Henkel China Headquarters: A Smarter and More Sustainable Workplace with EnOcean
June 10, 2026
As organizations continue to redefine the modern workplace, intelligent building technologies play a key role in improving sustainability, operational efficiency and employee wellbeing. At its China headquarters in Shanghai, Henkel partnered on a smart building retrofit project that transformed a conventional office environment into a flexible, energy-efficient and future-ready workplace…
As organizations continue to redefine the modern workplace, intelligent building technologies play a key role in improving sustainability, operational efficiency and employee wellbeing. At its China headquarters in Shanghai, Henkel partnered on a smart building retrofit project that transformed a conventional office environment into a flexible, energy-efficient and future-ready workplace powered by EnOcean wireless and battery-free technology.
The Challenge
Henkel’s office building was operating with conventional lighting controls and limited automation capabilities. Lighting, shading and HVAC systems were managed separately, with no centralized smart control or remote visibility into building performance. As a result, lighting often remained active in unoccupied areas. Daylight was not utilized effectively and facility management lacked the flexibility needed for a modern workplace.
At the same time, traditional retrofit approaches involving extensive cabling and structural work would have caused significant disruption, increased costs and reduced flexibility for future office changes. Henkel needed a solution that could modernize the workplace quickly and efficiently while supporting long-term sustainability and operational goals.
The Solution
To meet these requirements, the project implemented an integrated smart building solution combining EnOcean wireless and battery-free technology with intelligent lighting, shading and HVAC control.
Wireless EnOcean switches, sensors and intelligent room control panels were installed throughout the building to enable flexible and maintenance-free operation. Because the devices harvest their own energy, they operate entirely without batteries or additional power supplies.
The new system introduced:
- Intelligent occupancy and daylight-based lighting control
- Smart room and scene management
- Integrated control of lighting, shading and HVAC systems
- Centralized monitoring and management via an open automation platform
- Flexible wireless infrastructure for easy future workspace changes
Minimal installation effort was the key advantage of the solution. The wireless architecture significantly reduced cabling needs and avoided major structural modifications, enabling a faster and cleaner retrofit with minimal disruption to daily operations. The open system design also ensured compatibility with existing building management systems and standard automation protocols, creating a scalable platform for future expansion and integration.
Improved Energy Efficiency
The intelligent automation system now dynamically adjusts lighting and environmental settings according to occupancy and daylight conditions. Unused areas no longer consume unnecessary energy, while daylight harvesting helps optimize lighting levels throughout the office. By combining smart control strategies with energy-harvesting wireless devices, the solution supports Henkel’s sustainability objectives. At the same time , it reduces operational energy consumption and maintenance requirements.
Greater Workplace Comfort
The retrofit created a more comfortable and responsive office environment for employees. Intelligent room controls and automated scene management allow lighting and climate settings to adapt naturally to workspace usage and employee needs. The result is a modern workplace that enhances employee comfort, wellbeing and productivity while supporting flexible working environments.
Flexible and Future-Ready Infrastructure
One of the biggest advantages for Henkel is the flexibility enabled by wireless building automation. Office layouts and workspace configurations can now be adjusted without expensive rewiring or major renovation work. Facility managers also benefit from centralized monitoring and intuitive control interfaces that simplify day-to-day building operations and improve visibility across the entire office environment.
Reduced Maintenance and Retrofit Costs
Because EnOcean devices are battery-free and wireless, ongoing maintenance requirements are significantly reduced compared with conventional wireless systems. The retrofit also minimized installation complexity, cabling and downtime, helping reduce both implementation and lifecycle costs.
A Smarter Workplace for the Future
The Henkel China headquarters project demonstrates how intelligent wireless building automation can modernize existing office environments quickly and sustainably. By combining EnOcean technology with an open and scalable smart building platform, Henkel successfully created a more energy-efficient, flexible and employee-friendly workplace prepared for the future of work.
