EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ 2026 will return to the Hotel Miragem in Cascais, Portugal, from 22–24 September 2026, marking the 25th edition of the conference and bringing together senior decision-makers from across the absorbent hygiene, personal care and wipes industries.
The three-day event comes at a critical period for the sector, as companies navigate changing European regulations covering packaging, single-use products, product safety and end-of-life management, while continuing to deliver safe, reliable and affordable products for consumers across baby care, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence.
OUTLOOK™ Marks 25 Years of Industry Insight
First launched in Monaco in 2001 with a focus on baby diapers and menstrual protection, OUTLOOK™ has evolved alongside the industry. Its scope has expanded to include adult incontinence, wipes, international product safety, environmental compliance and broader market and consumer trends.
The conference previously visited Cascais in 2007. Its return to the Portuguese coastal city in 2026 represents another milestone for the long-running industry gathering.
“OUTLOOK™ has never aimed to be the biggest or the loudest event on the calendar; it has aimed to be the most valuable,” said Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA and CEO of the Global Nonwovens Alliance. He highlighted market intelligence, regulatory analysis, consumer insights and technical expertise as key elements that enable delegates to make informed strategic decisions.
Global Market and Economic Challenges in Focus
The conference will open with a keynote on “The Teflon world economy and what could finally break it”, delivered by Henry Curr, Economics Editor at The Economist. His presentation will examine the resilience of global markets following geopolitical disruption, AI-driven labour changes and other economic shocks, while considering structural risks that could influence demand and capital investment.
The first major industry session, “Market Drivers in a Challenging Environment,” will examine changing polyolefin supply, pricing pressures, post-crisis supply chains and the expansion of Chinese hygiene manufacturers into European markets.
Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance
A dedicated Global Product Safety Compliance Panel will explore the increasingly complex regulatory environment affecting consumer products across the EU, US and China.
Moderated by Luminita Barbu, Regulatory Affairs Director at EDANA, the session will bring together legal and regulatory experts, including Claudio Mereu and Natalie Konings of Bird & Bird, to discuss international safety initiatives, regulatory convergence and divergence, and their practical implications for manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.
Consumer Trends Reshape Absorbent Hygiene
Day two will begin with a keynote by retail futurist Theresa Schleicher, titled “Next Growth: The Bigger Consumer Shifts on the Horizon.” The session will examine changing consumer behaviour, economic resilience and emerging growth opportunities for the absorbent hygiene market.
A senior leadership panel, “The Consumer Lens: Redefining Value in Absorbent Hygiene,” will then explore how expectations around sustainability, dignity and transparency are changing the definition of value across feminine care, adult incontinence and baby care.
The panel will include Sara Järup of Essity, Matrice Jackson of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Giulia Antonioli of Procter & Gamble.
Wipes and Circularity Take Centre Stage
The transition toward plastic-free wipes will also feature prominently at OUTLOOK™ 2026. The session “Wipes: The Pros and Cons of Going Plastic-Free” will examine European policy measures, including the Single-Use Plastics Directive, EPR schemes and EMPCO, alongside total cost of ownership and performance considerations.
Industry experts will discuss the technical and commercial trade-offs between pulp and viscose spunlace materials, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.
Another key session, “Can Absorbent Hygiene Products Become Circular?”, will focus on practical approaches to circularity in the nonwovens industry. Led by Rawaa Ammar, Sustainability Director at EDANA, the session will feature Jeff Stubbe, CEO of Woosh, sharing operational experience related to closing the diaper loop and developing economically viable circular business models.
Exhibition and Networking Opportunities
Beyond the conference programme, OUTLOOK™ 2026 will provide opportunities for business development and networking.
A dedicated tabletop exhibition will feature 20 companies showcasing technologies, materials and services for the sector. Private meeting rooms will also be available for commercial discussions and partnerships.
Delegates will additionally participate in a welcome cocktail at Hotel Miragem and an evening reception at the historic Valverde Sintra Palácio in the Sintra hills.
More than 500 senior professionals from across the value chain are expected to attend, including raw material suppliers, machinery manufacturers, converters, brand owners and retailers.
Registration for OUTLOOK™ 2026 is open, with companies registering four or more delegates eligible for a 15% discount.
The 25th edition of OUTLOOK™ is positioned as an important meeting point for the absorbent hygiene and nonwovens industries as businesses assess regulatory changes, evolving consumer expectations, sustainability requirements and new opportunities for growth.