Henkel Achieves 89% Recyclability in Packaging

Henkel is implementing its sustainability strategies with strong commitment to leave a livable world for the future and has achieved success beyond its targets in this area. In 2010, the company established a long-term sustainability strategy supported by concrete targets for 2030, and in 2020 it reached performance levels above the targets it had set for that year. By 2020, the company managed to reduce its environmental footprint by 39%, and made 89% of its packaging recyclable. Henkel continuously reviews and expands its sustainability strategies and targets. Creating more value with fewer resources and reducing its global footprint while contributing to the wellbeing of the growing world population form the foundation of the company's sustainability strategy. The strategy created in 2010 for this purpose shows that 2020 results represent halfway along the path to 2030. Over the past decade, Henkel has demonstrated significant progress across all dimensions of its sustainability strategy: On a general scale, the company managed to reduce its environmental footprint by 39% across three different dimensions—carbon dioxide emissions, waste and water. This means progress has been achieved at a significant level, beyond the realization of the 30% reduction target set for 2020. In addition, Henkel achieved its 2020 safety target by reducing the global accident frequency rate by 50%.

"We Aim to Strengthen Our Leading Position in Sustainability."

In a statement on this matter, Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel said, "For Henkel, sustainability is not only part of our long-standing tradition, but also an important element of our strategic agenda for 'Purposeful Growth'. In 2010, we established our long-term sustainability strategy and targets extending to 2030. We are proud of the progress we have made since then. In addition to achieving most of our targets, we have succeeded in going even further on some of them. Through sustainable innovations we have implemented in our consumer and industrial business units, we aim to strengthen our leading position in sustainability and create more value from the growth of the markets in which we operate."

30 Years in Sustainability Reporting

Henkel published its first sustainability report in 1992. This makes Henkel one of the few companies among those in the sectors in which it operates and within the German DAX stock exchange index that can look back with pride on 30 years of consistent sustainability reporting history. The first report, titled "Environmental Report," included, among other topics, Henkel's principles on environmental protection.  

Net Targets Towards Climate Protection

Henkel continues its long-term vision of becoming a climate-positive company with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and limiting global warming. The company targets reducing its carbon footprint from production by 65% by 2025. By 2030, Henkel aims to continuously increase energy efficiency and to source its electricity exclusively from renewable sources. In addition to these, Henkel aims to help customers, consumers and suppliers reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by further expanding the global reach and scope of its brands and technologies. Having provided these stakeholders with emissions reductions exceeding 55 million tonnes over the 5-year period extending to 2020, Henkel aims to increase this figure to 100 million tonnes by 2025.  

Henkel Packaging Became 89% Recyclable

Henkel also actively promotes the development of a circular economy and continues its work towards its ambitious packaging targets. The target set for 2025 is that Henkel packaging be 100% recyclable or reusable*. By the end of 2020, the company managed to achieve this target at approximately 89%. Many brands within Henkel currently use packaging made from recycled materials. The company aims to increase the proportion of recycled plastic used in consumer products to above 30% worldwide by 2025. By the end of 2020, this rate was approximately 15%. * Except for adhesive products that may affect the recyclability of contents or residues or contaminate recycling streams