HENKEL – A MAJOR SUPPLIER FOR PRINTED ELECTRONICS

With decades of experience in printed electronics and adhesive technologies for diverse end applications, Henkel brings unparalleled material expertise to the table. Henkel has a wide portfolio and four decades of material formulation expertise. These allow the company´s partners to develop printed-electronics applications tailored to the specific properties demanded by industrial customers. Areas include healthcare, automotive and consumer electronics. 

Henkel’s extensive understanding of market trends and transformations, within various industries, ensures that it remains at the forefront of innovation. As technological advances – such as the Internet of Things (IOT) and 5G – play an increasingly pivotal role in everyday life, industries face the challenge of keeping pace. 

The declining costs and scalability of electronic components have expanded their applications. While emerging technologies, such as printed electronics, unlock entirely new possibilities. Printed electronics are poised to revolutionise diverse sectors, from living and hygiene, to mobility. Each of these areas is grappling with rising consumer expectations for greater innovation and digital integration. This technology offers promising solutions, particularly for manufacturers and converters, especially in the realm of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Recognising this shift towards high-volume applications early on, Henkel has actively advanced the development of printed electronics to fully harness their potential. Henkel’s leadership in this field, enables it to drive advancements effectively. The company emphasises its expertise and extensive portfolio of functional material innovations, including functional inks.

The range of Loctite inks available include silver, carbon, dielectric and other non-conductive inks, as well as silver/silver chloride inks. Henkel’s Loctite ECI 7007 carbon-based ink exemplifies its commitment to supporting the digitalisation of the living and hygiene sectors. Designed for high-speed production, this highly adaptable ink meets the stringent processing requirements of FMCGs. 

Its unique properties enable it to be applied on ultra-thin substrates, serving as a conductive component in moisture sensors for smart hygiene solutions. This printed-electronics solution efficiently detects moisture and alerts caregivers. This product showcases the transformative potential of Henkel’s innovations in enhancing everyday living and mobility. 

Henkel has a wide portfolio and four decades of material formulation expertise

These materials enable Henkel´s partners to develop printed electronics applications tailored to the specific properties demanded by customers. Beyond water-detection sensors, the company´s inks are suitable for a wide variety of sensor technologies including self-regulating heating, pressure sensing or printed antennae. 

Henkel’s portfolio and material-formulation expertise, enable the company´s partners to develop printed-electronics applications tailored to the specific properties demanded by industrial customers. For example, in the manufacturing of membrane switches, flexible circuits, force sensors, heating elements and medical biosensors for solutions in healthcare, automotive and consumer electronics. To address the challenging functionalisation of 3D parts, the company has recently developed a new range of inks that can be applied by pad-printing technology.

Henkel Adhesive Technologies holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer business. The company is a global leader in the adhesives, sealants and functional coatings markets. As such, it has developed a large material portfolio of Loctite conductive inks and coatings. These are suitable for printing electronic circuitry, that is thin, lightweight and flexible. The Loctite printed-electronics portfolio offers more than 100 different material solutions. More than 20 of these are silver inks. The highly conductive silver ink offers numerous advantages, including the ability to support high power and current density, enhance efficiency and contribute to sustainability by requiring less material for its application. 

Driven by the mega trend for digitalisation, printed electronics offer a complementary solution to traditional electronic circuitry. In turn, these open new opportunities for electronics integration and miniaturisation. To achieve surface integrability – with limited visibility to the human eye – the printing of fine line structures has become increasingly important. To achieve high-performing, fine-line printed circuitry, conductive inks need to have fine silver particles and adapted viscosity, such as Loctite ECI 1006.

Henkel Printed Electronics, under Henkel Adhesive Technologies, has many years of experience in providing top-tier materials for the printed-electronics market. Henkel silver inks are known to be exceptionally reliable, easy to use and require only simple handling. At the same time, these silver inks offer upper-level performance in terms of conductivity and printability.

Highly conductive silver inks are of high interest, for example, in the heater application, where high power and high-current density are requested. Moreover, in a world with increasing connectivity, highly conductive silver inks contribute to the efficiency of antennae. In addition, using a remarkably high conductive ink, enables less material to be used to achieve a desirable conductivity level. This allows printed-electronics technology to move forward, as well as lead to a more sustainable process and a circular economy.

Using its expertise, Henkel has developed a new generation of highly conductive inks. Included are superior conductive silver inks and silver alternatives. They are screen printable, user friendly and do not require special handling/curing methods. This allows for fast, industrial, scale-up manufacturing. The inks meet the highest reliability industry standards with no resistance increase and excellent adhesion after accelerated ageing.

LOPEC 2025 will take place from 26–27 February in Munich, Germany. The event is the foremost global platform for printed electronics and serves as a hub connecting key players, from research to practical applications. Stijn Gillissen, Henkel’s Head of Printed Electronics, highlighted that this year’s LOPEC provides an opportunity to present the company’s expertise through a range of material innovations. Particular emphasis will be on the company’s new sustainability initiative. This includes recycled silver and highly conductive silver inks, as well as printed electronic solutions enabling debonding of adhesives. 

Additionally, Henkel plans to display its extensive partnership network across various industrial sectors. The company wishes to underscore the belief that strong collaborations are essential to driving future innovations. Henkel will highlight its innovation portfolio for end-use, printed-electronics applications at LOPEC 2025.

Furthermore, Henkel Printed Electronics is set to unveil its inaugural sustainability concept at LOPEC. The concept highlights a groundbreaking commitment to eco-conscious innovation within the field. This initiative will feature an array of thoughtfully designed demonstration pieces and meticulously curated proof points. These will highlight the practical application of sustainable principles in printed electronics. By integrating environmental responsibility with innovative technology, Henkel aims to set a new benchmark for sustainable practices. The company will offer tangible examples of how innovation can drive a more sustainable future in the industry. This launch represents a significant milestone in Henkel’s path towards advancing environmentally friendly solutions and fostering a more sustainable ecosystem.

The company´s inks are suitable for a wide variety of sensor technologies

In addition, Henkel will display its functional material innovations for printed-electronics solutions for various industry applications. The company will focus on its material formulation expertise in connectivity, mobility and healthcare. These will be underlined by different demo parts and material samples for smart surfaces, smart healthcare and antenna solutions. As well as its material-solution portfolio for printed electronics, Henkel will highlight its development capabilities supported by its broad ecosystem of partners. 

Besides the novel PTC heater solutions, Henkel will highlight its growing material portfolio for smart healthcare and antenna applications. At LOPEC, the company will present wearables, heaters and innovative pad-printable, antenna solutions for the medical industry. 

Henkel is also continuously developing printed electronics solutions for 5G connectivity. Thus, another focus of the LOPEC booth will be on unique rotary screens and high-speed, printing-technology applications of antennae. Henkel experts look forward to discussing market challenges, such as the increasing need for sustainability and to consult on next-generation applications in printed electronics.

With more than 40 years’ expertise in printed electronics, Henkel Adhesives Technology has a large range of inks. The variety of inks is linked to the impressive collection of end applications that the company works on. The wide variety of applications in printed electronics, has driven Henkel Adhesives Technology to produce a wide-ranging portfolio of different inks. To ensure optimum printing, the Henkel Printed Electronics team can help to choose the right ink for application requirements and introduce companies to its trusted industry partners. Henkel’s printed electronics experts will be at booth 607 or can be contacted at printed.electronics@henkel.com.