Labeling adhesives have to satisfy multiple requirements. A new generation of casein-free adhesives now offers extended properties and a performance profile that ensures trouble-free production processes for beverage manufacturers while extending their options. As the leading supplier of adhesive technologies, Henkel is dedicated to application-driven research and development of innovative solutions that respond to the growing needs of the market and the environment.

Henkel has presented the “Henkel Sustainability Award” for the first time on January 30, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. The award will annually recognize business partners who notably contributed to the development of more sustainable products from Henkel. The “Henkel Sustainability Award 2011” has been conferred to BASF.

At the 2012 American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Annual Meeting and Industry Convention, January 30 through February 4 in Orlando, Florida, Henkel recognized four outstanding suppliers for their excellent cooperation. The “Henkel Sustainability Award”, which is presented for the first time, was conferred to  BASF. The “Best Supply Performance Award” went to Evonik Industries. Winners of the “Best Innovation Contributor Award” were The Dow Chemical Company and Dow Corning.

From 2012 onwards, Henkel is purchasing certificates for sustainable palm kernel oil for its entire range of laundry and home care products. This ensures that for the quantity of palm kernel oil used in the  production of the surfactants for Henkel’s detergents and cleaning products a corresponding quantity of sustainable palm kernel oil will be produced and enter the supply chain. As early as in 2009, Henkel committed to cover its overall product portfolio by certificates and to complete this step by 2015. To underline the clear commitment to a sustainable palm oil production, Henkel is now accelerating the process for laundry and home care, its largest product category containing surfactants.

In a significant formulation breakthrough, Henkel Electronic Materials announces that it has developed a new electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) compatible with lower-cost, tin-terminated components to enable more cost-effective assembly processes.  The new material, Ablestik ICP-3535M1 is a one-component, pre-mixed ECA that provides low and stable contact resistance when used with 100% tin-terminated components.

Henkel Iberica sponsors Dakar Rally winner Marc Coma and his team at the 2012 Dakar Rally in hopes of further promoting its Loctite adhesives and sealants. Coma currently ranks second in this year’s competition.

Henkel-sponsored freestyle snowmobiler Levi LaVallee just shattered his standing world record for distance jumping on a snowmobile by soaring 412 feet, 6 inches over San Diego harbor. LaValle, who relies upon Loctite brand adhesives and sealants to keep his sled in top form, blasted toward the takeoff ramp at 100 mph, launched through the air across the gap between the North and South parks of Embarcadero Marina Park, and touched down forcefully but safely on the exit ramp.

Fossil fuels are finite, but the sun’s energy is inexhaustible – all of our planet’s energy resources in the form of oil, coal and natural gas add up to just 20 days of sunlight. Energy from the sun is not only a dependable long-term option but clean as well, and that is why it makes sense as an alternative to fossil fuels. This is the credo of Novatec Solar. Headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, this company uses its own patented concentrated solar thermal technology to operate the first commercial power plant of this kind. Since 2006, Novatec and Henkel have been jointly developing a high-tech adhesive solution for this application. 

Modern chemical autodeposition processes have evolved into a powerful alternative to cathodic dip coating (e-coating). Especially in cases where uniform coating of interior surfaces and edges is required, or where powder topcoating is used, they can deliver significantly better corrosion protection results. In Germany, companies like Räckers and BBL have therefore opted for the non-electric Aquence technology from Henkel, a sustainable coating process that additionally does completely without hazardous heavy metals.

Sustainability and glamour – can the two be combined? Very well in fact, as MiraFoil from Henkel shows. At topac GmbH, a company specializing in print products and carton packagings, the environmentally sustainable metallic-effect UV coating delivered convincing results in extensive practical trials.

The Italian Technology and Passion Club conferred Europe’s most prestigious awards for innovations in tissue and towel manufacturing in October. The year 2011 event – held in the Tuscan town of Lucca – was sponsored by Henkel.