In January 2024, over 120 delegates from more than 85 companies and 22 countries gathered in Dubai, UAE for the MENA Nonwovens Conference. Back with a new name and new logo, this was the fifth edition of the event, which was previously known as the Middle East & North Africa Symposium, the region’s premier conference for the nonwovens industry.

 

Featuring 16 speakers, the conference opened with a fireside chat with Stefano Martinelli, Vice President UAE and KSA for Amazon. Split into four sessions, the programme continued with a market overview in the region followed by presentations on nonwovens in personal care, nonwovens & health, and raw materials & circularity. 

 

The event also featured a tabletop exhibition, with 27 exhibitors, including Investkonsult Sweden, who also sponsored the conference, as well as A. Celli, Alkan International FZE, Anpap, Cellulose Converting Solutions (CCS), Fabric Textile For Printing and Hygiene Products, Fibertex Personal Care, GDM, Global Nonwovens, H.B. Fuller, HERRMANN ULTRASCHALLTECHNIK GmbH & Co. KG, IMA, IMS Technologies, INDEXTM26/Palexpo, ISRA VISION, Kansan Machinery, KTEX Nonwovens, Kuraray Europe, Neos, PFNonwovens, Poligof, SABIC, Saudi German Co. For Nonwoven Products, Trützschler, United Saudi Company, VMI Group, and Zuiko Corporation.

 

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, shared an overview of trade in the region, as well as local production and consumption, in his opening presentation entitled the MENA Nonwovens Industry Assessed from a Global Perspective. Key takeaways noted that MENA nonwovens production (in tonnage) has multiplied by 2.5 times since 2012, while it increased four-fold in square metres, with the main developments in spunmelt.

 

Despite this increase, the region relies even more than 10 years ago on imports from the rest of the world. Regional events like the MENA Nonwovens Conference, can play a crucial role in providing a spotlight on the state of the industry in different regions around the world, while also fostering exchange and innovation among colleagues from various regions.