OUTLOOK™ PLUS LATIN AMERICA 2017 keeps its promises
The second edition of the only Latin American event for the nonwoven personal care industry gains momentum – attracting over 270 participants
The two global nonwoven trade associations, EDANA and INDA, closed the second edition of OUTLOOK™ Plus Latin America conference in São Paulo, Brazil, thanking participants for their overwhelming support, which encourages them to consider a bright future for this event. With a comprehensive conference programme and networking activities to encourage interaction, participants confirmed the event as an indispensable opportunity to bring the global industry together at the heart of Latin America.
Opening the conference, keynote presenter Welber Barral, Ph.D., outlined with clarity the challenges and opportunities for foreign direct investment in Brazil. Barrall outlined the hurdles, from customs tariffs to bureaucratic formalities, and advised patience and persistence with optimism for gradual improvement.
Presentations on market, product, and technology intelligence for hygiene and personal care were the focus of the first two days. Market leaders in the nonwoven and film markets for these products also shared their vision of the future. The regional demographic and consumer trends of relevance to the industry were highlighted throughout the conference. A session on the third and final day was dedicated to the use of nonwovens in healthcare and infection prevention applications and future opportunities.
More than 270 participants joined the conference and more than 25 companies took the opportunity to promote their products and services through tabletop exhibits.
“This is a great conference for us and a good time for Ontex as we now have operations in Brazil. We learned a lot about the country, the markets and the hygiene products serving them,” said Bart Waterschoot, Group Sustainability and Scientific Affairs Manager, Ontex.
“Many of the speakers confirmed the previous conference’s description of exciting market opportunities, acknowledging the impact of the economic downturn but also illustrating the resilience of the Latin American markets, and their variety, which is well understood by participants in the supply chain.” said Richard Company, Managing director, Clopay Brazil.
“EDANA is pleased to cooperate with INDA in helping the industry to make the best of those opportunities and together to continue to cater to the networking needs of all industry participants across the supply chain,” said EDANA’s chair Martin Rapp, Senior Vice- President & Composite Fibers Business Unit President, Glatfelter.
EDANA serves more than 240 companies across 32 countries in the nonwovens and related industries, helping its members to design their future. The Association’s mission is to create the foundation for sustainable growth of the nonwovens and related industries through active promotion, education and dialogue.
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry in global commerce. Since 1968, INDA events have helped members connect, learn, innovate and develop their businesses. INDA educational courses, market data, test methods, consultancy and issue advocacy help members succeed by providing them the information they need to better plan and execute their business strategies.