Product Innovations

The Henkel focal areas have been systematically anchored into our innovation process since 2008.  This means, our innovation process employs a variety of tools to systematically analyze, measure and evaluate our products. For the product categories, sustainability topics and metrics are considered accordingly in the innovation process. Our researchers have to identify the points in the value chain and the strategic areas in which the product offers concrete advantages. Each product receives a separate sustainability profile based on this data. To make it easier to optimize our products during the development phase, we integrate the environmental profiles of potential ingredients and packaging materials into the research and development systems of our product and packaging development teams. This allows the footprint of a new formulation to be calculated as early as the development phase.

With the help of life cycle analyses and the knowledge they have acquired during many years of work on sustainability, our experts analyze the complete life cycle of our products. Only by considering the entire life cycle we can ensure that the action taken will improve the overall sustainability profile of our products. Already in the early product development phase we can assess what environmental impacts occur, to what extent, and in which phase of a product’s life cycle. Building on these results, improvement measures can be applied where they are most needed and can be most efficiently implemented. 

In preparing life cycle analyses, we use our own primary data as well as specific data from our suppliers, customers and other partners along the supply chain. We make use of reliable and specific databases for secondary data, such as certain emission factors or average values. One example is Carbon Minds, a chemical-specific database for ingredients. To further develop metrics and indicators, we collaborate with external partners on topics such as product carbon footprints and water footprints. In addition, we participate in technical initiatives, such as Together for Sustainability ‏(TfS), Catena-X, the Eco Beauty Score Consortium and the Renewable Carbon Initiative. The aim is to standardize and harmonize the methodology for calculating product lifecycle appraisals, improve data quality, integrate supplier-specific data and primary data, and drive digital data exchange. An important milestone in the history of the TfS initiative is the introduction of the Product Carbon Footprint ‏(PCF) data model in 2024. The standardized platform enables suppliers and companies to generate PCF data from their entire supply chain, exchange it securely, thus creating consistency and comparability in the chemical industry. 

We are also working on measuring the sustainable transformation of our product portfolio. This assessment process includes identifying and categorizing portfolio products that make a relevant contribution to sustainability. The assessment criteria cover the entire value chain and take into account the impact across all areas. In assessing the sustainability of our product portfolio, we consider factors such as climate impact, circular economy and safety to further accelerate our contribution to sustainability and continuously transform our portfolio. For example, our innovations include products and solutions that lead to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the application phase, to the use of bio-based and reusable materials, and to enhance the safety in new products. 
 

Our Adhesive Technologies business unit is developing solutions that enable customers across various industries to make a greater contribution to sustainability through a combination of technical materials expertise and science-based innovations. With these customized solutions, we want to help reduce emissions, increase energy and material efficiency, recycle valuable resources and improve safety. With our products and solutions, we help our customers reduce GHG emissions by enabling them to use less energy in their production processes when applying our products. We also ensure that valuable resources are kept in the economic cycle. For example, our debonding solutions make it possible to repair, reuse and recycle products and product parts, and to separate materials that are not suitable for collective recycling. We also attach great importance to continuously optimizing the safety and environmental compatibility of our products.  

Our Consumer Brands business unit focuses on creating added value for customers and consumers with high-performing products. Key areas of emphasis include climate, circular economy and transparent product information, including safety information. Our vision is to deliver our customers and consumers a sustainable choice from our range of innovative, high-performing laundry and home care, and hair and body care products by integrating sustainability into our portfolio. This also includes our commitment to promoting a circular economy by advancing the use of more sustainable packaging solutions across our brands by increasing the share of recycled plastics and incorporating more renewable ingredients based on renewables into our products.