Henkel Consumer Brands
Open Innovation Challenge
Revolutionize laundry care with us! Receive €5,000 participation award, present your innovative ideas to Henkel's decision-makers at their
US Headquarters in Stamford, CT and explore exciting collaboration
and funding opportunities!
Open Innovation at Henkel Consumer Brands
Henkel Consumer Brands is well known for its innovative laundry, cleaning, and hair product lines. Our aim is to offer our customers and consumers the best possible quality and offer them the most innovative solutions. To achieve this, we work with partners worldwide. We look for creative ideas for new products, materials, and solutions to meet existing challenges.
Be a part of our success story and put your expertise to use. Find out more here .
Join us in redefining laundry care for a sustainable future!
At Henkel, we've long been experts in textile care, bringing innovation to every wash—not just to clean, but to keep your clothes looking like new, wash after wash. We're passionate about preserving the beauty and longevity of your favorite garments. That's why, for years, we've dedicated ourselves to creating products that go beyond removing dirt; they deliver advanced, complete textile care. But we're not stopping here! Our mission is bigger: to lead the way toward a sustainable future in laundry care.
From production practices that prioritize sustainability to recyclable packaging, we're committed to making a positive impact on our planet. Our vision is clear: to promote slow fashion, reduce textile waste, and champion sustainable choices in everyday laundry care. If you're inspired to help shape the future of laundry care, we invite you to bring your best ideas to the table. Join us in reimagining sustainable solutions for a cleaner, greener world!
Seeking: Innovative and sustainable detergent solutions for long-lasting textiles
We are looking for innovative sustainable technologies and new partnerships in the field of fiber care/textile care. Especially, innovative fabric care solutions for laundry products that protect textiles/fibers during washing, extending life cycle and enhancing longevity.
New breakthrough solutions that maintain the appearance of new textiles for longer and give older textiles a renewed effect only after some washing cycles.
Must haves
- In-wash applications
- Compatibility with common detergent ingredients
- Feasible cost in-use
- No negative impact on detergent ingredients e.g. fragrances, enzymes, builders, polymers, surfactants etc.
Nice to haves
- Environmental: Ecological & toxicological data as per OECD/EU test guidelines & Biodegradability data according to OECD test guidelines
Other requirements
- TRL: 3-7
- Legal: Freedom to operate
Discarded solutions
- Solutions that are not biodegradable
- Solutions that are not consumer-friendly
- Solutions that are compatible with detergent ingredients
Previously attempted solutions
- Common solutions, on cotton fabrics are well-known such as the use of cellulase enzymes, primarily work to remove fuzz and reduce pilling and friction between fibers on cotton fabrics. However, this process does involve some degradation of the cotton fibers, which can counteract the goal of preventing fiber breakage. Moreover, cellulase enzymes are not effective on other consumer-relevant textiles like synthetics, and fine fibers such as silk and wool.
Incentives
Submit your proposal/s for an opportunity of working together with Henkel
€5,000 Participation award
Finalists will receive a €5,000 participation award for presenting their ideas at the event at Henkel's US Headquarters.
Funding and Investment Opportunities
Access investment, funding, and collaboration opportunities based on your technology's stage, evaluated at Henkel’s discretion
Pitching event for semi finalists
Semi-finalists will have the exclusive opportunity to pitch their ideas at Henkel's U.S. Headquarters in Stamford, engaging directly with top managers and decision-makers. This face-to-face event allows you to present your ideas and move a step closer to a potential collaboration with Henkel.
- Stamford (US)
5th of February
Timelines
Your journey starts here
January 13th
Deadline for submission
January
Evaluation of solutions
End of January
Semi finalists for pitch day will be selected and notified
February 5th
Semi finalists will be presenting their ideas in the live event in the US Headquarters
Frequently asked questions
Henkel is a global company known for its well-known brands and innovative solutions . For more information please visit https://www.henkel.com/our-businesses/henkel-consumer-brands
Henkel collaborates with external partners in several flexible ways, tailored to the project's needs and level of technological readiness. For more information please visit: https://www.henkel.com/our-businesses/henkel-consumer-brands/open-innovation-and-venturing
All partners within the open innovation community, start up, research centers, universities, individual research and development leaders, and companies of all sizes are invited to submit proposals
The submission process will open on https://henkelconsumerbrandsoichallenge.com/ . Click on the “Submit proposal” on the website or follow the link https://henkelconsumerbrandsoichallenge.com/submit-proposal and follow the steps to have your proposal submitted to Henkel.
Participants can submit more than one proposal.
Yes, both teams and individuals can participate. They will be evaluated in the same way, since what is important for us is the idea/proposal.
Once your proposal is submitted, further edits cannot be made. Therefore, please ensure you thoroughly review and revise your proposal before submitting it.
Throughout December and January, Henkel will be evaluating the proposals and may reach out to select submitters if additional information is needed. By the middle of January 2025, semi -finalists will be selected and notified that they will have a Pitching opportunity at Henkel's U.S. Headquarters in Stamford and engage in face-to-face interactions with Henkel's top managers, showcasing ideas directly to key decision-makers. Henkel may alter the dates at their discretion. Any changes will be communicated to participants.
The judges for the Open Innovation Challenge are technical experts in the field from Henkel, along with members of the Open Innovation team.
By the middle of January 2025, five semi -finalists will be selected and notified that they will have a Pitching opportunity at Henkel's U.S. Headquarters in Stamford and engage in face-to-face interactions with Henkel's top managers, showcasing ideas directly to key decision-makers. Henkel may alter the dates at their discretion. Any changes will be communicated to participants.
The proposed solution can be at any Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from TRL 3 to TRL 7. This means solutions at different stages of development are acceptable, including:
- TRL 3: Experimental proof of concept
- TRL 4: Validation in laboratory conditions
- TRL 5: Validation in a relevant environment
- TRL 6: Demonstration in a relevant environment
- TRL 7: Regulatory approval
We welcome solutions ranging from early-stage experimental concepts to those already approaching regulatory readiness, allowing flexibility for projects at varying levels of maturity.