Henkel Launches Global Solidarity Program

Henkel has announced a comprehensive global solidarity program to support employees, customers and communities facing the global COVID-19 pandemic. The program includes:

Donations to World Health Organization/United Nations Foundation fund and other organizations

To help combat the pandemic, EUR 2 million will be donated to various funds and organizations. The Fritz Henkel Foundation will contribute EUR 1 million directly to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) Foundation. This donation will support the provision of protective equipment to frontline healthcare workers, equipping diagnostic laboratories, improving data collection and analysis, establishing and maintaining intensive care units, as well as accelerating research and development processes for potential vaccines and treatments. The Fritz Henkel Foundation will also support the voluntary efforts of committed employees fighting the crisis alongside its donations totaling EUR 1 million to various organizations and partners worldwide.

Donation of personal and household hygiene products

Henkel will also donate 5 million units of personal and household hygiene products globally. The donated products will include hand sanitizers, soaps and protective equipment, as well as detergents, disinfectants and other household cleaning products.

Redirecting production facilities to disinfectant manufacturing:

Additionally, Henkel plans to produce disinfectants at designated production facilities. These products are intended to assist public institutions and professional groups in their efforts to combat coronavirus. Improved payment terms for selected business partners: Henkel will also consider improved payment terms to support small and medium-sized hairdressing salons amid the current challenging conditions.

Crisis management and safety measures for employees

Henkel has addressed the current situation proactively through crisis management teams operating at national, regional and global levels. Crisis management has clear priorities: taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of employees, customers and business partners, and continuing operations under the current difficult circumstances. Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel stated, "At Henkel, we are determined to do everything we can in the face of this unprecedented challenge. We aim to contribute in line with our values and through a comprehensive global solidarity program. We are committed to tackling the pandemic together: protecting our employees and their jobs, continuing service to our customers, and supporting the communities in which we operate. We are pursuing this goal with the highest level of effort." Carsten Knobel continued, "At the same time, I would like to thank our global and local crisis teams that have been active since the coronavirus began spreading in China. We have taken additional measures to reduce infection risk for employees continuing their duties in production areas to maintain our operations. For example, we have implemented strict protocols in case of suspected infections, enhanced hygiene practices, shift separation, and we are reviewing all possibilities for working from home. In addition, we can mention reducing the number of workers in production areas."