The products we eat, drink, and use every day can come in all types of packages. And cans are among the most used containers. Beverages, food, hair care products, household cleaners, and maintenance materials are often supplied in cans. Ensuring the ends of cans are compatible with the contents and leak-proof is what the professionals at Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ Chicago, Illinois site are committed to daily. Learn more in this segment of #AViewFrom: Chicago, IL.
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#AViewFrom Henkel North America: Chicago, IL
Did you know that Henkel North America employs approximately 8,000 employees in more than 65 sites across the U.S. and Canada? Collectively, these sites support two business units: Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands.
Our #AViewFrom series features select locations, sharing information and facts about our sites across Henkel North America.
Within the 110,000 sq. ft. of Henkel’s Chicago site, about 40 employees manufacture DAREX® brand adhesive materials that hermetically seal the ends of cans that house all types of beverages, foods, personal hygiene products, and cleaning solutions. Two production areas – one for solvent-based materials and one for water-based formulations – operate 24 hours a day, five days a week, to produce thousands of tons of sealants each year. While the amount of DAREX material used per can is minimal – a narrow bead is dispensed around the edge of the can end -- it is vital to ensure the container contents do not leak or become compromised. The formulations made here enable the manufacture of more than 300 billion cans annually and are relied on by top global can manufacturers and brand owners.
When you think about the journey of a can, all kinds of vibration, transportation variables, and handling and storage conditions it is subjected to, you can appreciate how strong, impervious, and rugged the can ends have to be. These containers take a lot of abuse and are expected not to fail. Our people work to make sure that’s the case and that our materials consistently deliver. In fact, the can will probably fail before our product does!
Luke Martens, Site Operations Director
Quality is the hallmark of this site. Every drum of material must be produced perfectly – there is no room for error.
One 55-gallon drum of our sealant secures the can ends of almost 3.5 million cans. When that Henkel product leaves our facility, it must be 100% quality, 100% of the time.
Adam Vollmers, Site Quality Manager
Built in 1941, Henkel’s Chicago facility has changed ownership several times since its inception, ultimately becoming part of the Henkel manufacturing footprint with the company’s acquisition of GCP Applied Technologies’ Darex Packaging Technologies, in 2017 after it split off from W.R. Grace. Remarkably, however, the double seam process developed to secure can ends and that revolutionized container production is still essentially the same technique in use today, albeit far more automated.
Ensuring environmental protection and employee safety are also top priorities at Henkel’s Chicago site, with facility improvement investment directed toward initiatives in these areas. A recent project to upgrade the plant’s solvent filtration system has reduced its overall waste footprint by over 50%. This achievement was recognized with an internal award, the Henkel Lion Award, in 2023. Henkel Chicago’s safety record has also received industry accolades, with the team earning a 2024 Award of Commendation from the American Coatings Association for zero accidents or restricted workdays. The facility is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 140001, ISO 45001, and ISO 5001 certified and is a zero production waste to landfill site.
DID YOU KNOW?
Henkel Chicago products go full circle: DAREX® sealants are integrated into cans that Henkel then uses to package various product brands – from LOCTITE® brand adhesives to Got2B® and PRAVANA® brand haircare formulations. Henkel’s materials are in the can in more ways than one!
CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
By comparison, Henkel Chicago’s 40-person staff is relatively small, and this contributes to the tight-knit culture of the site. The team here, some of whom are third-generation employees, are highly invested in their work product and their colleagues. Administrative Lead Elizabeth Molina spearheads many projects and activities that help foster employee connection and camaraderie.
The people at this facility are so committed and passionate; it’s inspiring. I get great satisfaction from doing whatever I can to help our teams be as successful, connected, and productive as possible. This could include anything from organizing special events to leading major site initiatives like the digital signage board project I’m currently overseeing. Whatever it takes to support our people, I’m all in!
Elizabeth Molina, Site Administrator
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