Henkel
German multinational company whose businesses span adhesive technologies, laundry and home care, and hair and beauty products.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is a German multinational company headquartered in Düsseldorf. Established in 1876 by Friedrich Karl Henkel and two partners, the business initially produced sodium-silicate-based cleaning products. Its early success came from branded washing and bleaching products, including Henkel’s Bleich-Soda, followed by the launch of Persil in 1907, widely recognized as the first self-acting laundry detergent. Over time, Henkel expanded beyond household cleaning into industrial chemicals, adhesives, cosmetics, hair care and professional beauty products. Henkel’s modern activities are organized primarily into Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands. Adhesive Technologies supplies adhesives, sealants, functional coatings and related technologies to industrial customers in sectors such as automotive, electronics, packaging, construction, aerospace and general manufacturing. Important brands and technology platforms include Loctite, Technomelt, Teroson, Pritt and Bonderite. Consumer Brands combines laundry and home-care products with hair and beauty products. Its portfolio has included Persil, Purex, Dial, Pril, Bref, Fa, Schauma, Schwarzkopf, Taft, Gliss and professional hair brands such as Joico and Zotos, although brand availability differs by country. The company’s growth has combined internal innovation with acquisitions. It entered the United States through Standard Chemical Products in 1960, expanded its adhesives business through Sichel-Werke, Teroson and Loctite, and strengthened cosmetics and hair care through the acquisition of Schwarzkopf in 1995. The Dial Corporation, acquired in 2004, provided a major North American consumer-products platform. National Starch’s adhesives and electronic-materials businesses were acquired in 2008, while the purchases of Spotless and Sun Products reinforced Henkel’s laundry and home-care position in Europe and North America. Later transactions broadened professional hair care and packaging adhesives, including Nattura Laboratorios, Darex Packaging Technologies, Sonderhoff and Shiseido’s North American professional hair-care business. Henkel has also developed a substantial sustainability program. It issued an environment report in 1992, joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2003, became a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil in 2008 and helped establish the Together for Sustainability initiative in 2012. Its strategy has focused on reducing energy, water and waste intensity while improving safety, resource efficiency and social performance. In 2022 Henkel announced the divestment of its Russian activities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, completing the transaction in 2023. The company continues to operate internationally under a dual heritage: a consumer-brand portfolio familiar in households and a technically specialized industrial business serving manufacturers. In 2025, according to the referenced Wikipedia material, Henkel reported approximately €20.5 billion in sales, operating profit of €2.816 billion and about 47,200 employees; these figures are retained only with their stated fiscal-year context.
History
Henkel began in 1876 in Aachen as Henkel & Cie, founded by Friedrich Karl Henkel and two partners who operated a sodium-silicate factory. Its first marketed product was a universal detergent based on sodium silicate. In 1878 Henkel bought out the partners and introduced Henkel’s Bleich-Soda, an early branded German detergent. The company moved to Düsseldorf in 1879 to benefit from railway connections, industrial customers and access to the Ruhr region. During the 1880s Henkel broadened its merchandise range and began developing international sales. Austria became its first foreign sales market, followed by commercial links with Britain and Italy. The company’s consumer-brand history changed decisively in 1907 with Persil, a self-acting laundry detergent that combined cleaning and bleaching functions. Schwarzkopf, later acquired by Henkel, introduced powder shampoo in 1903 and Schauma shampoo in 1949. Fa soap followed in 1954, becoming a broader deodorant, shower and bath brand from the 1970s. Henkel’s adhesives business originated partly from supply problems during the French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr in 1923. When outside adhesive deliveries became unreliable, the company began manufacturing adhesives for internal packaging needs. It soon found external demand and shipped its first adhesive products in June 1923. This activity developed into a major industrial business and was expanded through acquisitions including Sichel-Werke, Teroson, Loctite and National Starch. The company’s history also includes its conduct during the Nazi period. Hugo Henkel joined the Nazi Party and served on the Düsseldorf city council. Werner Lüps, who later led the company, was a committed supporter of National Socialism. During the Second World War, several hundred foreign civilian forced laborers and prisoners of war worked for the company. After the war, the Düsseldorf site was occupied by Allied forces, and members of the Henkel family and company governing bodies were interned during the denazification period. Postwar growth was driven by branded household and beauty products, internationalization and acquisitions. Henkel entered the United States in 1960, launched Pritt in 1969 as the world’s first glue stick, acquired Schwarzkopf in 1995 and bought Loctite in 1997. The Dial acquisition in 2004 established a substantial North American consumer-products presence. National Starch’s adhesives and electronic-materials businesses followed in 2008. In the 2010s Henkel acquired Spotless, Sun Products, Darex, Sonderhoff, Nattura Laboratorios, DevaCurl and selected professional hair-care assets from Shiseido. The company changed its legal form to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA in 2008. Leadership passed from Ulrich Lehner to Kasper Rorsted, then to Hans Van Bylen and, from 2020, Carsten Knobel. Henkel has continued to invest in adhesive technologies, consumer-brand integration, innovation and sustainability. It established environmental reporting in 1992, joined the UN Global Compact in 2003 and helped create the Together for Sustainability supply-chain initiative in 2012. The sale of its Russian operations in 2023 marked a major geopolitical and portfolio decision, while the announced Olaplex acquisition in 2026 points toward further expansion in prestige hair care.
- 2023
Russian business divestment completed
[1]Henkel completes the sale of its Russian activities after announcing its withdrawal in 2022.
- 2020
Carsten Knobel becomes CEO
[1]Carsten Knobel succeeds Hans Van Bylen as chief executive.
- 2017
Expansion in adhesives and professional hair care
[1]Henkel acquires Darex, Sonderhoff and Nattura Laboratorios and adds Shiseido’s North American professional hair-care business.
- 2016
Sun Products acquired
[1]Henkel acquires Sun Products, strengthening its North American laundry and home-care business.
- 2015
Spotless transaction completed
[1]Henkel completes its acquisition of French laundry-aids and shoe-polish producer Spotless.
- 2008
National Starch businesses acquired
[1]Henkel acquires National Starch’s adhesives and electronic-materials businesses and changes its legal form to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.
- 2004
Dial becomes Henkel’s largest acquisition at the time
[1]The Dial Corporation gives Henkel a major North American platform in personal care and household cleaning.
- 1997
Loctite acquired
[1]The acquisition of Loctite expands Henkel’s position in engineering adhesives and sealants.
- 1995
Schwarzkopf acquired
[1]Henkel acquires Hans Schwarzkopf GmbH and strengthens its cosmetics and hair-care portfolio.
- 1969
Pritt glue stick launches
[1]Henkel introduces Pritt, described in the reference material as the first glue stick, and begins exporting it the same year.
Products and positioning
A global science- and technology-led company combining industrial adhesive solutions with large consumer brands in laundry, home care and hair and beauty.
Industrial adhesives and sealants · 1997
Loctite
Loctite is Henkel’s globally recognized engineering-adhesives brand. Its portfolio includes threadlockers, instant adhesives, structural bonding systems, gasketing products and repair solutions used in manufacturing, maintenance and assembly. The brand serves both professional users and industrial customers, with products designed for applications including vibration resistance, gap filling, thermal performance and durable joining of metals, plastics and other substrates.
Laundry detergent · 1907
Persil
Persil is Henkel’s flagship laundry-care brand and one of the company’s oldest consumer franchises. Introduced in 1907, it has developed from a powdered detergent into a range that may include liquids, capsules, powders, stain removers and specialized formulas. Availability, formulation and brand ownership arrangements vary by market.
Office and craft adhesives · 1969
Pritt
Pritt is an office, school and craft-adhesives brand best known for its solid glue stick. Introduced in 1969, it helped establish a convenient, low-mess format for paper and lightweight craft applications. The range has expanded in some markets to include liquid glues and related stationery products.
Hair care and beauty · 1995
Schwarzkopf
Schwarzkopf is Henkel’s principal hair and beauty brand platform. Its portfolio has included shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products and hair-color products sold through consumer, retail and professional channels. The business incorporates multiple sub-brands and country-specific ranges, including Schauma, Gliss and professional offerings.
Personal care · 2004
Dial
Dial is a North American personal-care brand acquired by Henkel through The Dial Corporation in 2004. It has been associated with bar soaps, liquid hand soaps, body washes and other hygiene products. Its acquisition provided Henkel with an established consumer distribution network in the United States.
Packaging adhesives
Technomelt
Technomelt is an industrial adhesive platform used in packaging, product assembly and other manufacturing applications. Products include hot-melt and related bonding technologies designed for production-line efficiency, adhesion performance and compatibility with different substrates and equipment.
Controversies
2022
Withdrawal from Russia
Henkel’s decision to leave Russia followed the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war. The company had operated there for more than three decades and employed up to 2,500 people across production and other sites, according to the referenced material.
1933
Henkel’s conduct during the Nazi period
Company leaders Hugo Henkel and Werner Lüps were connected to the Nazi regime, and the company received regime recognition. During the Second World War, several hundred foreign civilian forced laborers and prisoners of war worked for Henkel. These facts form a significant part of the company’s historical record.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Henkel Ventures
Global
Henkel created a dedicated corporate-venture unit to invest in startups with digital and technological expertise, with the referenced material describing an intended investment capacity of up to €150 million.
Outcome. Formalized startup and technology scouting as part of Henkel’s innovation approach.
- 2012Sustainability Strategy 2030
Global
Henkel presented a sustainability framework focused on creating more value while reducing its environmental footprint, with priorities including social progress, safety, energy, climate, materials, waste and water.
Outcome. Provided a long-term framework for operational efficiency and sustainability reporting.
Brand decisions
2026
Agree to acquire OlaplexM&ABackground
Henkel identified premium, science-led hair care as an area for portfolio expansion.
Action taken
Henkel announced a definitive agreement to acquire Olaplex for $1.4 billion.
Aftermath
The announced transaction would expand Henkel’s position in prestige hair care; completion and final effects are not established in the supplied material.
Announced acquisition price. $1.4 billion (2026 announcement)
2022
Exit RussiaStrategyBackground
The escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war created geopolitical, legal and reputational risks for Henkel’s Russian operations.
Action taken
Henkel announced the divestment of its Russian business and completed the transaction in 2023.
Aftermath
Henkel ended its direct operating presence in Russia after more than 30 years.
2016
Acquire Sun ProductsM&ABackground
Henkel sought greater scale in the North American laundry-care market.
Action taken
Henkel acquired Sun Products for approximately $3.6 billion, according to the referenced material.
Aftermath
The company became the second-largest supplier in North American laundry care, as described in the reference material.
Acquisition price. $3.6 billion (2016 announcement)
2008
Acquire National Starch adhesives and electronic materialsM&ABackground
Henkel aimed to broaden its industrial adhesive technologies and electronic-materials activities.
Action taken
Henkel acquired the relevant National Starch businesses from AkzoNobel.
Aftermath
The acquisition materially expanded Henkel’s industrial technology portfolio.
2004
Acquire The Dial CorporationM&ABackground
Henkel needed a stronger position in the North American household-cleaning and personal-care markets.
Action taken
Henkel acquired Dial, described in the reference material as its largest acquisition at that time.
Aftermath
The deal expanded Henkel’s US consumer-products platform and distribution reach.
1997
Acquire LoctiteM&ABackground
Henkel sought to strengthen its position in high-performance industrial adhesives and engineering materials.
Action taken
Henkel purchased Loctite Corporation.
Aftermath
Loctite became one of Henkel’s best-known global industrial brands.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Henkel launches five next-generation medical device adhesives[6]
Henkel announced the launch of five next-generation light cure medical device adhesives: Loctite AA 3914, AA 3915, AA 3917, AA 3937 and AA 3964.
Henkel reports third-quarter 2026 sales[7]
Reported:
Henkel reported strong third-quarter 2026 sales growth, with group sales of €5.7 billion, up 11.0% nominally and 6.5% organically, based on preliminary data.
Henkel updates FY26 sales outlook[7]
Reported:
Based on preliminary third-quarter results, Henkel updated its 2026 guidance, expecting organic group sales growth of 3.0–4.0% and an adjusted return on sales of approximately 15%.
- Unconfirmed
Henkel launches Loctite ABLESTIK CDF 900 series[8]
Henkel Adhesive Technologies launched the Loctite ABLESTIK CDF 900 conductive die attach film series, designed for semiconductor applications including AI, 5G, emerging 6G telecommunications, and high-performance computing.
- Unconfirmed
Henkel completes acquisition of specialty coatings company Stahl[9]
Reported:
Henkel announced that it has successfully closed its acquisition of specialty coatings company Stahl.
Henkel launches Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900 conductive die attach film series[10]
Reported:
Henkel Adhesive Technologies announced the launch of its next-generation Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900 conductive die attach film (cDAF) series at SEMICON Taiwan 2026, with thermal conductivity exceeding 8 W/m-K, targeting AI, 5G/6G and HPC semiconductor packaging applications.
Harima to acquire Henkel's tin solder business[11]
Reported:
Harima Chemicals Group announced that it would acquire Henkel AG's solder business. The article says the acquisition is part of Harima's global expansion plan and would increase its revenue in this area and expand its customer base.
Citi and Henkel launch sustainability-linked supplier financing in Algeria[12]
Reported:
Citi launched its first MENA sustainability-linked supply chain finance program in Algeria, implemented for Henkel and initially available to suppliers in Algeria.
Henkel announces Wolfgang König appointment to Beauty Care role[13]
Reported:
Henkel announced that Wolfgang König will join its Management Board as Executive Vice President for the Beauty Care business effective June 1, 2021, succeeding Jens-Martin Schwärzler.
Henkel begins converting hair-colour portfolios to recycled-aluminium tubes[14]
Reported:
Henkel's Beauty Care business began converting its hair-colour portfolio to tubes made entirely from recycled aluminium; Diadem was among the first brands included.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources19 sources
- 1Henkelen.wikipedia.org
- 2Henkel corporate websitehenkel.com
- 3Henkel managementhenkel.com
- 4Henkel sustainabilityhenkel.com
- 5Henkel press releaseshenkel.com
- 6汉高推出五款新一代医疗器械胶粘剂webwire.com
- 7汉高公布2026年第三季度销售额esmmagazine.com
- 8汉高推出 Loctite ABLESTIK CDF 900 系列webwire.com
- 9汉高完成对特种涂料公司Stahl的收购news.google.com
- 10汉高推出Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900导电芯片贴装膜系列digitimes.com
- 11Harima拟收购Henkel锡焊料业务news.metal.com
- 12花旗与汉高在阿尔及利亚推出可持续发展挂钩供应链融资prnewswire.com
- 13Henkel宣布任命Wolfgang König担任美妆护理业务高管premiumbeautynews.com
- 14汉高开始将染发产品组合改用再生铝管premiumbeautynews.com
- 15汉高同意向Polytronics Technology出售TCLAD业务chemengonline.com
- 16Henkel 向拉各斯医护人员捐赠 Nittol 产品channelstv.com
- 17漢高漢高推出 LOCTITE ABLESTIK CDF900 系列導電晶粒接著膜突破 AI 與次世代通訊的散熱瓶頸 | 蕃新聞n.yam.com
- 18漢高推出 LOCTITE ABLESTIK CDF900 系列導電晶粒接著膜 | 蕃新聞n.yam.com
- 19漢高推出 LOCTITE ABLESTIK CDF900 系列導電晶粒接著膜｜中央社財經訊息平台cna.com.tw
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