Photo source: Henkel
Henkel relaunches with focus on sustainability: social plastic, PCR and recyclable black plastic
Thomas Reiner | 17.12.2020
Henkel’s relaunch is further evidence that more and more sustainability efforts are moving from theory into practice. Concrete solutions are reaching the market, bringing important, practical experience and learning that we urgently need to future-proof the implementation of sustainability and the circular economy.
Consumer goods giant Henkel has relaunched three of its major retail brands in new, sustainable packaging. The focus is on social plastic, recyclable black plastic and PCR materials. The Henkel relaunch shows that efforts to increase sustainability are increasingly moving from theory to practice. This is a good thing, because we urgently need more innovation solutions in the area of sustainability. And for that, we need real implementations that generate real learnings. Because functioning, sustainable solutions are above all also an experience process. And usable experience can only be gained in practice.
Social Plastic:
Henkel has been working with the social enterprise “Plastic Bank” since 2017. The goal is to reduce plastic waste in the oceans and improve living conditions for people living in poverty – especially in countries without sufficient waste infrastructure. There, the local population can exchange collected plastic waste for money, goods or services. With “Nature Box,” Henkel is now launching what it claims is the first beauty brand to introduce social plastic as a packaging material for its entire bottle portfolio. All Nature Box bottle bodies are made of 98% social plastic.
PCR:
In the major brand relaunch of Henkel’s Schwarzkopf brand “Gliss Kur,” the company is increasing the proportion of recycled material across its entire product range. The new PE bottles for shampoo and conditioner are made from 30% recycled plastic, while the corresponding PET bottles are made from as much as 97% PCR.
Black plastic:
Henkel already introduced its first recyclable packaging made of black plastic last year. To achieve recyclability, the company relies on a carbon-free colorant. This may also be detected and sorted by recycling equipment using near-infrared (NIR) technology.
The total package:
The comprehensive relaunch package is part of Henkel’s plan to make all packaging 100 percent recyclable and/or reusable by 2025. The company also aims to have reduced the use of virgin plastic by half by then.
Henkel’s actions are further evidence that more and more sustainability efforts are moving from theory to practice. Concrete solutions are reaching the market and bringing important, practical experiences and learnings that we urgently need for the future-proof implementation of sustainability and the circular economy.
Henkel will certainly benefit from its relaunches. Because the experience gained is a treasure. A treasure that is only gained by those companies that start practicing – and actually put sustainable solutions on the road.
