SUSTAINABILITY

As reflected in our corporate values, we are committed to leadership in sustainability. As leaders, we aim to pioneer new solutions for sustainable development while continuing to shape our business responsibly and increasing our economic success.

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Our global strategy

Our sustainability strategy is inspired by our purpose: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. With our pioneering spirit, our knowledge, our products and technologies, we want to enrich and improve the lives of billions of people every day – and shape a viable future for the next generations.

Sustainability is thus a central element in our vision of the future. We want to actively drive the transformation to a sustainable economy and society, help protect and regenerate nature, contribute to strong communities and strengthen the trust of our stakeholders.

Our 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework sets our long-term ambitions in the three dimensions of Regenerative Planet, Thriving Communities and Trusted Partner and links to our high aspiration of achieving a “Transformational Impact for the Good of Generations”.

How we implement our sustainability strategy in each country or region is tailored to local law and cultural contexts.

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TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT FOR THE GOOD OF GENERATIONS

Regenerative Planet

We are on a journey toward an environmental transformation of our business model. To achieve this ambition, we intend to transform our processes, products and use of raw materials in the direction of a resource-efficient, net-zero future. We are focusing on climate change mitigation measures, a functional circular economy, and the protection of nature and biodiversity.

Two children and a woman in a research coat colour a picture at a table

Thriving Communities

We do everything we can to help people live better lives. Our social responsibility is to strengthen diversity and respect human rights. We offer our employees lifelong learning opportunities, and an attractive and healthy working environment. We advocate for social progress and access to education worldwide, and we provide assistance in emergency situations.

Trusted Partner

We draw on our value-oriented corporate culture and our scientific and technological expertise to strengthen our performance while maintaining our integrity. We deliver safe and best-in-class product and technology solutions to our customers and consumers. We integrate sustainability in our portfolio and in our business processes, and provide transparent reporting on this to our stakeholders.

Looking ahead, we are well prepared: sustainability is deeply anchored in our business strategy and alive in our purpose. With that foundation, our sustainable transformation continues!

Sylvie Nicol, Executive Vice President Human Resources and Chair of Henkel’s Sustainability Council

Our achievements 2024

Our sustainability strategy revolves around implementing our ambitions through concrete measures and projects to achieve practical progress. Below you find selected achievements of 2023:

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-39 %
waste*

*Per ton of products ‏(Base year 2010), without construction and demolition debris

~39,700
smallholder farmers reached since 2013

94 %
traceability of palm ‏(kernel) oil back to the mill

65 %
traceability of palm ‏(kernel) oil back to the plantation

89 %
of packaging designed recyclable or reusable

47 %
energy from renewable sources

~3,200
Henkel suppliers underwent a TfD assessment or audit

-23 %
water withdrawal*

*Per ton of products ‏(Base year 2010)

25 %
share of recyclate in consumer goods packaging

-20 %
reduced scope 1,2 & 3 GHG emissions ‏(vs. 2021)

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Collaboration & partnerships

US Plastics Pact

Henkel is a member of the US Plastics Pact, a cross-sector circular economy initiative. As a founding Activator of the Pact, Henkel has committed to ambitious circular economy goals, as outlined in the Plastics Pact 2025 Roadmap.

Renewable Carbon Initiative – RCI

Henkel is a founding member of the Renewable Carbon Initiative ‏(RCI), which aims to drive the transition from fossil carbon to renewable carbon.

WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders

Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel joined the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders.

U.S. Plastics Pact

In 2020, Henkel joined the U.S. Plastics Pact as a founding member. This collaborative, solutions-driven initiative unifies approaches to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics.

Plastic Waste Coalition of Action

In 2020, Henkel joined 36 members of The Consumer Goods Forum, to commit to curb plastic pollution problem in a CEO-led Plastic Waste Coalition of Action.

Climate Pledge

The Climate Pledge is an international cross-industry commitment co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. As a signatory, Henkel has committed to forward-thinking and an ambitious commitment to climate change.

Apple Supplier Clean Energy Program

As part of the Apple Supplier Clean Energy Program, Henkel joins other suppliers to power their Apple production with 100 percent renewable energy by 2021.

How2Recycle

Since 2018, Henkel has partnered with the How2Recycle label program to encourage consumer recycling of a selection of our consumer and industrial products.

The Sustainability Consortium

Henkel is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, global non-profit organization working to transform the consumer goods industry by partnering with leading companies to define, develop, and deliver more sustainable products.

WBCSD

In 1993, Henkel joined the World Industry Council for the Environment. In 1996, the Council merged with another industry initiative to form the WBCSD, which Henkel is also a founding member.

Responsible Care

In 1995, Henkel committed to the chemical industry’s international Responsible Care initiative.

RSPO

To develop and promote new solutions for sustainable harvesting and use of palm oil throughout the value chain, we have been actively supporting the aim of the “Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil” ‏(RSPO) for years.

Alliance to End Plastic Waste

In 2019 Henkel joined the Alliance to end plastic waste as one of the founding members. The global Alliance has the mission to advance solutions to eliminate plastic waste in the environment, especially in the ocean.

AIM-PROGRESS

“AIM-PROGRESS” is a forum set up by companies in the consumer goods industry. It was established in order to enable and promote responsible procurement practices and sustainable production systems.

Solidaridad

Henkel is partnering with the international development organization Solidaridad to promote sustainable palm oil and support smallholder farmers.

Together for Sustainability

In 2011, Henkel and five other companies in the chemical industry established an initiative entitled “Together for Sustainability – The Chemical Initiative for Sustainable Supply Chains.”

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