Henkel showcases smart digital equipment solutions and advanced material technologies at METPACK 2026

Digital solutions: equipment 4.0 for maximum performance and transparency

The new Bonderite E-CO equipment portfolio will be a highlight of Henkel’s presence at the trade fair. This intelligent process control system for the can manufacturing pre-treatment stage provides real-time data as well as automated reports and enables precise process management and optimization. This enables significant improvements in line stability, even at peak capacity.

With the latest generation of controllers, modular retrofit options, and extended remote services, Henkel supports its customers in making production processes more transparent, robust, and efficient. Complemented by a new CanLine audit application, Henkel thrives on supporting can makers with continuous improvement, accelerated failure detection, and preventive action.

Can sealants: new formulations benefit users, consumers, and the planet

With Darex WBC 4020, Henkel is introducing the next generation of water-based sealants for beer and beverage cans. This first-of-its-kind can sealant has excellent application properties and is supplied cross-regionally. It has a single, global formulation and is manufactured regionally based on the same latex backbone and equivalent, locally sourced raw materials to ensure consistent performance and reduce supply chain risk.

Furthermore, Henkel is introducing Darex WBC 833, a cost‑efficient, water‑based food can sealant that boosts productivity while maintaining excellent application properties. Its high total solids deliver strong lining performance with reliable resistance to aqueous, acidic, and oily/fatty environments. The result is a high‑performance, water‑based solution that combines improved yield with consistent lining quality for today’s demanding food can applications.

Henkel is committed to providing safe and future-ready can sealants. This is also exemplified in its introduction of a new generation of Darex COV sealants which are free from phthalate-based plasticizers and reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint. Darex WBC 9000‑63‑2 also illustrates this approach: The food can sealant contains no intentionally added allergens, which removes allergen‑labeling concerns for brand owners while maintaining the proven specification and output quality of its predecessor.

Surface treatment: superior lubricity, less foam, reduced water and energy consumption

In the field of surface treatment, Henkel is demonstrating how energy, water, and chemical consumption in can production can be significantly reduced without compromising on quality and process stability. This can be seen in Bonderite L-FM 831, a biostable, high-performance, water-based lubricant and steel coolant specifically engineered for reduced tool usage and wicking as well as for simplified cleaning or rinse-only applications, which enables water and energy reduction.

Further proof is additionally offered by the low‑temperature cleaner in the Bonderite C‑IC 72000 series, which is now available globally with APAC as the latest localized region. Functioning at temperatures as low as 43 °C instead of the usual 60 to 70 °C, it allows can makers to significantly reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Given that excessive frothing is a key driver of unstable rinsing, higher water usage, and unplanned production stops, the series’ distinct, low‑foam profile provides another major advantage: By drastically limiting foam formation, the Bonderite C‑IC 72000 and C‑IC 62600 series support continuous washer operation, stabilize rinsing processes, and reduce both water consumption and the maintenance effort typically required to manage the above side effect of the can‑washing process.

At stand 1C38 in hall 1, Henkel will demonstrate how efficient production processes, high‑quality packaging, and sustainability go hand in hand. Additionally, Henkel experts Valentina DeCurtis and Glenn Ladrillo will be hosting a “Talk in a Can” session on May 5 at 3:00 p.m., looking back on 150 years of Henkel and the company’s long-standing experience in can making.