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.
Henkel Launches Forscherwelt in the UK and Ireland: Inspiring Young Minds in STEM
Henkel UK and Ireland has officially introduced Forscherwelt, Henkel’s global initiative created to spark an early passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM). The launch event, on 6 February 2025 at Maple Grove Primary School in Hemel Hempstead, marked the country’s entry into the growing international Forscherwelt network.
Forscherwelt, which translates to “Researchers’ World,” has been engaging young learners in hands-on scientific exploration since its debut at Henkel’s Düsseldorf headquarters in 2011. Now, children in the UK and Ireland will have the opportunity to embrace their natural curiosity by taking on the role of real-life researchers in a dynamic, interactive setting.
In partnership with EDT, a leading educational charity dedicated to connecting young people with industry, Forscherwelt offers children aged 8 to 10 a hands-on experience in scientific discovery. The programme is designed to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of experimentation by letting young participants assume the role of a real researcher. Through interactive experiments that mirror real-life research challenges, children are given the freedom to test ideas, embrace the possibility of failure, and learn in a supportive, creative environment.
Nurturing the next wave of young scientists and technologists
Henkel returned for the second year to the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin, Ireland from 8 - 11 January 2025, 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, “I absolutely enjoyed my time behind the Henkel stand at the BTYSE expo. The stand was super busy, with huge interest from parents and students of all ages. Many of the visitors returned to see our demos and learn new facts about polymers and adhesives. It was fun and motivating to see so many students enjoying science. The future of science and STEM is bright, and we have a dedicated team to thank for that, including Sally Parsons, who coordinated the event.”
Henkel partnered with Habitat for Humanity to create a better world through upskilling
10 Henkel volunteers joined Habitat for Humanity on 18 October 2024 at their Upcycling Workshop in Dagenham to help restore some donated furniture and give back to the local area.
The Upcycling Workshop aims to furnish disused commercial spaces across the London borough with preloved furniture, creating warm and inviting homes where young individuals transitioning out of the care system can thrive. Currently, only 2% of social housing in the UK comes furnished, leaving many new residents, who often face financial difficulties, struggling to secure essential items like chairs, beds and drawers. Habitat for Humanity is committed to addressing this issue by providing secure and quality homes for those in need, wherever they live.
10 volunteers representing marketing, sales, business planning and engineering, participated in the busy day of hands-on work. Habitat for Humanity kindly provided all the necessary safety equipment and three highly trained staff members to assist and guide the team throughout the day. Volunteers were divided into two groups: Team One stripped, sanded, and painted while Team Two added the finishing touches, waxing, varnishing, and reassembling finished pieces. After a rewarding yet dusty afternoon, the team managed to upcycle over 15 pieces of furniture without a splinter in sight!
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.
“Sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's a big part of who we are! Our recent experience with Habitat for Humanity was a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on and make a real difference, perfectly aligning with our Crazy Goal of ensuring every home can benefit from our products. The team had a blast for a great cause, and it was wonderful to see everyone’s DIY skills in action!” said Pippa Lewis, ACC Shopper & Trade Marketing Manager.
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.
