EDANA’s MENA Nonwovens Conference is a premier event tailored to nonwovens professionals and business leaders in the Middle East and North Africa. Previously entitled the MENA Nonwovens Symposium, the fifth edition of this landmark event will take place on January 24-25, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Comprised of 18 very diverse countries, MENA is home to almost 500 million people, with a 1.5 per cent annual population growth, and a GDP of $4.41 trillion.

The MENA Nonwovens Conference will serve as a pivotal gathering for global leaders, innovators, and stakeholders within the nonwovens sector to learn more about how demographic shifts and economic developments in the region are impacting the nonwovens industry. Over two days, expert speakers from leading organisations will address pivotal developments in consumer and market trends, raw materials, circularity, absorbent hygiene products, and nonwovens in health, EDANA said in a press release.

Companies will have the opportunity to showcase their expertise at a tabletop exhibition, allowing them to maximise their business connections with attendees. As many as 20 exhibitors have already confirmed their presence, including A.Celli Nonwovens, Fibertex Personal Care, PFNonwovens, SGN and United Saudi Company.

Experts including, Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s market analysis and economic affairs director, will open the conference with a market overview for the MENA region, including exploring investment opportunities in emerging sectors.

Other speakers include EDANA board member Mahdy Katbe, president and CEO, Unicharm Gulf Hygienic Industries; Dr. Karsten Voss, scientist research manager, H.B. Fuller; Michael Wong, vice-president JOFO Group; and Marcel Gruendken, global senior manager, market development, elastic components, Kuraray Group all of whom will deliver presentations during a session on nonwovens in personal care.

Fresh on the heels of the extremely successful first edition of the EDANA Sustainability Forum, there will also be a session addressing innovative sustainable solutions for the future of the industry featuring speakers from ExxonMobil and SABIC, the release added.

Held at the prestigious Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the MENA Nonwovens Conference is a unique opportunity for professionals in the nonwovens sector to meet, network, and gain the latest insights on crucial developments in the sector. The previous edition of the event gathered over 200 delegates from more than 100 companies and elicited extremely positive feedback from attendees.

“This [conference] has recognised the importance of the MENA region for the nonwovens industry and allowed my team and me to meet many of our customers in a friendly, informative, and efficient way. The diverse range of presentations and delegates has helped further cement the region as a growth generator for the industry," said Haitham Alhudhaif, president, Saudi German Co for Nonwoven Products.