Henkel Adhesive Technologies

Henkel Adhesive Technologies

The lower the temperature the higher the impact

Innovations that reduce the energy used in the manufacturing process are good for business and are good for the planet

Emily Mullins
Global Market Strategy Manager - Surface Technologies, Metals business

4 min.
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The cost of energy is one of the greatest immediate challenges facing the manufacturing sector. According to the World Bank, in 2022 energy prices surged 60 percent, with 2023 projections show an 11 percent decline. However, despite this, energy prices will still be 75 percent above the past five year average.  

Innovations that reduce the energy used in the manufacturing process are good for business and are good for the planet. Many of Henkel’s customers are sharing in the drive to reduce their carbon footprint as part of their sustainability goals, with canmakers putting sustainability at the top of their agenda.

In this blog, I focus on the potential to reduce the energy used in making cans, delivering lower costs and greater sustainability, and the role that Henkel is playing as a global market leader in delivering innovative solutions.

Saving energy throughout the can production process

In previous blogs, I covered how aluminum is a great material for sustainable packaging because it is infinitely recyclable and recycled aluminum requires 95% less energy than new aluminum.

There are plenty of opportunities to save more energy throughout the production process. Each stage in can production uses energy, materials and machinery, and increasing the efficiency of any of these delivers a more cost-effective, environmentally sustainable outcome. 

Materials play a major role in this, from lubricants and surface treatments, to coatings and sealants. Innovative products can enable efficiency in the production process and reduce consumption of valuable resources like natural gas and water. 

Visual of Henkel's Metal Packaging Value Chain solutions across the manufacturing process including coatings and sealants for can ends with several food cans

First low temperature cleaners help deliver more efficient, sustainable can production

Available globally in mid-2023, Henkel’s innovative BONDERITE C-IC 72000 series cleaners for aluminum beverage cans clean at a lower bath temperature, consuming less energy and creating a smaller CO2 footprint. Unlike traditional cleaners, this low temperature cleaner operates around 110°F (43°C), versus 140°F (60°C), enabling a significant reduction in natural gas used to heat the cleaning stages of the washer.

The BONDERITE C-IC 72000 series portfolio of cleaners, include traditional fluoride-free to single pack cleaners with ranging fluoride levels from low, medium to high to meet customer requirements. Additionally, the products are formulated to produce less foam at the lower operating temperature. Therefore, there is less drag out in rinses, enabling optimization of water usage in the rinse stages. There is less evaporative losses at the lower temperature, as well.  Furthermore, the lower operating temperature may help reduce maintenance costs by creating a less corrosive environment with less wear and tear.            

BONDERITE C-IC 72000 Series Features and Benefits

1. Operating temperature reduced from 140°F (60°C) to 110° (43°C)
  • Less natural gas usage and lower CO2 emissions
  • Safer work environment
  • Less evaporative losses
  • Less wear and tear
2. Reduced Foam compared to conventional cleaners
  • Reduce foam carry-over 
  • Optimize water usage 
3. Global availability
  • Local formulations will be available in all regions throughout 2023

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What's next

Henkel is committed to innovation and rethinking how to promote sustainable manufacturing through new product introductions. We are continually evolving our range of lubricants, cleaners, surface treatments, and sealants to offer solutions that increase efficiency, reduce production costs, use less resources, and deliver greater sustainability.

To learn more about introducing energy efficiency in your metal packaging operations, and how Henkel solutions can help make it happen, please visit us at Henkel Metal Packaging.

About the author

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Emily Mullins
Global Market Strategy Manager - Surface Technologies, Metals business

As the Global Market Strategy Manager for the Surface Technologies segment of the Metals business, Emily is responsible for developing global business and product development strategies based on trends and innovations in the industry, such as the drive for more recyclable and sustainable products and more efficient production processes. With a background in chemical engineering and almost 20 years of experience in the industry, she offers a wealth of product expertise to both internal stakeholders and external customers.
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