In a major step toward sustainable transportation, Henkel Adhesive Technologies has partnered with a logistics firm and an electric vehicle conversion solutions provider to roll out India’s first mid-haul re-powered electric truck operation for commercial use. Two important freight corridors in India have now been fully electrified, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of rail transport. The Chennai to Pune route, covering a distance of 1,321 kilometers, has been successfully electrified, enabling smoother and faster movement of goods across the southern and western regions of the country.
Similarly, the Pune to Halol corridor, spanning 713 kilometers, is now fully electrified. This development supports the shift towards cleaner logistics and reduces dependence on diesel locomotives, aligning with India’s broader goals for greener transportation infrastructure.
The newly re-powered electric trucks feature a fully electric powertrain and can travel up to 250 km on a single charge while carrying loads of up to 8 tons. A single round trip on the Chennai–Pune route results in an estimated reduction of 1,212 kg of greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating the significant potential for environmental savings in the logistics sector.
This pilot initiative supports Henkel’s broader environmental goals. The company is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2045, targeting a 90% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and a similar reduction across scope 3 emissions.
Henkel aims to achieve this by focusing on product design with lower environmental impact, sourcing low-emission materials, strengthening collaboration with suppliers, and improving carbon efficiency in transportation. The transition to electric trucks is seen as a strategic move to cut logistics-related emissions and promote cleaner, more responsible freight operations across India.
Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, supporting over 800 industrial segments and 100,000+ customers worldwide Operating in India since 1996, the business unit has rapidly grown, now running five manufacturing sites—including the LEED Gold–certified Kurkumbh facility near Pune—and innovation centers, application labs, and academies across the country.
In mid-2024, Henkel completed Phase III of its Kurkumbh plant with a new Loctite production line, equipped with automation like ASRS and Industry 4.0 systems, aiming for carbon neutral operations by 2030. Most recently, in February 2025, they expanded by launching a 17,000 sq ft Application Engineering Center in Chennai alongside another electronics-focused manufacturing unit at Kurkumbh—both tailored to support India’s booming electronics market under the Make in India and PLI initiatives. From automotive and packaging to electronics and general manufacturing, Henkel India continues to drive industrial innovation, enhance local production capacity, and deliver sustainable high-performance solutions.
