Tork recognized for driving inclusive hygiene at the Amsterdam Innovation Awards at Interclean 2026
April 14th, 2026
Tork, an Essity brand, is exhibiting at Interclean Amsterdam 2026, the world’s leading trade show for cleaning and hygiene professionals. The Tork Inclusive Hygiene in Public Washrooms Initiative received the Amsterdam Innovation Award in the “Sustainability & Environment” category.
The win for Tork Inclusive Hygiene in Public Washrooms recognizes the Tork brand for championing the importance of identifying and addressing barriers in the washroom environment to make access to hygiene comfortable for as many people as possible. By offering resources and best practices to create a washroom environment that considers the full range of individual abilities and circumstances, Tork is raising awareness and advocating for organizations to deliver better washroom experiences to drive business outcomes.
“We are incredibly proud that the Inclusive Hygiene in Public Washrooms Initiative has been recognized by the Amsterdam Innovation Awards at Interclean 2026. This achievement highlights our ongoing commitment to giving people comfortable access to sustainable hygiene solutions through cleaner, more welcoming spaces,” says Anna Königson Koopmans, Marketing Director, Segments for Essity’s professional hygiene business.
The Jury recognized that “Essity’s “Tork Hygiene for All” initiative stood out for going beyond product innovation to address inclusivity in public washrooms. With dispensers certified under Design for All standards, alongside accessible packaging and skin-friendly formulations, the initiative aims to improve the experience for both users and cleaning professionals. The jury highlighted its potential to raise awareness and set new benchmarks for inclusivity across the sector.”
Washrooms continue to be a particular challenge for facilities. Surveying 11,500 people across 11 countries, Tork research revealed that there are high expectations for hygiene and cleanliness in the washrooms (74% expect moderate or high levels of hygiene), yet only 20% of washrooms deliver on those expectations1. Simultaneously, 52% of people take action after a poor washroom experience, from submitting a complaint, to limiting how much they eat or drink, to not returning to the facility1. These findings make it clear: businesses risk losing repeat customers, suffering from negative online reviews, and seeing customers limit their spend. For facility managers, this presents an opportunity to reevaluate the role of washrooms – not just as operational necessities, but as strategic assets that can elevate the user experience and drive business results.
About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they're always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.
About Essity
Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.
Foot Notes:
1 Tork Insight Survey 2025, conducted in US, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands and Poland among 11,500 people from the general public and 1,000 cleaning staff.