Sustainable Products
People in more than 125 countries trust in Henkel brands and technologies every day. The first-class quality of our products means more than convenience and high product performance. It includes all-encompassing product safety and ecological compatibility. Customers and consumers alike can depend upon the fact that Henkel products and technologies have been tested thoroughly to ensure that, when used as intended, they are safe for health and the environment. Potential risks that may be associated with new products are systematically assessed as early as the research and development phases.
Consumers and customers expect excellent performance and convenience, as well as comprehensive product safety and environmental compatibility, from our brands and technologies. Henkel’s brands and technologies make important contributions to health and hygiene, to extending the service life of durable goods, and to more efficient use of resources.
High-performance detergents clean fabrics gently and thoroughly, even at low washing temperatures. Adhesives and sealants protect buildings against dampness, heat and cold. Innovative system solutions offer industrial customers environmental protection benefits and significant savings in the costs of energy, water and waste. Surface treatments protect products against corrosion and prolong their service life.
Globally standardized approval processes ensure that our products are environmentally compatible. Our detergents, household cleaners, cosmetics and toiletries, which end up in wastewater after use, are designed so that they will not have an excessive impact on surface waters. Wastewater generated during the use of industrial chemical products sometimes has to be treated to remove pollutants before it is discharged into the sewage system. Product innovations and systematic reviews of our product portfolio help to reduce the environmental burdens associated with the product use phase even further and to achieve still greater improvements in health protection.
Objectives
| Objectives | Status |
| European rollout of the TheoPrax Internet portal, to provide background information about laundering, ishwashing and cleaning to professionals and interested members of the public | A project plan was drawn up. The business sectors areworking on coordinating and collecting the content. |
| Continuous innovation focusing on greater convenience, better performance, and lower dosages of detergents and household cleaners |
See Adhesive Technologies |
| Replacement of parquet flooring adhesives with a high solvent content by low-emission alternatives, thereby contributing to environmental and health protection | Two parquet flooring adhesives on an innovative silane basis – Thomsit P 685 and Thomsit P 690 – have replaced almost 30 percent of the solvent-based parquet adhesives in Germany. Thomsit P 690 was launched in other European countries and is making good progress. |
| Expansion of the market for very lightweight and economical tile adhesives, and technology transfer to other product categories, thereby contributing to resource efficiency | Launch of a tile adhesive which offers 30 percent more coverage and 90 percent less dust relative to conventional products; see Adhesive Technologies |
| Elimination of lead-containing soldering pastes in the electronics industry, thereby contributing to environmental protection | Sales of lead-free soldering pastes increased from 5 percent in 2004 to more than 61 percent in the final quarter of 2006. |
| Elimination of nickel from rinse water in car body pretreatment in the automotive industry, thereby helping to protect water resources | IonGard technology has been developed to eliminate further pollutants and to allow operation with closed water circuits. |
| Development of ultrapure, long-life adhesives and sealants for fuel cells, thereby contributing to the development of clean energy sources | The first products are being sold for fuel cells in cars and stationary applications. Development of the next product generation with an even longer service life. |
| Development of innovative lightweight composite materials for the aircraft industry to cut | Potential customers are continuing to test the technologies developed by Henkel. |
| Development of tailor-made system solutions for technologies that make use of renewable resources, thereby contributing to the development of clean energy sources | Sealants for wind turbines and cleaners for rotor blade molds have been successfully established in the market. |
| New objective: Development of a nanoceramic coating process as an alternative to iron phosphating in the automotive industry by the end of 2008 | Intensive development in collaboration with partners. |
