Henkel opens US product technology center to drive collaboration and R&D

19 May 2023 --- Henkel has opened its Technology Center in Bridgewater, US, presenting the company’s full technology portfolio of adhesives, sealants, functional coatings and specialty materials. The center is also said to support collaboration with customers to develop innovative solutions. 

“Innovation is at the core of what we do,” says Michael Todd, vice president of Innovation and New Business Development at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “The Technology Center Bridgewater is designed to encourage collaboration across the value chain.” 

Todd continues by saying that the company has successfully started its innovation concept with the opening of its Inspiration Center Düsseldorf, in Germany last year and aims to adapt and leverage in core markets for its Adhesive Technologies business in North America.

“The central focus of Adhesive Technologies’ innovation activities is developing sustainable solutions for our customers,” says Michael Harwell, vice president of Innovation, Consumer Goods Adhesives. 

“With the help of digital technologies, many exhibits and numerous labs, customers from across the US, Canada and Mexico can directly experience our innovative and technological power.”

Some of the center’s featured programs include sustainable packaging for consumer goods and sustainable trends in palletizing.Growing US market position 
The Technology Center features an interactive infinity room that includes a display of Henkel Adhesives Technologies’ most innovative solutions in the region. Some featured programs include sustainable packaging for consumer goods, sustainable trends in palletizing, smart health solutions with printed electronics for diapers and personal health monitoring, digital solutions for maintenance, repair and operation of manufacturing equipment and advances in engineered wood building applications.

“Henkel’s investment in the center is a testament to its commitment to grow and enhance its market position in the US, contributing to profitable growth,” says Pernille Olsen, corporate vice president, Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives. 

“The Adhesive Technologies’ Technology Center in Bridgewater expands on Henkel’s leading position in sustainability and innovation by providing a functional, yet inspiring, collaboration space for partners and customers. Through onsite collaboration at the Technology Center, we can fully customize customer interaction to focus on co-innovation and joint value creation.”

Henkel’s recyclable packaging 
Henkel Adhesives Technologies employs more than 200 workers at the Bridgewater site. In addition to analytical and rheology capabilities, the site supports Hygiene, Packaging and Labeling, Tissue and Towel, Flexible Packaging, Paper Lamination, EPIX packaging, Pressure Sensitive Tapes, Graphics, Medical and Labels, Engineered Wood, and Furniture and Construction markets.

Last month, Henkel announced it had developed a low-temperature cleaner for aluminum beverage cans amid increasing industry and consumer demand for recyclable packaging. When used in traditional spray systems, the Bonderite C-IC 72000 series cleans at a lower temperature than existing applications, reducing natural gas use and thereby lowering carbon emissions. 

Together with UPM Specialty Papers, Henkel developed a grease-resistant, recyclable and heat-sealable paper-based packaging material compatible with existing packaging lines. 

The high-performance packaging concept is suitable for a wide range of dry foods that require grease resistance, such as party snacks and bread sticks – both of which were showcased at Interpack 2023 in Düsseldorf.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim

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