Henkel Publishes 20th Sustainability Report

DUESSELDORF, Germany and ROCKY HILL, Conn., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Henkel has published its 20th Sustainability Report in conjunction with its Annual Report for 2010. More than 20 years ago, Henkel made a commitment to principles and objectives relating to occupational health and safety, resource conservation and emissions reduction. In 2008, the company announced its targets for 2012. Thanks to determination throughout the organization, these targets were achieved by the end of 2010. Measured on a per-ton output basis, energy consumption decreased by 21 percent, water usage by 26 percent, and the amount of waste generated by 24 percent. Over the same period, the number of occupational accidents fell by 29 percent. These achievements demonstrate that, for Henkel, sustainability is inextricably linked to economic success.

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In North America, Henkel markets a range of well-known consumer and industrial brands, including Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, Right Guard® antiperspirants, and Loctite® adhesives.

"2010 was an excellent year for Henkel. And I am particularly proud that we have already exceeded the sustainability targets that we set for 2012. Our achievements and progress in sustainability management are also regularly confirmed by independent, international rankings and ratings. The strong position we hold is due primarily to the high level of engagement and competence of our employees," said Kasper Rorsted, Henkel CEO and Chairman of the company's Sustainability Council. "The commitment and seriousness with which we have approached this issue over the decades are also reflected in our corporate values. These include a statement of intent to further extend our leading role in the field of sustainability," he continued. Henkel sees this as contributing to the achievement of a long-term increase in shareholder value as well as offering potential for differentiating the company from its competition.

Promoting sustainable consumption remains one of the key challenges on which Henkel will be focusing its efforts in the future. In view of the rapidly growing world population and the increase in consumption, growth and quality of life need to be decoupled from resource depletion and emissions. For Henkel, the solution to this challenge is innovative products and processes that require fewer resources while offering identical or better performance. One example is the Henkel hotmelt adhesive Supra Cool 130, which decreases the energy consumed in package bonding applications by up to 40 percent due to its reduced processing temperature of 130 degrees Celsius.

Henkel intends to drive the development of comparable sustainable solutions in the future by working closely with its industrial and retail customers, its suppliers and its consumers, in an approach that encompasses the entire value chain.

More detailed information and examples related to the issue of sustainability management at Henkel can be found in the current report. The printed version is complemented by a detailed online Sustainability Report available at www.henkel.com/sustainabilityreport.

SOURCE Henkel