Dow and Henkel bring sustainability to hot melt adhesives

New AFFINITY™ RE is one of the first bio-based high-performance polyolefin elastomers on the market
 

HORGEN, Switzerland – February 11, 2020 – Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, a business division of Dow (NYSE: DOW), announces the expansion of its high-performance AFFINITY™ GA polyolefin elastomers (POE) with the launch of bio-based AFFINITY™ RE. This solution has enabled Dow customer Henkel’s Technomelt SUPRA ECO line to achieve another milestone in both companies’ sustainability goals.

Climate change is among the greatest technical, social, and economic issues the world is currently facing. That is why reducing the carbon footprint is more vital than ever. As consumers demand more sustainable solutions from suppliers and brands, AFFINITY™ RE offers an alternative to fossil fuel-based products and can help to reduce the carbon footprint whilst delivering the same well-known performance as the entire AFFINITY™ GA range. To achieve this, AFFINITY™ RE is made using bio-based feedstock such as tall oil – a by-product created by the paper-milling industry and ultimately sourced from sustainably managed forests. This whole process is certified on a mass balance basis by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC).

“Consumers expect more sustainability from the products they use, and packaging is no exception. We want to support the industry to not just meet consumer expectations but to proactively set ever higher sustainability ambitions,” said Imran Munshi, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics consumer marketing manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “At Dow we’re proud to be embarking on a journey towards greater sustainability alongside an innovative customer such as Henkel.”

“Consumers, brand owners, regulators and the industry are demanding change. The use of bio based material in consumer goods and packaging has been identified as an important driver for sustainable sourcing and lever to reduce environmental footprint. With a leading position in sustainable solutions, Henkel has anticipated these demands and believes in the necessity of driving change within the industry. This can only be achieved through close collaboration with industry partners along the value chain.” said Jenna Koenneke, Global Head of Market Strategy for Consumer Good Adhesives at Henkel. ”When the opportunity came to work with Dow to bring to life this sustainable solution, we saw it as a chance and a responsibility towards the industry and consumers to offer the best quality adhesive for their packaging with the lowest environmental impact through our new Technomelt SUPRA ECO range.”

The AFFINITY™ RE range consists of three grades with 100% bio-based content on a mass balance basis to optimize the carbon footprint of hot melt adhesives.

About Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics

Packaging and Specialty Plastics (P&SP), a business unit of Dow (NYSE: DOW), combines core strengths of R&D, worldwide reach, broad product lines and industry expertise to deliver high performing technologies for end use markets in food packaging, personal hygiene, infrastructure, consumer goods and transportation. P&SP is one of the world’s largest producers of polyethylene resins, functional polymers, and adhesives, and enabled by Pack Studios, is a leading innovator and collaborator across the value chain on sustainable application development and circular economy life-cycle design for plastics. www.dowpackaging.com

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $39 billion in 2020. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

About Henkel

Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2019, Henkel reported sales of more than 20 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of more than 3.2 billion euros. Henkel employs more than 52,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

For further information contact:

Virginie Wengler
+41 44 728 20 76
vwengler@dow.com