Henkel Adhesive Technologies creates sustainability assessment methodology

As a leading global supplier of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, Henkel Adhesive Technologies is continuously driving sustainability based on its Sustainability Ambition 2030. To further accelerate its contribution to sustainability, Adhesive Technologies aims to continuously transform its portfolio. To this end, the business unit has developed an internal assessment methodology to provide transparency on the sustainability performance of its product portfolio. The results of this assessment are an integral part of all business management processes, such as the definition of innovation and business strategies, as well as portfolio management and collaboration with customers. The most recent assessment was conducted in the first half of 2023 and was subject to an independent business review to obtain limited assurance on selected disclosures. To ensure sufficient portfolio coverage, the internal methodology mandates coverage of all commercial products representing at least 80% of annual net sales, including full coverage of all products in the 'Challenged'1 category. With coverage of 88% of Adhesive Technologies' net sales in 2021 and 2022, this threshold was significantly exceeded.

"Assessing the sustainability performance of our products as a basis for our strategic business management is a core element in transforming our portfolio and making a positive contribution in the areas of climate, circular economy, safety and natural resources. The external audit underlines our approach to establish a systematic framework based on comprehensive criteria and verified evidence," explains Ulla Hüppe, Global Head of Sustainability at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. "The assessment results create a clear understanding of the contribution and performance of individual products and help to embed sustainability as an integral part of our business strategy. They also create even more transparency for our customers and support the shift toward new solutions that enable emissions reduction and circular economy." The focus of the assessment is to identify and map those products within the portfolio that make a significant contribution to sustainability. The criteria cover the entire value chain and consider impacts along all sectors. In this way, the criteria not only reflect the footprint of Adhesive Technologies' own operations and raw material consumption, but also assess how the solutions enable customers to drive sustainability in four key areas (climate, circular economy, safety, and natural resources).