Henkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings has officially opened its technology centre in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Occupying 70,000 square ft., the centre provides a unique and interactive destination for the company's strategic partners and customers. The facility showcases Henkel's entire technology portfolio of adhesives, sealants, functional coatings, and specialty materials and supports an environment for collaboration with customers from over 800 industry segments to develop innovative solutions.

"Innovation is at the core of what we do," said Michael Todd, vice-president of innovation and new business development, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. "The technology centre Bridgewater is designed to encourage collaboration across the value chain. We have successfully started this concept with the opening of our Inspiration Centre Düsseldorf last year and aim to adapt and leverage in core markets for our Adhesive Technologies business such as North America as well."

"The central focus of Adhesive Technologies' innovation activities is developing sustainable solutions for our customers," said Michael Harwell, vice-president of Innovation, Consumer Goods Adhesives. "With the help of digital technologies, many exhibits, and numerous labs, customers from across the US, Canada and Mexico can directly experience our innovative and technological power. We're excited to invite customers and partners alike to the facility to work together with us."

The Technology Centre features an interactive infinity room that includes a display of Henkel Adhesives Technologies' most innovative solutions in the region. Some of the featured programs include sustainable packaging for consumer goods, sustainable trends in palletizing, smart health solutions with printed electronics for diapers and personal health monitoring, digital solutions for maintenance, repair and operation of manufacturing equipment, and advances in engineered wood building applications.

"Henkel's investment in the centre is a testament to its commitment to grow and enhance its market position in the US, contributing to profitable growth," added Pernille Olsen, corporate vice president, Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives. "The Adhesive Technologies' Technology Centre in Bridgewater expands on Henkel's leading position in sustainability and innovation by providing a functional, yet inspiring, collaboration space for partners and customers. Through onsite collaboration at the Technology Centre, we can fully customise customer interaction to focus on co-innovation and joint value creation."

Henkel Adhesives Technologies employs more than 200 workers at the Bridgewater site. In addition to world class analytical and rheology capabilities, the site supports the hygiene, packaging and labeling, tissue and towel, flexible packaging, paper lamination, EPIX packaging, pressure sensitive tapes, graphics, medical and labels, engineered wood, and furniture and construction markets.