Henkel partners with Covestro to develop engineered wood adhesives

Henkel and Covestro join forces to develop sustainable adhesives for load-bearing wooden structures. Elements such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) or glue-laminated timber (GLT) can be found in a variety of indoor and outdoor applications in buildings, from staircases to facades to structural elements. For this purpose, Covestro supplies Henkel with polyurethane-based raw materials that are linked to bio-based raw materials through a mass balance method. Henkel uses products from Covestro for its high-performance adhesive solutions.

"Collaboration with like-minded partners across the value chain is key to achieving a circular and climate-neutral world. Materials play an important role in reducing a building’s carbon footprint. Henkel's new wood adhesive is based on more sustainable raw materials from Covestro and together we contribute to the circular transformation of the construction industry," said Thomas Roemer, Head of the Coatings and Adhesives Business Entity at Covestro.

Load-bearing adhesives already contribute to the sustainability of building structures by supporting timber construction. Because wood is a natural material, its properties are inherently more variable than most synthetic materials. For example, it is prone to deformation, affecting aesthetics and functionality, often limiting its use in load-bearing or other demanding applications.

Utilizing techniques and processes to bond different layers of wood, such as cross-lamination or glue lamination using polyurethane adhesives. As a result, boards can be produced that retain their strength, shape and functionality over time. The carbon footprint of this material can be further reduced by increasing the use of alternative raw materials.

"This is another step towards a more sustainable and circular future. Thanks to our collaboration with Covestro, we are able to offer two of our best-selling polyurethane adhesives, which are currently manufactured using alternative raw materials. Furthermore, by using the mass balance method, product performance does not change. In this way, we offer our direct customers, as well as construction companies, a solution that helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of buildings," says Dr. Claudia Meckel, Head of Product Development for Engineered Wood at Henkel.