STRATEGIC
ALLIANCE
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt
Frank Meyer
Ulrike Sapiro
In Deutsch lesen
2023-08-01
Henkel becomes a partner of Circular Valley

The company and the initiative signed an agreement on Monday (July 31). Together, they want to work to advance the circular economy, develop Germany's wider Rhine-Ruhr region as a central location for it, and collaborate with young companies and science.

Henkel has entered into a partnership with the Circular Valley Foundation to advance the circular economy. The goal of the Circular Valley accelerator program is to further promote the Rhine-Ruhr region as an attractive location for young companies and researchers in the field of the circular economy. The strategic alliance with Circular Valley offers Henkel the opportunity to connect with start-ups, scientists from around the world and to further expand its own local network in the Rhine-Ruhr region.
The partnership with Circular Valley enables us to pursue our ambitions in the field of circular economy with a strong partner. As an added bonus, we will also be able to support scientists and young companies from the region at the same time. Together, we will exchange ideas on new technologies and innovative approaches, share knowledge and best practices, and set new impulses in order to join forces to further advance the transformation towards a circular economy.

Thorsten Bastigkeit,
Director R&D Research & Open Innovation at Henkel
The Circular Valley network includes large companies such as Bayer, Evonik, BASF and Vorwerk as well as global market leaders from medium-sized businesses, such as Knipex, Huehoco Group and the Kirchhoff Group. Major scientific institutions (including Fraunhofer Umsicht, Max Planck Society and Wuppertal Institute) and more than 70 start-ups from all around world are also part of the network that Circular Valley has brought to and supported in the Rhine-Ruhr region during the last two years.

Based in Wuppertal, The Circular Valley Foundation works across industries and technologies to close material loops along existing value chains, develops policy recommendations and sustainably informs the public about the circular economy.
Henkel will be a great new partner to our network, and at an ideal time. For the next phase of the accelerator program starting in late summer, we have specifically called for applications from young start-ups that develop circular solutions for consumer goods packaging. The exchange with our new partner Henkel will be very exciting for both sides.

Dr. Carsten Gerhardt,
Initiator of Circular Valley and chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation
The first highlight for both partners will be the Circular Valley Forum on November 16. Here, more than one thousand decision-makers from business, politics and science will come together to discuss new ideas and approaches.
About Henkel
With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. With its Adhesive Technologies business sector, Henkel is the global market leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. For consumer brands, the company is a global leader in many markets and categories, particularly with laundry detergents, household cleaners and hair care. The company's three biggest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In 2022 Henkel generated sales of more than 22 billion euros and an adjusted operating profit of approximately 2.3 billion euros. Henkel's preferred shares are listed on the DAX. Sustainable action has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company pursues a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Founded in 1876, Henkel today employs a diverse team of more than 50,000 people worldwide - united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and the corporate purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations." For more information, visit www.henkel.de.
About Circular Valley
Circular Valley is the global hotspot for the circular economy. The non-profit Circular Valley Foundation brings relevant stakeholders to the table. Across industries and technologies, companies, start-ups, science and politics jointly develop solutions for the transformation to a circular economy. Public relations, the world's first Circular Economy Accelerator and policy recommendations are the foundation's main areas of work. For more information, visit www.circular-valley.org.

Images can be found online at www.henkel.de/presse.
Contacts
Sina Pfanschilling
Phone +49 211-797-9904
E-Mail sina.pfanschilling@henkel.com

Clara Hennings
Phone +49 202-256-237-25
E-Mail press@circular-valley.org