Time

10 AM – 4 PM

Date

17 - 18 November 2026

Venue

JW Marriott Marina, Dubai 

Register to attend

GIFEX Conference 2026

2

Where Ingredients, Innovation & Formulation Come Together

The GIFEX Conference brings together industry leaders, formulators, R&D professionals and ingredient experts to explore the trends and technologies shaping the future of Home Care, Personal Care, Cosmetics and Fragrances.

Day 1 – Home Care & Personal Care
Focuses on sustainable and biotech ingredients, vegan formulations, clean beauty, waterless and concentrated formats, circularity, AI in R&D, packaging innovation and evolving regulatory requirements.

Day 2 – Cosmetics & Fragrances
Explores GCC cosmetics manufacturing, skin science, microbiome and barrier care, clean beauty, colours and pigments, resilient ingredient supply chains, green chemistry and the role of AI and biotechnology in the future of fragrance.

Key Themes
Sustainability | Innovation | Formulation Science | Consumer Trends | Regulation | AI & Biotechnology | Ingredient Innovation | Future of Fragrance

Conference

Benefits of Attending the Gifex Conference 2026

insights into the latest market trends, consumer shifts, and growth opportunities across key product categories.

ingredient innovations, formulation strategies, and emerging product development trends.

how sustainability, ingredient transparency, and responsible sourcing are influencing the industry.

on evolving regulations, compliance requirements, and quality standards.

new technologies, ingredients, and solutions supporting product innovation.

opportunities across home care, personal care, cosmetics, and fragrance markets.

with industry experts, formulators, manufacturers, suppliers, and brand leaders.

10:30 - 10:35

Welcome address

James Snodgrass

Editor, Urethanes Technology International

10:35 - 11:05

Keynote address:

Accelerating Transition to Sustainable Polyurethane

Ajay Katyal

Business Development Leader-Sustainability & Decarbonization, Honeywell

11:05 – 11:30

Presentation

Polyurethane solutions for flexible foam

Yang Wei

Manager, PU Global Technical Service Development., Furniture/Footwear/Automotive, Wanhua Beijing

11:30 – 12:10

Panel discussion

Is there a roadmap for sustainable polyurethane production in the Middle East?

Miro Donabedian

General Manager, Interplast

James Elliott

Vice President, Chemicals, Argus Media

Dr. Marcel Hartmann

Senior Global Project Leader & Technical Key Account Manager, Momentive Performance Materials

12:10 – 12:30

Refreshment Break

12:30 – 12:55

Presentation

Integration of recycled PET/ PA / PU polyesther polyols into PIR and PUR Rigid Foam formulations

Miro Donabedian

General Manager, Interplast

12:55 – 13:20

Presentation

Complexity and volatility: unpicking the market and price drivers for isocyanates and polyols

James Elliott

Vice President, Chemicals, Argus Media

13:20 – 14:20

Lunch break

14:20 - 14:45

Presentation

Formulating with Solstice® LBA having improved shelf-life of blended polyol

Amanullah AJ

Technical Manager – FOAM, Middle East, Turkey and Africa Honeywell

14:45 – 15:10

Presentation

New additives to optimize the compression set performance of flexible polyurethane foam

Ugur Can Iyidir

Senior Technical Service and Laboratory Manager, Evonik

15:10 – 15:40

Refreshment Break

15:40 – 16:05

Presentation

Silicone surfactants to enhance the performance of polyisocyanurate rigid foams

Robin Heedfeld

Product Development Scientist, Momentive Performance Materials

16:05 – 16:30

Presentation

Navigating the Post-HCFC Era: Challenges and Innovations in Polyurethane Foam Production

Mohamed Merzook

Technical Manager, Pearl Polyurethane

16:30 – 16:55

Presentation

Novelty GeoCell additives for high quality mattress in the box

Prathish H

Lead Application Development Engineer- IMEA, Momentive Performance Materials

17:00

End Of Day 1

10:30 – 10:35

Welcome back from chairman

10:35 – 11:00

Keynote address:

A future look to sustainable polyurethane production in the Middle East.

Gabriel Kiss

Global Technology Leader – PU, Momentive Performance Materials

11:00 – 11:25

Presentation

Processing expandable graphite as a flame retardant in high-pressure

Jacopo Battistello

Sales Area Manager, Cannon Afros

11:25 – 12:00

Refreshment Break

12:00 – 12:25

Presentation

New technology for a fluorinated free low-density closed-cell spray polyurethane foam with excellent dimensional stability

Suhas Chandrakant Shetkar

Senior Specialist - Technical Development PU Systems Insulation Solutions – Performance Materials Europe, BASF

12:25 – 12:50

Presentation

Covestro sustainable raw materials enabling circularity for different industries

Dineshkumar Patel

Regional Technical Manager, Covestro

12:50 – 14:30

Lunch

14.30 – 14:55

Presentation

Innovation in nano-technology adhesive

Mohammad Ijaz

Managing Director, Enercon Building Materials

14:55 - 15:20

Presentation

Sustainability in polyurethane distribution: A greener supply chain

Taha Saeed

Sales Manager, Polyurethane, TajChem

15:20 - 15:45

Refreshment Break

15:45 - 16:10

Presentation

From waste stream to resource chain: industrial symbiosis for sustainable polyurethane production

Cahit Can Canakcı

R&D Manager, Kimpur

16:10 - 16:35

Presentation

Importance of flammability in polyurethane building materials

Enes Kurtay

Export Sales Manager, Pluskim Polyurethanes

16:40

End Of Day 2

10:30 – 10:35

Welcome back from chairman

10:35 – 11:00

Presentation

New Surfactant Technology, Better Foam.

Mr. Wei Shiqiang

R&D iDirector, JIangsu SD Technology Co., Ltd.

11:00 – 11:25

Presentation

Sustainable polyurethanes – fashion to mission

Luca Micheletti

Head of Technical Services, Pearl Polyurethanes

11:25 – 12:00

Refreshment Break

12:00 – 12:40

Panel discussion

Construction in the ME and the importance of insulation in hot countries. How are massive construction projects in the region driving demand for rigid foam?

Miro Donabedian

General Manager, Interplast

Amanullah AJ

Technical Manager – FOAM, Middle East, Turkey and Africa Honeywell

Taha Saeed

Sales Manager, Polyurethane, TajChem

12:40 – 13:05

Presentation

Analytical characterization of polyurethanes

Fatemeh Homayouni

R&D Manager, SepehrDonya, (SITCO Co.)

16:40

Conference close

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Quick Links

Zainab Ayyajiwala

Senior Conference Producer

Contact

Adnaan Petiwala

Project Head

SAMIYA ANDRABI

Editor

Organisers

Silver Sponsor

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