Henkel hits 100% renewable electricity goal in Kenya

KENYA – Henkel has reached a significant sustainability milestone with its Nairobi manufacturing site now fully powered by 100% renewable electricity.

This marks a major step in Henkel’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and demonstrates Kenya’s leadership in the shift towards clean energy.

Henkel Kenya is one of eight manufacturing sites under the Adhesive Technologies business unit in the Middle East and Africa that have transitioned to renewable electricity sources.

This shift eliminates the plant’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity usage, also known as Scope 2 emissions.

The transition includes on-site solar power installations and renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric and wind power.

Nancy Mwathi, Plant Manager for Henkel’s Nairobi Adhesives Factory, expressed her pride in the achievement, “This is a tremendous milestone for our team and aligns perfectly with Henkel’s 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework.

“Seeing this project, which began in 2021, come to fruition in 2024 has been both exciting and transformative. We are making a tangible impact here in Kenya, contributing to global sustainability goals.”

The Nairobi factory’s move to renewable electricity sources, including on-site solar installations, has significantly reduced its carbon footprint.

The switch to clean energy is expected to avoid approximately 3.5 tons of CO2 emissions annually, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the country.

On optimal days, the solar installation at Henkel’s Nairobi site provides about 95% of its daily electricity needs, while the remaining 5% is sourced from external renewable sources.

Henkel is also exploring ways to further increase its solar capacity, reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Across all its sites, Henkel has eliminated around 10,471 tons of CO2 emissions per year from Scope 2 activities—equivalent to the emissions of 2,500 gasoline-powered cars driven for one year, or roughly 2,700 flights from New York to Singapore.

By reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, Henkel is making a substantial environmental impact and setting a new standard in the industry.

Mwathi emphasized Henkel’s long-term sustainability goals, “We are well on our way to setting a net-zero pathway. Our focus now is on expanding our solar capacity and integrating more renewable energy sources at all of our sites.

“Additionally, we are looking into water and waste circularity as part of our future sustainability plans.”

Aligned with Henkel’s broader 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework, this achievement underscores the company’s commitment to purposeful growth and responsible business development.

“Our transition to renewable energy is about more than just reducing emissions; it’s about setting a new standard for sustainability in Kenya and beyond. We are dedicated to fostering a future where environmental responsibility and business success go hand in hand,” concluded Mwathi.

This milestone highlights Henkel’s leadership in sustainable practices, proving that environmental progress and operational excellence can coexist.

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