At Henkel, Corporate citizenship is our way of “Making society future-fit”. Our activities are designed to empower people through education to obtain the skills and competencies needed to develop innovative ideas, sustainable behaviors, and new digital solutions that will put them in a position to master future challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Together with our employees, pensioners, customers, consumers, partners and charitable organizations, we are committed to making a lasting contribution to society worldwide, above and beyond our business activities. We work together to actively contribute to social progress and give back to our communities contributions that improve our society and adhere to our purpose and corporate values.
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
Henkel’s commitment is based on three pillars: volunteer engagement by our employees, partnerships with charitable organizations, and emergency aid with focus on natural disasters and pandemics. Discover the three areas in which we organize our engagement.
Corporate Citizenship UK & Ireland
In the UK, the Henkel Hemel Hempstead office supports local charity, DENS, which houses, supports and empowers vulnerable single homeless people, and others in crisis, to transform their lives. Colleagues volunteer, raise money and take part in events for this charity.
At our Winsford and St Neots sites, other local charities are supported.
In Ireland, teams have a wide variety of charitable causes that they support, from coaching junior Irish football teams to taking science out into the community and helping to build bikes for children. Below are just three examples of many showing how Henkel colleagues in the UK & Ireland give their time to community initiatives.
Nurturing the next wave of young scientists and technologists
Henkel attended the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin, Ireland from 11 - 13 January 2024, with the goal to inspire the next generation of scientists.
The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) is an annual competition where students from all over Ireland come to showcase their scientific projects with the hope of walking away with a top prize. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the exhibition with each year attracting more young, pioneering scientists.
Patricia Cullen, Product Development Director, reflects on the importance of events like these with saying, “The BTYSTE event is inspiring, full of passion for science, and showcases really interesting projects. It is amazing for Henkel to be involved with BTYSTE as it encourages young people to explore the field of science, while always asking questions, as well as promoting inquisitive minds. Hopefully, we can attract many of those young scientists to Henkel Ireland one day”.
Henkel partnered with Habitat for Humanity to create a better world through upskilling
10 Henkel volunteers joined Habitat for Humanity on 6 October 2023 at their Upcycling Workshop in Dagenham as part of the ‘Empty Spaces to Homes’ programme.
The ‘Empty Spaces to Homes’ programme will transform three empty flats situated above retail storage spaces into affordable housing initially for 11 looked-after young people including care leavers, young people who have experienced homelessness, and unaccompanied asylum seekers. Habitat for Humanity expect these completed properties to house more than 100 young people over the next 15 years.
The Upcycling Workshop aims to furnish the properties and make them spaces where these young people can thrive. Only 2% of social housing in the UK currently comes furnished, leaving new residents already experiencing financial hardship struggling to find the funds to buy essential items such as a bed, fridge, or wardrobe.
The project aims to furnish these properties with high quality repaired and upcycled items, as well as create opportunities for other households and communities experiencing economic hardship to furnish their own space. Henkel got hands on to help sand and paint the furniture for these new living spaces.
“It has been so energizing to see how engaged our colleagues have been getting involved in the Habitat for Humanity ‘Empty Spaces to Homes’ programme! There is a great synergy between what Habitat for Humanity are trying to achieve and with our Craftsmen, Construction and Professional business strategy. The team had a lot of fun for a very worthy cause, and we are looking forward to offering more volunteering opportunities to the team in 2024,” explained Pippa Lewis, Project Lead (Education Channel Manager).
Henkel donates £25K to Comic Relief
In 2024, Henkel Adhesive Technologies Craftsmen, Construction and Professional business UKI donated £25,000 towards Comic Relief.
Comic Relief is a major charity based in the UK, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty. Their goal is to drive positive change through the power of entertainment. A goal which is very much aligned with ACC’s crazy goal of using its brands to help create a better world.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this project and help alleviate poverty. I am a strong advocate for social progress and enhancing the livelihoods of our local communities,” says Pippa Lewis, Channel Manager Education – ACC UKI.
Social Partnerships
We take responsibility for the good of generations. Building on the integrity inherent to a family-owned business, we leverage the unique Henkel spirit by entering into social partnerships in the communities where we live and where Henkel operates to support social initiatives and public institutions. We realize ideas and programs that answer societal problems and challenges. We do this worldwide – in our functions on a corporate level as well as through our brands, business units and in our regions.
We strive to ensure the future readiness of society through education, especially in innovation, sustainability, and digitalization. We contribute our time to this cause by providing financial support, product donations, education, and know-how.
Voluntary commitment of employees
Volunteering is the lifeblood of our social commitment. When we get active on personal level, the impact can be life-changing! That is why we support our employees, retirees and teams in their social volunteering activities that contribute to a better world.
MIT: Make an Impact on Tomorrow
In 1998, the MIT: Make an Impact on Tomorrow initiative was launched making Henkel one of the first German companies to include voluntary social engagement as a key element of its Corporate Citizenship activities.
Emergency Aid
Henkel provides emergency relief in the event of natural disasters and pandemics by giving immediate aid to people placed in urgent need due to an unexpected crisis.
Henkel and its employees have donated numerous products and financial support to people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Henkel also supports projects dedicated to helping in the aftermath of natural catastrophes such as wildfires in Algeria, Greece, Italy and Turkey as well as the flood disaster in Western Germany and the Benelux region.
