The World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference 2026 brought together leaders from the global wipes and nonwovens industry for four days of innovation, market insights, and business networking from June 29 to July 2, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Nashville in Tennessee.
Organised by INDA, the event featured expert-led presentations, panel discussions, exhibits, training sessions, and the presentation of the 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award®, reinforcing WOW’s role as one of the wipes sector’s most important annual gatherings.
Rockline Industries Wins 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of the 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award® to Rockline Industries for its First Defense™ Fentanyl Detection Wipe.Developed in collaboration with Visual Detection Systems, the single-use wipe is designed as a presumptive test that can rapidly detect trace fentanyl through a visible color change. The wipe uses specialised indicators bound to viscose fibers with a starch-based system to improve usability and reliability in field conditions.The product has been tested with pharmaceutical-grade and street-grade fentanyl as well as other opioids, and is intended for use by law enforcement agencies, first responders, military personnel, airports, schools, and correctional facilities.
Doug Cole, Vice President – Global Product Development at Rockline Industries, said the award reflects the company’s commitment to developing innovative solutions that help protect first responders and other professionals in real-world environments.Other finalists recognised for innovation and market potential included The Clorox Company for Clorox™ Refreshables™ and Lenzing Fibers, Inc. for Lenzing™ DualWipe.
INDA Honors Tom Daugherty and Carey Hobbs
INDA also presented its 2026 Lifetime Technical Achievement Awards to Tom Daugherty and Carey Hobbs in recognition of their long-standing contributions to nonwoven technologies, business innovation, and industry development.Tom Daugherty, Associate Director at Procter & Gamble and former Deputy/Operations Director at The Nonwovens Institute, was recognised for nearly 45 years of contributions to product innovation and industry collaboration.
Carey Hobbs, former President of Hobbs Bonded Fibers, was honoured for his career-long impact on automotive, apparel, defence, and quilting applications.
Industry Leaders Highlight Business and Networking Value
The 2026 WOW Conference received strong feedback from participants across the wipes and nonwovens value chain, who highlighted the quality of presentations, networking opportunities, and commercial engagement.Executives from companies including Saudi German Co. for Nonwoven Products, Soane Materials, Precision Concepts / Comar, and IMA Tissue & Nonwoven praised the event for bringing together customers, suppliers, and industry leaders in a professional and commercially meaningful environment.Participants noted that WOW provided a valuable platform to discuss business trends, explore innovation, build partnerships, and identify new opportunities in the North American wipes market.
Key Topics Covered at WOW 2026
The conference programme featured discussions and presentations across a wide range of topics relevant to wipes manufacturers, material suppliers, and product developers, including:
- Consumer trends and market growth opportunities
- Wipes product innovation and development
- Standards, regulations, labeling, and policy issues
- Sustainable substrates and flushable materials
- Manufacturing and converting technologies
- Packaging sustainability and extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements
- Formulation, preservation, and product performance advancements
The event also opened with the Wipes Development Course on June 29–30, led by Heidi Beatty, CEO of Crown Abbey. The 12-session course provided an in-depth overview of wipes product development, from concept and material selection to formulation design and packaging.
Next World of Wipes Conference Set for 2027
INDA has announced that the next edition of the World of Wipes® Conference will take place from June 7–10, 2027, in Indianapolis, Indiana.Through WOW, INDA continues to provide a key global platform for business development, technical exchange, product innovation, and collaboration across the wipes and nonwovens industry.