From the Sector

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global chemical company, is partnering with Chulalongkorn University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the Chula LGO Program. The collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to developing future leaders, cultivating a world-class global talent pipeline, and bringing outside-in perspectives that accelerate innovation, operational excellence, and long-term sustainable growth. 

The Chula LGO Program is a two-year dual-degree master’s program offered by Chulalongkorn University through the Faculty of Engineering and Chulalongkorn Business School, and developed in partnership with MIT Leaders for Global Operations (LGO). The Program integrates engineering, business management, leadership development, and industry-based learning to prepare future leaders to address complex industrial and operational challenges. Graduates will receive a Master of Engineering degree from Chulalongkorn University and an MBA from Chulalongkorn Business School. 

As a Tier Founder Sponsor, Indorama Ventures supports the development of future industry leaders equipped with both engineering expertise and strategic business capabilities to address increasingly complex global industrial challenges. This contribution includes funding two scholarships for outstanding students pursuing the dual-degree program. Reflecting the company's commitment to developing talent at every stage, this year's scholarship recipients include both an external student and an existing Indorama Ventures employee, demonstrating its investment in attracting new talent while empowering its people to continue growing as future leaders. 

Upon completion of the program, scholarship recipients will undertake a six-month fellowship with Indorama Ventures, gaining exposure to industrial operations and business transformation initiatives across the organization. They will also have the chance to pursue careers with Indorama Ventures, supporting the company's long-term strategy to build a diverse, high-performing, and future-ready workforce. 

Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said, “Developing future leaders with both technical expertise and business acumen is essential to driving innovation and long-term value. That is why Indorama Ventures chose to become a Founder Sponsor of the Chula LGO Program as we believe Thailand is home to exceptional talent. By combining world-class education with industry collaboration today, we are helping develop the next generation of leaders who will contribute toward the future of the broader chemical industry.” 

Mr. Nicolas Seguin, Chief Human Resources Officer of Indorama Ventures, added “At Indorama Ventures, we believe our greatest asset is our people. These scholarships reflect our commitment to developing talent at every stage of the professional journey, supporting outstanding external students while also investing in the continued growth of our own employees. Combined with the fellowship program, the initiative gives participants the opportunity to learn alongside our experienced professionals, gain first-hand exposure to a global chemicals manufacturing environment, and apply their knowledge to real business challenges.” 

Professor Dr. Sawekchai Tangaramvong, Chair of the Chula–Leaders for Global Operations (Chula LGO) Program, said “Indorama Ventures' support strengthens the Chula LGO Program's ability to connect interdisciplinary education with real industrial challenges beyond the classroom. Through the scholarships and fellowship program, students gain invaluable industry experience while developing the engineering, management, and leadership capabilities needed to solve complex challenges. These experiences help prepare graduates to contribute to Thailand's industrial transformation and sustainable growth.” 

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. 

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. 

Session 2 — Global Product Safety Compliance Panel: Moderated by Luminita Barbu (Regulatory Affairs Director, EDANA), this high-level panel addresses the complex matrix of international consumer product safety regulations, compliance standards, and policy trends. Featuring legal and regulatory authorities—including Claudio Mereu and Natalie Konings, Partners at Bird & Bird—the discussion will highlight the practical implications of international initiatives such as the UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety, alongside regulatory divergence and convergence across the EU, US, and China. 

Day 2 Keynote — Future Retail Trends & Consumer Shifts: Renowned retail futurist Theresa Schleicher opens Day 2 with her keynote, "Next Growth: The Bigger Consumer Shifts on the Horizon." Widely regarded as one of Europe's leading retail futurists, Schleicher is a former Managing Director at Hirschen Group, an author of acclaimed retail trend studies, a retail start-up investor, and a strategic sparring partner for Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Zukunftsinstitut, and global giants like Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, and Beiersdorf. Her session will uncover macro consumer trends, economic resilience, and emerging opportunities in absorbent hygiene. 

Session 3 — The Consumer Lens: Redefining Value in Absorbent Hygiene: Moderated by Murat Dogru, this senior leadership panel puts the consumer perspective at the centre of innovation. Featuring senior leaders including Sara Järup (Global Material Development Director at Essity), Matrice Jackson (Director, Global R&D at Kimberly-Clark Corporation), and Giulia Antonioli (Head of Communications, Reputation & Public Affairs, Baby Care Europe at Procter & Gamble), the panel examines how consumer expectations around sustainability, dignity, and transparency are redefining value across femcare, adult incontinence, and baby care. 

Session 4 — The Transition in Wipes & Interactive Q&A: Focusing on "Wipes: The Pros and Cons of Going Plastic-Free," this session brings together technical and public affairs experts—including Brieuc Lits (EDANA), Wolfgang Tenbusch (Albaad Deutschland), Sergio Rosales Calderon and Sebastien Monges (BCNonwovens), and Elisabeth Swennenhuis (Magnera Corporation)—to evaluate EU policy tools (SUPD, EMPCO, EPR schemes), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and the performance trade-offs of pulp versus viscose spunlace. The session concludes with a dedicated live Q&A and open floor discussion with the audience. 

Session 5 — Can Absorbent Hygiene Products Become Circular? Led by EDANA’s Sustainability Director, Rawaa Ammar, this forward-looking session explores actionable circularity for the nonwovens sector. Featuring insights from Jeff Stubbe, CEO of Woosh, the session shares real-world operational lessons on closing the diaper loop and demonstrating that circularity can operate as an economically viable business model rather than a small-scale trial. 
    
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.     

Private Meeting Rooms: Dedicated business spaces designed for private discussions and commercial partnerships. 
    
Evening Social Programme: Delegates will connect during the welcome cocktail at Hotel Miragem and an evening reception at the historic Valverde Sintra Palácio, set in the scenic hills of Sintra. 

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.

At Booth 50, Eastman will present U.S.-produced Naia™ staple fibers and filament yarns for casualwear and activewear, supporting closer collaboration across the regional value chain.

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ from Eastman brand is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18 to 20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Produced in the United States, Naia™ offers regional manufacturers, brands and sourcing teams a cellulosic fiber option within the western hemisphere, creating opportunities for direct dialogue and new collaborations across the regional textile and apparel supply chain.

At Booth 50, Eastman will showcase both Naia™ staple fiber and filament yarn offerings for casualwear and activewear. A key focus of the presentation will be Naia™ On The Move, an application designed for active, everyday wear and built around Naia™ Renew staple fiber, made with 40% GRS-certified recycled materials* and 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp. The application demonstrates how Naia™ fiber blends can deliver next-to-skin comfort, breathability and a soft hand feel, together with moisture management and quick-dry performance. 

Developed to help garments stay fresh and comfortable throughout the day, Naia™ On The Move highlights the versatility needed for urban lifestyles, where changing temperatures, humidity and active routines call for adaptable apparel solutions. 

“The western hemisphere is becoming an increasingly important part of the sourcing conversation,” said Chad Doub, Global Segment Market Manager, Casual Wear and Home at Eastman. “Our participation in Guatemala gives us the opportunity to build new relationships and explore how Naia™ staple fibers and filament yarns can support innovative fabric developments for casualwear and activewear. We believe Naia™ On The Move, our application designed for this segment, is particularly well suited to the needs of the region and of the brands sourcing here, where versatility, comfort and performance are increasingly important.”

The Apparel Sourcing Show brings together businesses operating across the textile and apparel supply chain, including textiles, machinery, accessories, services and manufacturing. Eastman’s participation also builds on its engagement with the Americas Apparel Producers’ Network.

Following the 2026 pro:Americas Annual Conference in May, the Guatemala show represents another step in the company’s efforts to connect with businesses developing more integrated supply chains across the region.