Henkel Australia has begun using electricity generated fully from renewable energy sources at its adhesive plants in Seven Hills, New South Wales, and Kilsyth, Victoria.

The adhesive plants serve a wide range of industries, such as flexible packaging, engineered wood, food and beverage, steel, paper, mining, and maintenance, repair and overhaul.

Thanks to more than 2,000 solar panels on their rooftops and renewable energy contracts, the sites are expected to realise more than 50 percent savings in carbon emissions in 2022, compared to last year.

“Globally, Henkel is accelerating its climate actions. In line with this, we have successfully switched to using 100 percent renewable electricity to power our adhesive plants in Australia. In tandem, we are exploring more ways to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise our operations as we progress towards becoming a climate positive company,” said Daniel Rudolph, President of Henkel Australia and New Zealand.

To optimise energy consumption and drive energy savings, new boilers, air compressors and scrubbers that come with variable speed drive (VSD) smart controllers are being used. Passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors are also being installed.

Henkel is pursuing ambitious goals to make its production processes climate positive by 2030. By 2025, the company aims to reduce the carbon footprint at its sites worldwide by 65 percent compared to the base year 2010.

Furthermore, the electricity used is to be generated 100 percent from renewable sources by 2030.