BASF and Henkel: Joint initiative for climate-friendly production!

BASF and Henkel: Joint initiative for climate-friendly production!

On March 11, 2025, it will be seen that many large companies around the world have committed to significantly reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial companies with energy-intensive production processes in particular face major challenges in this concept. In order to achieve the climate goals, BASF and Henkel have started a joint project to reduce emissions, which experts such as Prof. Dr. Martin Glaum, Prof. Dr. Alexander Gerybadze, Dr. Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum and Ralph Schweens are directly involved. This initiative is not only groundbreaking, but can be applied to various carbon-intensive sectors that are undergoing a similar transformation process.

The collaboration between BASF and Henkel was motivated by the desire for a comprehensive and sustainable solution. Henkel began assessing its own CO2 footprint around ten years ago, focusing particularly on Scope 3 emissions that result from purchased raw materials. BASF, as a key supplier, recognized the urgency of sustainability and joined in to join forces. Through interdisciplinary teams from research and development, marketing, purchasing and sales, a comprehensive approach was developed that achieved significant progress in just two years.

Sustainability strategies and CO2 accounting

Nowadays, CO2 accounting, also known as carbon accounting, is becoming increasingly important. This happens particularly within the framework of ESG regulations and sustainable business practices. The purpose of this accounting is to accurately calculate companies' carbon footprint and transparently report to all stakeholders, and is a crucial element for risk management and regulatory compliance. Through these measures, companies can not only increase their operational efficiency, but also increase their brand value through a strong commitment to sustainability.

As explained by reegy.com, carbon accounting consists of several steps: from identifying emission sources to producing detailed reports and continuously improving methods. Compliance with international standards such as the GHG protocol or ISO 14064 plays an important role in the respective accounting processes. Companies that get involved here not only benefit from reducing their ecological footprint, but also from the potential for cost savings.

Innovations in the circular economy

As the importance of sustainable practices grows, the circular economy is also emerging as an important factor. The goal of the circular economy is not to simply dispose of products at the end of their life cycle, but rather to process them or break them down into usable parts. Projects like Catena-X, which connect companies along the automotive value chain, are already showing initial progress. This enables the exchange of information between vehicle recyclers to make the reuse and recycling of materials easier.

Technologies from Fraunhofer IPK that use digital twins support this process by creating transparency about the CO2 footprint in the recycling process. Such data-driven approaches are also important for projects in aerospace and international nanotechnological exchange. Research is even going so far as to focus on residues such as biopolymers that can be broken down by microorganisms to create materials that are sustainable and help reduce future emissions.

Experience from the collaboration between BASF and Henkel shows that significant progress in reducing emissions is possible through strong partnerships. To replicate these successes, other companies should be encouraged to take bold steps, find strong partners and involve senior management in the process. Flexibility is also crucial in order to adapt to constantly changing influencing factors. The strategies of these companies can therefore serve as an example for various industries that are looking for sustainable solutions.