Henkel and Sonderhoff Innovate Sustainable Sealing Systems for Long-Lasting Repairs

The good resetting ability of Sonderhoff Fermapor K31 foam gaskets ensures that PV inverter housings can be repeatedly opened and closed again for maintenance purposes.

(IN BRIEF) Henkel’s sealing solutions, powered by Sonderhoff’s FIPFG technology, are setting new benchmarks for repairability and sustainability in high-quality products. Household appliances, which must adhere to stringent performance and safety standards, now benefit from foam seals that can be repeatedly opened and reclosed without compromising their integrity. These advanced polyurethane and silicone foam seals feature a mixed-cell structure that recovers nearly 95% of its original height, ensuring durability over multiple uses. The system not only supports easy maintenance—exemplified by dishwasher dirt traps and photovoltaic inverter housings—but also promotes environmental sustainability by using less material, reducing CO₂ emissions, and enabling water recycling in the cleaning process. The use of dynamic 2K reaction technology and digital monitoring further enhances process efficiency, minimizes waste, and optimizes maintenance schedules, marking a significant stride toward eco-friendly, sustainable production practices.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 26-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel’s sealing solutions are redefining repair possibilities with the help of Sonderhoff’s FIPFG technology. High-quality products inherently offer superior durability and sustainability by conserving resources and reducing waste—a principle increasingly reinforced by new legislative measures.

Take household appliances, for instance. These products are required to meet a multitude of performance and safety standards to ensure user satisfaction, and their foam seals must be engineered to perform reliably under various conditions. They need to be waterproof upon installation, resistant to a wide range of temperatures, and impervious to the long-term effects of detergents and cleaning chemicals. In the event of damage during everyday use, these appliances should be designed for easy repair.

Sonderhoff’s innovative polyurethane and silicone foam seals from Henkel’s extensive portfolio are engineered to ensure that enclosures remain impervious to moisture and environmental influences while being capable of being opened and reclosed for maintenance and repair without causing any harm. The unique mixed-cell structure of the polyurethane seal is designed to regain approximately 95% of its original height after the enclosure is opened, ensuring the seal remains reusable and maintains its effectiveness over many cycles of opening and resealing.

With the new Sonderhoff rinsing water recycling system the rinse/process water is purified in a multi-stage filtration process.

For example, consider the dirt traps in dishwashers that must be cleaned regularly. Despite frequent removal and reinstallation, the sealing performance of the Sonderhoff Fermapor K31 foam seal remains consistent over prolonged use due to its excellent recovery characteristics. Similarly, in photovoltaic inverter housings, the design allows for repeated opening and resealing, thereby ensuring that the electronics inside are readily accessible for routine maintenance—this not only prolongs their operational life but also enhances overall system sustainability.

Moreover, foam seals contribute to sustainability by utilizing a lower density design, which requires less material than conventional compact seals. This reduction in material usage leads to a more favorable CO₂ balance and reduces the weight of the sealed components. The Sonderhoff FIPFG (Formed-In-Place Foam Gasket) process further optimizes material usage by applying only the necessary amount of sealing material, eliminating the waste typical of traditional foam gasket production. Additionally, the two-component foam seals cure at ambient temperature, thereby avoiding the energy and capital expenses associated with tempering ovens.

The efficiency is further enhanced by the 2K reaction technology used in these systems, where the material components are dynamically and homogeneously mixed in the mixing head. Unlike static mixers, which require regular replacement and contribute to material waste, the continuously operating Sonderhoff mixing head is maintained through an eco-friendly high-pressure water cleaning process. This method replaces solvent-based cleaning—typically reliant on non-biodegradable petroleum derivatives—with water that can be recycled, thus integrating seamlessly into the natural cycle.

Furthermore, the newly implemented Sonderhoff rinsing water recycling system allows the same tap water to be reused multiple times after undergoing a multi-stage filtration process, significantly lowering the demand for fresh water. The drive toward digitalization within Sonderhoff systems also underscores the commitment to sustainability, as it enables process optimization to minimize downtime and improve production efficiency. Integrated measuring sensors in the mixing heads not only enhance the quality of the foam seal but also provide predictive monitoring of wear parts and facilitate better scheduling of maintenance activities. In addition, increased online support for system servicing reduces the need for travel by technicians, thereby decreasing CO₂ emissions.

By leveraging the Sonderhoff system solution from Henkel, manufacturers benefit from a comprehensive suite of eco-friendly production advantages. The system meticulously tracks all consumption metrics and translates these values into CO₂ emissions, offering full transparency and contributing to environmentally sustainable production practices.

Media contact:

Sebastian Hinz
Adhesive Technologies
Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-8594
press@henkel.com

SOURCE: HENKEL