Frequently Asked Questions

World of Wipes is INDA's annual conference dedicated exclusively to the wipes and absorbent hygiene industry, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, brands, and innovators from across the global supply chain. The 2026 conference takes place in Nashville, TN, with sessions spanning innovation, sustainability, regulation, and business strategy.

The conference serves professionals across the entire wipes supply chain — raw material suppliers, product developers, brand managers, regulatory affairs teams, and startup founders. Whether you're advancing a flagship brand or launching a new hygiene venture, WOW delivers directly relevant insights and networking across every sector.

The agenda covers sustainability in materials design, PFAS regulation and testing, flushable product innovation, tariff and trade policy impacts, private label growth, and consumer-centered hygiene development. Sessions also explore global market outlooks, menstrual health, pet care innovation, and new materials like hemp, wool, and cellulosic fibers.

PFAS compounds have been detected in nearly half of sampled menstrual products, and state and federal regulations are intensifying. WOW 2026 speakers will address supply chain contamination points, explain the difference between 'tested' and 'certified' PFAS-free claims, and outline strategies for brands to respond proactively to evolving rules.

Biodegradable means a product breaks down under composting or landfill conditions; certified flushable products — tested to standards like FG 502 — are engineered to disperse safely in wastewater systems. The 2026 program features dedicated sessions examining both pathways and the environmental trade-offs between them.

HYGIENIX™ workshops are intensive, expert-led sessions held the first day of the conference week and require a separate registration fee. Topics include absorption system fundamentals, baby diaper market dynamics, menstrual care innovations, and adult incontinence — ideal for technical and product development professionals who want deeper grounding before the main sessions.

World of Wipes offers exhibit floor space, private meeting rooms, and tiered sponsorship packages that provide direct access to the global wipes and hygiene community. Sponsorship prospectuses, floor plan details, and exhibitor information are available at www.worldofwipes.org or by calling (919) 459-3700.

Private label manufacturers tend to be smaller and more agile, enabling faster product launches and easier pivots toward sustainable alternatives as consumer demand evolves. WOW 2026 includes a dedicated panel on private label as a growth engine, covering single-use and reusable hygiene categories across North America, Europe, and global markets.

Hemp fibers, natural wool, and cellulosic materials like VEOCEL™ are emerging as high-performance alternatives to conventional synthetics in absorbent hygiene. WOW 2026 presentations explore how these materials deliver softness, biodegradability, and fluid management performance — and what it takes to bring them to commercial scale.

Third-party 'hotel pirates' often pose as official housing agents to defraud conference attendees with unauthorized bookings. Always use the official hotel link at www.worldofwipes.org/hotel-information and report any suspicious outreach to the FTC. INDA does not work with or endorse third-party booking services for this event.