Henkel Adhesive Technologies will present its latest sustainable product innovations at drupa, the leading trade fair for print technologies, from May 28 to June 7. The company will showcase adhesive and coating solutions aimed at enabling circularity and reducing carbon footprints in the packaging industry.
Henkel’s portfolio includes a range of adhesives and coatings for flexible packaging, paper packaging, and specialty tapes and labels. At drupa, the focus will be on innovations that promote circularity and reduce environmental impact.
Enabling Circularity
Henkel supports a circular economy by developing adhesives that enhance the recyclability of packaging materials. The RE range of adhesives and coatings is designed to improve recyclability and enable the use of recycled content in new packaging. One highlight is the Aquence PS 3017 RE, a water-based acrylic adhesive for olefin-based film labels on washable PET bottles. This adhesive simplifies the label removal process, increases the purity of recycled PET, and boosts energy efficiency. Another notable product is the polyolefin-based extrudable hot melt solution for reclosable lids in food packaging, which offers low odor, superior transparency, and compatibility with PET and PE for better recyclability.
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Henkel’s ECO Range includes both bio-based and mass-balanced adhesives that optimize the carbon footprint of end products. The company will also emphasize its functional coatings that facilitate mono-material packaging designs. Additional topics will include low-temperature adhesives and lifecycle assessments.
Leading Innovations
Visitors at drupa will learn about Henkel’s EPIX technology platform, which provides functional barrier protection for paper packaging applications. The company will also present functional coatings for flexible packaging and advancements in UV pressure-sensitive adhesives, which offer energy savings and lower emissions. Henkel will debut its progress in smart equipment and service solutions.
Expert Talks
At the “touchpoint packaging” platform on May 31, Damien Fourcade, Sustainability Manager Packaging at Henkel, and Martin Hilgenstock, Senior Manager in Business Development, will discuss how Henkel collaborates in the design phase of packaging to enable recyclability and support faster market launches. They will outline strategies for collaborations across the value chain and present solutions that combine sustainability and company growth.
Richard Scholta, Director of Marketing & Strategy Packaging at Henkel, stated, “To live up to our ‘Respect, Rethink, Reinvent’ claim, we work with leading providers in the packaging industry. Innovations are created in dialogue with our partners. We are questioning the status quo and working together to develop pioneering packaging solutions without compromising efficiency or performance.”
At Henkel’s exhibition stand, visitors can explore strategic partnerships essential for a sustainable packaging industry. The company will showcase joint packaging projects with leading machine and material manufacturers. On a partner day, Henkel will collaborate with the cyclos-HTP Institute (CHI) to assess and certify packaging recyclability. Visitors can arrange appointments for expert discussions at the exhibition stand.