Henkel has reached a significant sustainability milestone with its Nairobi manufacturing site now powered entirely by renewable electricity. This achievement underscores Kenya’s role as a leader in the transition to clean energy.
The Nairobi facility is one of eight manufacturing sites within Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies business unit in the Middle East and Africa that have transitioned to renewable electricity sources, effectively eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity usage, referred to as Scope 2 emissions. The shift includes on-site solar installations and external renewable sources such as hydroelectric and wind energy.
Nancy Mwathi, Plant Manager for Henkel’s Nairobi Adhesives Factory, expressed her enthusiasm for the milestone: “This is a tremendous milestone for our team and a key part of Henkel’s broader vision. Seeing this project, which began in 2021, come to fruition in 2024 has been both exciting and transformative.”
The solar installation at the Nairobi site now supplies approximately 95% of the facility’s daily electricity needs on optimal days, with the remaining 5% sourced from external renewable providers. The plant is actively exploring ways to expand its solar capacity, reinforcing Henkel’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Through its renewable energy initiatives, Henkel has eliminated approximately 10,471 tons of CO2 emissions annually from its Scope 2 activities, equivalent to the carbon footprint of around 2,500 gasoline-powered cars driven for one year.
Mwathi highlighted the company’s long-term vision: “The journey towards setting a net-zero pathway is well underway. We are looking into increasing our solar capacity and integrating more renewable electricity sources at all our sites worldwide.”
This achievement aligns with Henkel’s 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework, which aims to create value through responsible business development. Mwathi concluded, “Our transition to renewable energy is about much more than just reducing emissions. It’s about setting a standard in Kenya and across the region.”
Henkel’s commitment to sustainability continues to set a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating that environmentally responsible practices can also enhance operational efficiency.