From the Sector

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.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that the conference program is now available for Hygienix™ 2026, the premier global event for the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets. Hygienix will take place Nov. 16–19 at the Hyatt Regency Houston in Houston, Texas.

Conference Program
The conference program will feature the future of absorbent hygiene products, materials, manufacturing, and consumer care. Key topics include:

• Global energy, economic, and market trends influencing raw material costs, supply chains, product affordability, and business strategy
• Emerging consumer expectations, adult incontinence solutions, product insecurity, and opportunities to improve comfort, dignity, and access
• Advances in absorbent cores, superabsorbent materials, polymers, nonwovens, adhesives, fluid management, skin health, and next-generation product design
• Sustainability, biodegradability, manufacturing efficiency, and end-of-life considerations driving material and product innovation
• Evolving regulatory, legislative, reimbursement, and industry standards affecting absorbent hygiene manufacturers and suppliers

Event Highlights
Pre-Conference Workshops – Monday, Nov. 16
Hygienix will offer three interactive pre-conference workshops:

• “Inside the Absorbent Core: A Hands-On Systems Approach to Fluid Control” – Jim Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC
• “Inside Sustainable Hygiene: A Hands-On Reality Check for Materials, Claims, End-of-Life, and U.S. Compliance” – Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC
• “Inside the Diaper Market: Hands-On Benchmarking, Performance, and Trends” – Natalia Richer, Director of Business Development, and Irene Richer, Director of Laboratory Operations, Diaper Testing International

Networking Opportunities
Attendees will have multiple opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and connect with absorbent hygiene industry leaders and solution providers, including:

• Lunch Around – An extended networking lunch designed to encourage meaningful conversations with industry leaders; seating is limited
• Lightning Talks – Five-minute exhibitor presentations highlighting new technologies, products, and capabilities
• Evening Receptions and Exhibits – Opportunities to meet leading suppliers serving the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets
• Welcome Reception – A lively opening-night event bringing attendees together to kick off Hygienix

Lifetime Service Awards
Carl Cucuzza and Pricie Hanna, the 2025 and 2026 Lifetime Service Award recipients, respectively, will be recognized during a presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 4:15 p.m.

The Lifetime Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided longstanding service to the absorbent hygiene and personal care industry and contributed to its growth and advancement.

Hygienix Innovation Award™
The Hygienix Innovation Award™ will recognize an innovative technology that is advancing the absorbent hygiene and personal care industry. Finalists will present their technologies on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the winner will be announced during the closing session on Thursday, Nov. 19. Nominations for the 2026 Hygienix Innovation Award close Sept. 14.

The 2025 award recipient, Confitex Technology Ltd., was recognized for its Washable Nonwoven Sanitary Pad, designed to provide a sustainable and scalable solution without the use of superabsorbent polymers.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical producer, reported significantly stronger first-half 2026 earnings, reflecting favorable market conditions together with continued progress in strengthening the Company’s operating fundamentals. 

For the first half of 2026, the Company reported revenue of THB 245.3 billion, up 4% year-on-year, and EBITDA of THB 29.7 billion, up 61%. Second-quarter EBITDA was particularly strong, with all four business segments delivering year-on-year improvement. Operating cash flow after maintenance capital expenditure increased 78% to THB 25.9 billion. Strong cash generation supported further deleveraging, with Net Debt-to-Equity improving to 1.56x, reaching the Company's Capital Markets Day target for 2026 ahead of schedule. 

Management’s continued execution of IVL 2.0 self-help actions, including Sales & Operations Execution (S&OE), inventory discipline and working capital management, also supported stronger cash conversion, with inventory turnover improving to 5.0x in the second quarter from 4.7x at the end of 2025. Operating rates were prudently managed to align production with inventory targets and protect margin quality in a period of volatile pricing. 

Looking ahead, Indorama Ventures expects some of the exceptionally strong second-quarter market tailwinds to normalize. The Company’s priorities for the remainder of 2026 are to deliver sustainable earnings under normalized spreads, convert those earnings into free cash flow, reduce absolute net debt, and improve returns on capital. 

Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said, “Our first-half performance reflects both supportive market conditions and the progress we are making through the self-help actions we have taken to strengthen Indorama Ventures. Markets will normalize, so the more important test is whether we can convert the advantages of the platform we have built over three decades - our scale, integration, global footprint, local-for-local operating model and customer positions, into more consistent earnings, stronger cash generation and higher returns through the cycle. 
We are beginning to see that translation in our performance. Greater discipline in how we manage our operations, inventory and working capital is improving cash generation, while our portfolio actions are strengthening the quality of the business and improving returns on capital. Together, these actions are building a more agile and financially resilient Indorama Ventures. 
We remain confident in our 2026 expectations and 2028 ambitions. Our focus is to continue executing on what we can control, strengthen our balance sheet and improve returns, while retaining the flexibility to capture growth opportunities as markets evolve.” 

The earnings improvement was led by Combined PET, supported by favorable market conditions and the benefits of Indorama Ventures’ integrated global platform and local-for-local operating model. Indovida continued its growth momentum, supported by its market-leading packaging position, customer intimacy and organic growth initiatives. Indovinya delivered strong performance across both High Value Applications and Essentials, supported by commercial excellence initiatives. Fibers improved sequentially in the second quarter supported by stable Hygiene demand and transformation efforts, despite continued weakness in Lifestyle and Mobility end markets.