Dow, Henkel, and Kraton Drive Sustainability in North America Consumer Goods

Dow (NYSE: DOW), Henkel Adhesive Technologies, and Kraton Corporation have successfully reduced the product carbon footprint of two flagship North American end-of-line packaging products from Henkel: TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 100 and TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 106M.

The TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 100 LE and TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 106M LE formulations, crafted as biobased alternatives, demonstrate a 25% reduction in cradle-to-gate carbon footprint compared to their legacy counterparts. This achievement is made possible through a proprietary blend of Kraton’s SYLVALITE™ 2200 biobased tackifiers, developed utilizing REvolution™ rosin ester technology, and Dow’s AFFINITY™ GA polyolefin elastomers. These revised formulations maintain performance and food safety properties equivalent to those expected from the legacy designs while significantly reducing emissions.

Minco van Breevoort, President of Kraton Pine Chemicals, emphasized Kraton's acknowledgment of sustainability's significance in today's adhesive and packaging sectors, stating, “At Kraton, we recognize the pivotal role of sustainability in the adhesive and packaging markets of today. Our provision of Henkel with our REvolution™ technology and biobased tackifiers reflects our enduring commitment to developing innovative solutions that not only meet customer requirements but also mitigate environmental impact. We take pride in spearheading the transition towards sustainable adhesive and packaging alternatives.”

The production of sustainable products often entails higher manufacturing expenses and heightened regulatory scrutiny concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting across Scope 1, 2, and 3 categories. However, by investing in formulations with reduced carbon emissions, Henkel, Kraton, and Dow are not only responding to consumer demand for sustainable packaging but also making these solutions more accessible to manufacturers of consumer goods. As a result of this joint investment, TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 100 LE and TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 106M LE will be provided to existing customers at no additional cost.

Ulla Hüppe, Head of Sustainability for Adhesive Technologies at Henkel, highlights Henkel's leadership in advancing sustainable solutions that prioritize emission reduction, circularity, and safety. She underscores, "Sustainability is not solely an obligation to future generations but an integral factor driving our company's lasting prosperity." Collaborating with Kraton and Dow enables us to introduce lower emission solutions and set new industry standards."

Haley Lowry, Global Director of Sustainability at Dow, underscores the importance of collaboration with companies that align with Dow’s values and aspirations. She states, “We place our trust in collaborative partnerships with companies such as Henkel and Kraton, not only to establish alliances but to cultivate a sustainable ecosystem. We take pride in setting a precedent by joining forces with other industry leaders to initiate change and deliver value to customers.”

Kraton's REvolution™ stands as an inventive technology platform meticulously crafted to elevate color performance and oxidative stability in biobased tackifiers like Kraton’s SYLVALITE™ 2200. This technology presents a sustainable substitute for fossil-based products, empowering formulators to attain substantial biobased content and minimize carbon footprint. Dow’s AFFINITY™ GA delivers exceptional performance, particularly in extreme temperature conditions within packaging applications. The TECHNOMELT® product range encompasses additional biobased formulations alongside pioneering low-temperature hot melt adhesive formulations.