Henkel and Ontex Expand Smart Incontinence Solution Orizon Across Europe to Improve Efficiency and Patient Comfort in Care Facilities

More time for what truly matters: Orizon helps caregivers focus on high quality, personal care while reducing routine checks and nighttime disruptions.

(IN BRIEF) Henkel and Ontex have joined forces to expand the rollout of Orizon, a smart incontinence solution designed for long-term care facilities across Europe. By combining Ontex’s product expertise with Henkel’s printed electronics technology, the solution enables real-time monitoring of moisture levels, allowing caregivers to optimize when incontinence products are changed. This reduces unnecessary interventions, minimizes waste, and significantly improves operational efficiency, saving care facilities an average of eight working hours per resident each month while cutting product usage by up to 20 percent. The technology also enhances resident comfort by reducing nighttime disturbances and preserving dignity. Through data-driven insights and remote monitoring capabilities, Orizon supports caregivers in delivering higher-quality care while streamlining daily workflows.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 18-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel has partnered with Ontex to accelerate the European rollout of Orizon, a smart incontinence solution designed to enhance efficiency and comfort in long-term care environments. The collaboration brings together Ontex’s expertise in hygiene product manufacturing and Henkel’s advanced capabilities in printed electronics, with a shared ambition to ease caregiver workloads while improving the standard of care for residents in facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals.

Developed by Ontex in close cooperation with professional caregivers, Orizon addresses everyday challenges in long-term care by automatically detecting moisture levels in incontinence products. Through an intuitive mobile and web-based interface, caregivers receive real-time updates indicating the optimal moment for a product change. This eliminates the need for frequent manual checks, reduces nighttime disruptions, and minimizes reliance on routine-based decision-making, replacing it with data-driven insights that improve efficiency and care quality.

The solution delivers measurable operational benefits. Care facilities can save an average of approximately eight working hours per resident each month, allowing staff to dedicate more time to personalized and attentive care. At the same time, incontinence product usage can be reduced by up to 20 percent, as changes are performed based on actual need rather than fixed schedules. This not only lowers costs but also significantly reduces waste. By preventing both premature and delayed changes, Orizon helps avoid issues such as leakages, which often require time-intensive interventions including cleaning, changing bedding, and managing resident discomfort.

Smart by design: the Orizon incontinence product uses Henkel’s printed electronics to deliver precise, real time insights for professional caregivers. (Photo: Ontex)

Beyond operational improvements, the solution contributes to a better quality of life for residents. Reduced nighttime disturbances help maintain rest and dignity, while fewer unnecessary interventions create a calmer and more respectful care environment. The technology enables caregivers to monitor residents remotely, limiting the need for frequent room entries while still maintaining full visibility over care needs.

At the core of Orizon is a sensor system powered by Henkel’s conductive, graphite-based, and skin-friendly ink, printed directly onto the exterior of the incontinence product. A reusable clip-on wearable connects to the sensor to detect both moisture levels and the wearer’s position. These data points are securely transmitted to a digital platform, allowing caregivers to access real-time information and make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

Ulrich Wagner, Business Development Manager for Digital Hygiene at Henkel, highlighted that Orizon is designed to support rather than replace caregivers, enabling them to allocate their time where it matters most. Laurent Nielly, CEO of Ontex, emphasized the importance of combining expertise in hygiene products with advanced technological implementation to scale the solution across Europe, underscoring both companies’ shared commitment to safety, quality, and preserving the dignity of patients.

About Ontex
Ontex is a leading international developer and producer of baby care, feminine care and adult care products, both for retailers and healthcare, primarily in Europe and North America. The group employs around 5,100 people, with plants and offices in 11 countries, and its innovative products are distributed in around 100 countries. Ontex is headquartered in Aalst, Belgium and is listed on Euronext Brussel. To keep up with the latest news, visit ontex.com or follow Ontex on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA