipes industry, how the regulations impact the availability and sourcing of raw materials, consumer behavior shaping the future of the wipes sector, and emerging challenges to note.

Cocktails at the Castle

One hallmark of EDANA meetings are the social events. This year in Budapest, guests are treated to an evening of networking and cocktails at the Buda Castle’s Golden Bastion.

More event details will be revealed closer to the event.

www.edana.org/events/outlook/ outlook-2025

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