Mehmet Yilmaz, director of operations and projects for Henkel Adhesive Technologies in the Middle East and Africa, said the Alrode facility demonstrates how global sustainability goals can be translated into practical local action.
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Henkel South Africa has achieved a significant sustainability milestone after reducing carbon emissions at its Alrode manufacturing facility by nearly 40% and reaching net-zero operational emissions, underscoring the growing role of industry in South Africa’s transition to a lower-carbon economy.
The company announced that between 2024 and 2025, carbon dioxide emissions at the Johannesburg-based plant fell from 613 tons to 375 tons, representing a reduction of 238 tons through a combination of energy-efficiency improvements, equipment optimisation and increased use of renewable energy.
A major contributor to the achievement has been the commissioning of a 1.8MWp solar installation, which now provides approximately 65% of the facility’s electricity requirements.
The renewable energy investment, together with the gradual replacement of fossil fuel-based systems with electric alternatives, has enabled the plant to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.
According to Henkel, the Alrode facility has been operating at net-zero emissions since June 2026, placing it on track to achieve full site-level carbon neutrality.
Thelma Mamatlepa, plant manager at Henkel Alrode, said sustainability has become an integral part of the company’s operational strategy rather than a standalone objective.
“Sustainability at Henkel is no longer a future ambition. It is embedded in how we operate on a daily basis,” said Mamatlepa.
“The progress at Alrode reflects a deliberate shift towards integrating sustainability into core operations, where energy, equipment and process decisions are aligned to deliver measurable impact.”
Beyond environmental benefits, the company said the changes have also delivered significant operational advantages.
The renewable energy investment, together with the gradual replacement of fossil fuel-based systems with electric alternatives, has enabled the plant to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.
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Henkel reported that the facility has improved its overall energy efficiency by approximately 35%, generating meaningful cost savings while strengthening business resilience.
The company said the results demonstrate that sustainability initiatives can contribute directly to improved business performance and competitiveness.
Veerabhadra Konakalla, head of safety, health and environment for India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA) Adhesive Technologies, said the project forms part of a broader effort to integrate sustainability into day-to-day operations.
“What is particularly important is that these improvements are not standalone sustainability initiatives, but part of a broader operational strategy,” said Konakalla.
“Across our India, Middle East and Africa operations, we are focused on embedding sustainability into how we manage safety, energy and environmental impact at a systems level.”
“The progress at Alrode reflects how a structured, disciplined approach can deliver measurable outcomes while supporting long-term resilience,” he added.
Henkel’s achievement comes as South Africa seeks to accelerate its decarbonisation efforts under its commitments to the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contribution targets.
Industrial emissions remain a key area of focus as the country pursues a Just Energy Transition that balances environmental objectives with economic growth and industrial competitiveness.
The company noted that investments in on-site renewable energy generation and the electrification of operations align with government objectives outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan, which encourages greater renewable energy capacity and increased private sector participation in electricity generation.
Henkel’s local progress also supports the group’s broader global sustainability targets.
The multinational company is aiming to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, while pursuing an ambition of achieving net-zero emissions across its operations by 2045.
Mehmet Yilmaz, director of operations and projects for Henkel Adhesive Technologies in the Middle East and Africa, said the Alrode facility demonstrates how global sustainability goals can be translated into practical local action.
“The Alrode facility is a strong example of how global sustainability commitments can be translated into local execution,” said Yilmaz.
“By combining targeted investments with operational focus, we are able to scale impact across our manufacturing network, ensuring that efficiency, reliability and sustainability are advanced together in a practical and commercially viable way.”
BUSINESS REPORT