Organized by EDANA in order to solve the problems of textile industry, OUTLOOK 2013 Coference which constitutes a guide for personal care industry was organised on 09-11 October 2013 in Portugal. The event gathered about 200 companies and professional participants from 30 countries that have knowledge and experience in terms of nonwoven production and technologies. Within the framework of the conference, work environment in the sector, future perspectives, retail and ready wear trends, rising markets and latest developments, nanotechnology and sustainability were addressed in the light of the EU legislation.
At the beginning of the conference, Country Publication Director of Economist Intelligence Unit, Robert Ward, shared his information on the developments in the global economy for ensuing ten years as well as the economy markets to become prominent in the future. In his speech, Ward touched upon some new markets for nonwoven personal care products and emphasized that African markets were important in terms of aging population and national economical potential.
Pierre Wiertz, General Director of EDANA, said in the closing session of OUTLOOK that nonwoven manufacturers should acts by considering that consumers' needs and demands may change in the future while manufacturing smart, effective and efficient products. Wiertz added that: “You, manufacturers, saw today that today's consumers are more demanding depending on the characteristics of the product in addition to expecting the manufacturer to act in favor of the society. We are pleased to see that member firms are getting prepared for future needs of consumers from now on by adopting this view thanks to Vision 2020 work of EDANA and to witness how these firms cope with these demands.”
Participants also found the opportunity of reviewing information on technology and data transfer for Europe and Brasil, market data and trends, “Don't throw into the water closet” symbol proposal included in the guide prepared with the joint work of EDANA and INDA, development and use of raw material and the effect of cosmetic regulations on wet towels. The next edition of Outlook will be held in Barcelona on 24-26 September 2014.
“Guide” Prepared Jointly by EDANA and INDA
Two global partners of nonwoven industry, Edana and Inda, announced the third edition of the “Guide” on the assessment of Flushability of disposable nonwoven products. The guide which was firstly prepared in 2008 and whose latest version includes the rules adopted in 2009 aims at determining which products are flushable and which are not and at ensuring the use of the symbol of “Don't throw into the water closet” in order to prevent the unsuitable products from being thrown into the water closets.
The advisory guide developed by two partners of the industry on the basis of the feedbacks of manufacturers will play a key role in product developments. Adopting the perspective of the first two versions, the Guide was developed in order to eliminate certain ambiguities. 7 basic tests were applied for the solution of the problem. Tests were applied in the existing infrastructure systems of municipalities without an additional waste water infrastructure. In order to be able to apply a healthier waster water management, nonwoven manufacturers are expected to comply with the labelling conditions and rules.
