How Henkel and Sekab are Creating Bio-based Raw Materials

As procurement teams are increasingly tasked with reducing Scope 3 emissions, this partnership between Henkel Adhesive Technologies and Swedish chemical company Sekab is a direct example of how sustainable procurement can help.

Accelerating the shift to renewable chemistry

Henkel’s strategic collaboration with Sekab will see the pair accelerate the transition from fossil-based to bio-based raw materials in adhesive production – which involves blending polymers, resins and additives through precise mixing, often under heat or vacuum, to create bonding agents tailored for specific applications.

“We are proud to collaborate with Sekab on this important journey towards more sustainable raw materials,” says Elodie Picard, Head of Sustainability for the packaging division at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation with impact – delivering high-performance solutions that offer benefits for our customers and for the environment.”

The duo are working together to replace conventional ethyl acetate with a sustainable, bio-based alternative, supporting Henkel’s ambition to lead with innovation and sustainability in advanced industrial adhesive solutions.

Empowering customers through 'drop-in' solutions

This initiative reinforces Henkel’s leadership by aligning sustainability with a forward-looking value proposition. By adopting renewable, 'drop-in' raw materials, Henkel simultaneously lowers its own environmental impact and empowers customers to meet their climate targets.

Adam Lindholm, Head of Sales and Business Development at Sekab, adds: “Our collaboration with Henkel demonstrates how fossil-free, bio-based chemicals can be integrated into existing value chains without compromising performance.

“This accelerates the transition towards a fossil-independent chemical industry. By working together along the value chain, we can bring scalable, sustainable raw materials to market and create tangible climate benefits.”

Purposeful growth and the 2030+ ambition

The collaboration with Sekab represents a key pillar of Henkel’s corporate sustainability strategy, which includes advancing circular solutions, reducing carbon emissions and enabling customers to meet their own sustainability targets through cutting-edge adhesive technologies.

This partnership empowers customers to hit their green targets using advanced adhesives and marks a significant milestone in Henkel’s broader mission to lead regional climate strategy through innovation.

Henkel’s approach to sustainability is anchored in its corporate purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations." Rather than treating sustainability as a secondary initiative, the company has integrated it into the core of its "Purposeful Growth" agenda.

This strategy is built on the belief that long-term business success is inseparable from ecological regeneration and social equity.

To turn high-level goals into measurable progress, Henkel operates under the 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework, which categorises its efforts into three primary dimensions:

• Regenerative planet: Focusing on the transition to a circular economy and a net zero future. Key goals include a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 (vs 2021) and the circular use of water and waste materials in operations by 2030.

• Thriving communities: Prioritising the human element by promoting equity, education and wellbeing. A standout milestone in this category is the commitment to achieving gender parity across all management levels by 2025.

• Trusted partner: Ensuring business integrity through high product safety standards, transparent reporting and deep collaboration across the supply chain.

Key levers for systemic change

Henkel identifies three specific levers to scale these ambitions across its entire value chain:

1. Products: Innovating adhesive technologies and consumer goods to provide higher performance with a reduced ecological footprint.

2. People: Empowering employees and stakeholders to act as catalysts for sustainable development.

3. Partnerships: Working with universities, suppliers and industry experts to drive the systemic solutions required to tackle global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.