Henkel (ETR: HEN3), a German chemical and consumer goods company as well as a global leader in sustainability, announces that Henkel Adhesive Technologies has developed a revolutionary can sealant for the food industry, DAREX WBC 711, designed for irregular ends of tinplate or aluminum cans lined by shower head or die lining application. This new sealant offers a significant reduction in Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) emissions, surpassing the environmentally established compound DAREX OP 2928 by more than 30%, excluding the use phase and end-of-life emissions.
Sealing tinplate or aluminum cans with rectangular and oval ends, referred to as “irregular ends,” has historically posed challenges. Unlike round ends, irregular ends do not distribute the product evenly around the perimeter using centrifugal force. Existing compounds like DAREX OP 2928, DAREX OP 453, and DAREX OP 53BX required additional non-web additives to avoid application issues such as webbing and elongated compound droplets. However, with the introduction of DAREX WBC 711, Henkel has eliminated the need for these additives, providing effective sealing at a lower cost.
DAREX WBC 711 offers several advantages, including reduced material costs, decreased downtime for cleaning, and the elimination of effort for additive addition and mixing. The sealant’s improved storage stability results in reduced metal waste and fewer quality defects, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and efficient can production process.
This water-based sealant can be used in hot and cold filling, double seaming with or without steam injection, and in pasteurization or sterilization processes. It complies with European food legislation and FDA requirements, making it a versatile and eco-friendly choice for can sealing applications.
Enzo Orellana, Global Market Strategy Manager Sealants at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, highlights “The extended pot life and lower carbon footprint are just two of the many ways that the new sealant contributes to more sustainable production of tinplate and aluminum cans,” explains Enzo Orellana, Global Market Strategy Manager Sealants at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “Overall, our customers achieve significantly greater process flexibility which provides environmental, cost and performance benefits.”
