Henkel’s business segment for Digital Hygiene Solutions and Ontex agreed to jointly drive the European rollout of the smart incontinence solution Orizon. This innovation significantly eases the daily workload in long-term care settings and provides residents of healthcare institutions like nursing homes and hospitals with greater comfort.

 

The partners combine their respective strengths: Ontex as an experienced manufacturer of hygiene products, and Henkel with its long-standing expertise in printed electronics and successful global implementations. Together, both companies pursue a common goal: to relieve professional caregivers and create more time for high-quality care.

 

Orizon was developed by Ontex specifically for the needs of long-term care in close collaboration with caregivers. The solution automatically detects moisture in the incontinence product and displays the optimal time for a change via an intuitive app. Tasks that currently require routine checks, nighttime rounds, and extensive experience are substantially simplified: caregivers receive a clear overview of when a change is truly necessary — and when it is not. This reduces unnecessary interruptions and provides noticeably more peace and security for everyone involved. Additionally, the reduction in changes has a positive impact on cost and waste reduction.

 

The effects on day-to-day operations are clearly measurable: care facilities can save an average of around eight working hours per resident per month — time that directly benefits quality of care. At the same time, material consumption can be reduced by up to 20 percent because incontinence products are changed based on actual need. Changing too early leads to unnecessary waste, while changing too late can result in leakages that require significant additional effort: changing clothes, washing, cleaning, and replacing bedding all take at least 30 minutes of work — and add stress for residents. Orizon helps reduce such situations significantly. Residents are woken less frequently at night, preventing unnecessary disturbances and protecting their dignity.

 

The technology is based on a conductive, graphite-based, and skin-friendly ink developed by Henkel, which is printed on the exterior of the incontinence product as part of the sensor system. A reusable clip-on wearable is connected to this sensor element to detect moisture and the wearer’s position. These data are securely transmitted to an app or web interface. Caregivers can check the status of residents at any time — without having to enter each room.

 

“Orizon gives caregivers a measure of relief and at the same time improves the care situation for residents,” says Ulrich Wagner, Business Development Manager Digital Hygiene at Henkel. “It’s a technology that doesn’t replace but supports — helping to use valuable time exactly where it’s needed most.”

 

Laurent Nielly, CEO at Ontex, adds: “As a leading provider of hygiene solutions, we know how essential reliable and practical tools are for professional caregivers. By combining our expertise as a leader in Adult Incontinence products with Henkel’s proven implementation experience, we can scale this solution across Europe. We share many values and aspirations with the Henkel team and we both have a deep commitment to quality and safety for our customers and dignity and comfort for their patients.” 

 

 

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