The human population is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050 and the demand for consumer goods will increase as a result. This poses a challenge, as natural resources are finite: the planet has only so many metals, minerals, fuels, water, land, timber, fertile soil, and clean air. Companies must conduct business in more efficient and resource-sparing manner.
This idea is at the heart of Henkel’s sustainability strategy: achieving more with less. The company works consistently to reduce energy and water use and waste generation while upholding its promises of quality and safety at its 169 production sites worldwide. The 2014 Sustainability Report highlighted the contribution of a few Henkel production sites around the globe toward more resource-efficient production.
Click through the photo gallery to learn more about contributions to resource efficiency made by a selection of Henkel production sites around the world.
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Lomazzo, Italy: The laundry detergent production site began reusing water from its wastewater treatment plant to dissolve additives and to wash centrifuges. This has made it possible to reduce water use by more than 6,000 cubic meters per year.
Seabrook, New Hampshire, USA: Employees in Seabrook, New Hampshire, USA, developed a comprehensive plan to eliminate waste, beginning with a Value Stream Mapping workshop in 2014. Johnny Tong (right), Vice President Operations & Supply Chain Adhesive Technologies in North America, explains the lean production philosophy to Harvard Professor Dr. Ananth Raman.
Maribor, Slovenia: In 2014, the cosmetics production site in Maribor, Slovenia, installed a new system that reuses process water for cleaning purposes. By collecting the process water in tanks and warming it through heat-recovery measures, up to 7,000 cubic meters of fresh water and 200,000 kilowatt hours of energy are saved per year. Pictured: Technician Romana Florjančič and Project Manager Srečko Habjanič.
Bogotá, Colombia: By optimizing the handling of coloration materials between the product mixing and packaging steps, the cosmetic plant reduced waste by nearly 2,000 kilograms per year. Pictured: production technicians Mario Gil (left) and William Moreno.
Ankara, Turkey: By installing a new heat recovery system, the laundry detergent production site was able to optimize its spray-drying process and cut its annual energy use by five percent in 2014.
Lomazzo, Italy: The laundry detergent production site began reusing water from its wastewater treatment plant to dissolve additives and to wash centrifuges. This has made it possible to reduce water use by more than 6,000 cubic meters per year.
Seabrook, New Hampshire, USA: Employees in Seabrook, New Hampshire, USA, developed a comprehensive plan to eliminate waste, beginning with a Value Stream Mapping workshop in 2014. Johnny Tong (right), Vice President Operations & Supply Chain Adhesive Technologies in North America, explains the lean production philosophy to Harvard Professor Dr. Ananth Raman.
Maribor, Slovenia: In 2014, the cosmetics production site in Maribor, Slovenia, installed a new system that reuses process water for cleaning purposes. By collecting the process water in tanks and warming it through heat-recovery measures, up to 7,000 cubic meters of fresh water and 200,000 kilowatt hours of energy are saved per year. Pictured: Technician Romana Florjančič and Project Manager Srečko Habjanič.
Bogotá, Colombia: By optimizing the handling of coloration materials between the product mixing and packaging steps, the cosmetic plant reduced waste by nearly 2,000 kilograms per year. Pictured: production technicians Mario Gil (left) and William Moreno.
Ankara, Turkey: By installing a new heat recovery system, the laundry detergent production site was able to optimize its spray-drying process and cut its annual energy use by five percent in 2014.
