13. The EMEA Market pt. 2 with Seif Shaarawy and Pietro Landone

Attached to Hygiene

When looking at brand and product growth, one factor that quickly drives the curve is trends. However, these trends differ in every market and region. Bostik, being a key player in the disposable hygiene sector, checks on how these trends look on the ground and how they affect planning and production. In Part 2 of this episode of “Attached to Hygiene,” host Jack Hughes and Bostik’s Global NW Operations Director, Seif Shaarawy, together with Bostik’s Europe Sales Director, Pietro Landone, continue the discussion on growth and market response with a focus on how commoditisation, trends, and basic consumer needs come into play as market driving forces.

How is ‘sustainability’ affecting the EMEA Market?

Both Seif and Pietro agree that sustainability is a significant influence on the markets within the EMEA regions. For the millennial generation, sustainability is an essential focus for literally everything. Because of this, it can only be assumed that eventually, more heed will be given to thise factor. In the European markets, for example, producers exert extensive efforts to make diapers less ‘unsustainable.’ More investments are also going into the R&D and innovation of products like diapers to achieve more eco-friendliness in production and design. Furthermore, because recycling and waste segregation are recently seen more seriously in the Middle East and African regions, global producers make big moves to ensure a positive impact through their corporate social responsibilities. As a result of the trend, even recycling businesses are witnessing rapid growth and are becoming more and more popular in startups.

Outline of the Episode

• [02:07] The impact – Commoditisation.
• [03:18] ---all these things oblige companies to look into alternatives.
• [07:25] A challenge and a way for us to differentiate ourselves.
• [09:45] The challenge is the same in the Middle East and Africa.
• [12:30] Pietro Landone on the trends around convenience in the EU market.
• [14:40] How do the Middle East and Africa see the need for convenience?
• [17:32] People find more confidence in products that aren’t odoured, scented, or fragrant.
• [20:14] The Middle East and Africa will slowly become more and more environmentally friendly.
• [22:04] Are diapers environmentally friendly?
• [24:18] Sustainability is affecting even the economy in the MEA regions.

Resources

You can find Seif Shaarawy and Pietro Landone on LinkedIn, or you can leave them a message through our email at [e-mail].

Get Connected with Attached to Hygiene

You can find us at Disposable Hygiene Adhesives on LinkedIn or by visiting the Attached to Hygiene Podcast on our official website.

Email us with questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes at [e-mail].

You can find Attached to Hygiene wherever you get your podcast!

Host: Jack Hughes

Music by Jonathan Boyle

Produced and edited by: Jack Hughes with help from Paul Andrews, Michele Tonkovitz, Emory Churness, and Nikki Ackerman from GreenOnion Creative.