Henkel Adhesive Technologies has entered into a collaboration with Swedish chemical company Sekab to support the transition from fossil-based to bio-based chemicals used in industrial adhesive production. The partnership focuses on replacing conventional ethyl acetate, a commonly used solvent, with a fossil-free, bio-based alternative.
The initiative applies to industrial adhesive formulations, including products used within Henkel’s Packaging division. Ethyl acetate is widely used in adhesive manufacturing, and shifting to a bio-based version is intended to reduce reliance on fossil-derived raw materials while maintaining existing application performance.
Under the collaboration, Sekab will supply fossil-free, bio-based chemicals designed to function as drop-in replacements within existing production processes. According to the companies, this approach allows the materials to be integrated without requiring changes to manufacturing equipment or downstream customer processes.
Henkel stated that the collaboration aligns with its broader sustainability objectives, which include reducing carbon emissions across its value chain and increasing the use of renewable raw materials in product formulations. The company aims to address both its own environmental footprint and customer sustainability targets by adjusting raw material inputs at the formulation stage.
“We are proud to collaborate with Sekab on this important journey towards more sustainable raw materials,” said 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.”
Adam Lindholm, Head of Sales and Business Development at Sekab, said the collaboration demonstrates how bio-based chemicals can be introduced into existing value chains. “By working together along the value chain, we can bring scalable, sustainable raw materials to market and create tangible climate benefits,” he said.
The collaboration forms part of Henkel’s wider corporate sustainability strategy, which includes advancing circular solutions across multiple industrial segments.