EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ 2026 Returns to Cascais for 25th Edition, Focusing on Industry Transformation
Leaders from the absorbent hygiene, personal care and wipes sectors will meet in Portugal to discuss regulation, consumer trends, sustainability and circularity.
EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ conference will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026 at Hotel Miragem in Cascais, Portugal, marking the 25th edition of the event.
The conference was first held in Monaco in 2001, focusing on baby diapers and menstrual protection. Since then, it has expanded to include adult incontinence, wipes, international product safety and environmental compliance. The event was previously hosted in Cascais in 2007.
Commenting on the event, Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA and CEO of the Global Nonwovens Alliance, said:
"OUTLOOKTM has never aimed to be the biggest or the loudest event on the calendar; it has aimed to be the most valuable. 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."
Conference programme
The three-day programme includes keynote sessions, panel discussions and technical presentations covering market developments, regulation, consumer trends and sustainability.
Day 1 Keynote — Global Macroeconomics & Shocks
Henry Curr, Economics Editor at The Economist, will deliver the keynote presentation titled "The Teflon world economy and what could finally break it." The session will examine how global markets have responded to successive crises and the structural risks that could affect demand and capital investment.
Session 1 — Market Drivers in a Challenging Environment
Moderated by Jacques Prigneaux, Market Analysis & Economic Affairs Director at EDANA, this session will feature Kaushik Mitra (Chemical Market Analytics by Dow Jones), Dr. Annika Trümpler (Schlegel und Partner) and Natalia Bezrebra (Euromonitor). Discussions will focus on polyolefin supply, pricing trends, supply chains and the expansion of Chinese hygiene manufacturers into Europe.
Session 2 — Global Product Safety Compliance Panel
Moderated by Luminita Barbu, Regulatory Affairs Director at EDANA, the panel will examine international consumer product safety regulations and compliance requirements. Speakers include Claudio Mereu and Natalie Konings, Partners at Bird & Bird, who will discuss international initiatives such as the UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety and regulatory developments across the EU, US and China.
Day 2 programme
Future Retail Trends & Consumer Shifts
Theresa Schleicher will present the keynote "Next Growth: The Bigger Consumer Shifts on the Horizon." The session will explore consumer trends, economic resilience and opportunities within the absorbent hygiene sector.
Session 3 — The Consumer Lens: Redefining Value in Absorbent Hygiene
Moderated by Murat Dogru, the panel will include Sara Järup (Essity), Matrice Jackson (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) and Giulia Antonioli (Procter & Gamble). The discussion will focus on consumer expectations related to sustainability, transparency and product value across femcare, adult incontinence and baby care.
Session 4 — The Transition in Wipes & Interactive Q&A
The session titled "Wipes: The Pros and Cons of Going Plastic-Free" will feature Brieuc Lits (EDANA), Wolfgang Tenbusch (Albaad Deutschland), Sergio Rosales Calderon and Sebastien Monges (BCNonwovens), and Elisabeth Swennenhuis (Magnera Corporation). Topics include the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), EMPCO, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and comparisons between pulp and viscose spunlace materials. The session concludes with a live audience Q&A.
Session 5 — Can Absorbent Hygiene Products Become Circular?
Led by Rawaa Ammar, Sustainability Director at EDANA, the session will feature Jeff Stubbe, CEO of Woosh, who will present operational experiences related to circularity in absorbent hygiene products.
Exhibition and networking
OUTLOOK™ 2026 will also include:
- A tabletop exhibition featuring 20 companies showcasing technologies, materials and services.
- Private meeting rooms for commercial discussions and business meetings.
- A welcome cocktail at Hotel Miragem.
- An evening reception at Valverde Sintra Palácio in Sintra.
The conference is expected to attract more than 500 senior leaders representing raw material suppliers, machine builders, converters, brand owners and retailers.
Registration for the event is open. Companies registering four or more delegates simultaneously are eligible for a 15% discount.