For the fiscal year 2025, Henkel reported sales of €20.495 billion and an adjusted operating profit of approximately €3.0 billion. As of the end of 2025, the group employed 47,200 permanent staff. [4]

Foundation

The origins of Henkel date to September 26, 1876, when Fritz Henkel and two business partners founded Henkel & Cie in Aachen, Germany. At the time, Fritz Henkel was 28 years old with interests in both chemistry and commerce. [5]

The firm’s initial offering was a universal detergent based on silicate. Although this first product did not achieve immediate success, the company persisted in developing washing agents. In 1878, it launched Henkel’s Bleich-Soda (“Henkel’s Bleaching Soda”), which became its first significant commercial breakthrough. [6] This product laid the foundation for what would eventually become Henkel’s consumer products division.

Move to Düsseldorf

As operations expanded, Fritz Henkel required larger production facilities. He selected Düsseldorf-Holthausen, where manufacturing commenced on March 9, 1900, with around 80 employees. Düsseldorf subsequently became the company’s permanent base and remains Henkel’s headquarters today. [7]

A pivotal moment in the company’s history occurred in 1907 with the introduction of Persil.

Persil was marketed as a self-acting detergent, a revolutionary concept that significantly reduced the manual labour traditionally required for washing clothes. Henkel describes it as the world’s first self-acting laundry detergent. [8] It evolved into one of Europe’s most recognisable detergent brands and remains a flagship product more than a century later.

Henkel also emerged as an early innovator in marketing. In 1922, the iconic “Lady in White” advertising figure was created for Persil, becoming one of Germany’s best-known advertising symbols. [9] This marked a shift in the company’s approach, as it learned to transform chemical products into established consumer brands rather than merely selling commodities.

The second pillar of Henkel’s modern identity arose from practical necessity. During the early 20th century, concerns over potential adhesive shortages led the company to produce its own glue. From 1923, products such as Mala painter’s glue and Tapa wallpaper paste were sold externally to other businesses. [10]

This internal solution eventually grew into the Adhesive Technologies division. Today, Henkel positions itself as the global market leader in bonding, sealing and coating solutions, serving industrial clients, professionals, tradespeople and consumers. [11] This historical trajectory explains the company’s dual nature as both a consumer goods manufacturer and a major industrial technology supplier.

Throughout the 20th century, Henkel diversified beyond traditional detergents and expanded internationally. Its portfolio gradually broadened to include:

• Laundry detergents
• Household cleaning products
• Personal care products
• Hair care products
• Industrial adhesives
• Construction chemicals
• Surface treatments
• Sealants
• Functional coatings
• Packaging technologies
• Electronics materials
• Automotive technologies

International expansion became increasingly central to the company’s strategy. After establishing its first foreign subsidiaries in the early 20th century, Henkel developed into one of Germany’s most globally oriented corporations. [12] Today, its workforce comprises employees from more than 120 nations. [13]

The most significant organisational restructuring in recent years took place in 2022. Historically, the consumer business operated through separate divisions, primarily Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care. In 2022, Henkel announced the merger of these units into a new entity named Consumer Brands. [14]

The new structure became operational in early 2023. The rationale was to consolidate the consumer portfolio, eliminate redundancies, improve efficiency and allocate greater resources to the strongest brands. Integration was completed at the end of 2025, one year ahead of schedule, with Henkel reporting that its original annual savings target of €525 million had been exceeded. [15]

Henkel currently operates through two globally integrated business units.

Adhesive Technologies

Adhesive Technologies represents the industrial side of Henkel. Rather than consumer-facing products, this division supplies technologies essential to manufacturing and industrial processes. Henkel describes itself as the global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, with technologies utilised across more than 800 industries. [16]

Key application areas include:

Mobility & Electronics

Products are used in automotive manufacturing, electric vehicles, batteries, electronics, semiconductors and industrial equipment. This segment is strategically vital as modern manufacturing increasingly relies on advanced bonding and coating technologies.

Packaging & Consumer Goods

Henkel supplies adhesives and related technologies for food packaging, flexible packaging, labels, consumer products, paper products and packaging machinery.

Craftsmen, Construction & Professional

Products serve the construction, building maintenance, professional trades, repair, installation and industrial maintenance sectors.

Industrial technology brands include Loctite, Technomelt, Bonderite, Teroson and Aquence. [17]

In 2025, Adhesive Technologies generated approximately €10.67 billion in sales, accounting for about 52% of group revenue. [18]

Consumer Brands

The Consumer Brands unit focuses on laundry care, home care, hair care, hair styling, hair colour and other consumer products. Major brands include:

• Persil: Launched in 1907, this remains a leading laundry brand sold in over 50 countries in various formats including liquids, powders, gels and discs. [19]
• Schwarzkopf: A globally prominent hair care brand. Henkel reports that Schwarzkopf products are used by approximately 2.1 million people daily, with around 24 products sold every second. [20]
• Pritt: A leading consumer adhesive brand, particularly known for glue sticks.
• Pattex: A significant brand for both consumer and professional adhesives.
• Ceresit: A major construction and building materials brand with strong presence in Europe and emerging markets.

Henkel typically markets products under individual brand names rather than the corporate name. Consumers may be highly familiar with Persil or Loctite without associating them with the same parent company. This structure differs from corporations that market most products under a single master brand.

Henkel maintains a portfolio of leading brands serving customers across hundreds of industries and millions of households. [21]

Henkel has historically utilised acquisitions to expand its technological capabilities and brand portfolio. Notable recent transactions include:

• Shiseido Professional: In 2022, Henkel acquired Shiseido’s Hair Professional business in Asia-Pacific, adding professional hair care brands and strengthening its position in the Asian professional market. [22]
• Critica Infrastructure: Acquired in 2023 to bolster maintenance, repair and infrastructure capabilities within Adhesive Technologies. [23]
• Seal for Life: In 2024, Henkel acquired Seal for Life Industries, a provider of protective coatings and sealing solutions for infrastructure, including renewable energy, gas and water applications. [24]
• Vidal Sassoon: In 2024, Henkel acquired the Vidal Sassoon hair care brand in China to strengthen its premium hair care positioning. [25]
• ATP Adhesive Systems: Henkel agreed to acquire this Swiss specialist in high-performance water-based specialty tapes for automotive, electronics, medical, construction and graphics applications. [26]
• Not Your Mother’s: In March 2026, Henkel announced the acquisition of this North American hair care and styling brand to expand its hair care portfolio. [27]

Current strategy combines organic innovation, targeted acquisitions and divestments rather than indefinite brand expansion.

Henkel has actively divested or discontinued weaker or non-core businesses, particularly following the 2022 creation of Consumer Brands. Since the beginning of 2022, the company has divested or discontinued brands and activities representing slightly more than €1 billion in sales. [28]

A notable example was the sale of the Retailer Brands business in North America in 2025. Despite annual sales of around €500 million, the business was deemed less strategically attractive than branded consumer operations. [29] The overarching strategy prioritises fewer, stronger brands alongside robust technology positions and targeted acquisitions.

Henkel operates as a large multinational corporation with significant industrial exposure.

Fiscal 2025 performance

• Sales: €20.5 billion
• Adjusted operating profit: ~€3.0 billion
• Employees: 47,200 permanent employees
• Adhesive Technologies sales: €10.67 billion
• Consumer Brands sales: €9.68 billion

Adhesive Technologies represented approximately 52% of sales, while Consumer Brands accounted for about 47%. [30] The remainder relates primarily to corporate activities and unallocated items.

The year 2026 marks Henkel’s 150th anniversary. Having completed the Consumer Brands integration, the company has accelerated its acquisition strategy. [31]

Figures released on August 6, 2026, show sales of €10.348 billion for the first half of 2026. Organic sales growth reached 3.2%, while adjusted EBIT stood at €1.620 billion, yielding an adjusted EBIT margin of 15.7%. [32]

Adhesive Technologies delivered the strongest performance with 4.5% organic sales growth in H1 2026, while Consumer Brands achieved 1.7% organic growth. [33] Consequently, Henkel upgraded its full-year 2026 organic sales growth guidance to 1.5–3.5%, up from the previous 1–3% range. [34]

Carsten Knobel has served as CEO since 2020, overseeing the group’s strategic direction and transformation. The company’s supervisory structure remains closely linked to the Henkel family, which has played a significant governance role across five generations. [35] Henkel is notable among major German corporations for maintaining significant founding family involvement while being publicly traded.

Henkel operates under the legal form Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. The KGaA (“Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien”) is a German legal structure combining elements of a limited partnership and a publicly traded corporation. Henkel preferred shares are listed in Germany’s DAX index. [36]

The headquarters are located at:
Henkelstraße 67
40589 Düsseldorf
Germany [37]

Innovation is central to Henkel’s competitive advantage, rooted in chemistry, materials science and formulation technology. This is particularly evident in Adhesive Technologies, where the company develops materials for electric vehicle batteries, electronics, automotive components, packaging, industrial assembly, semiconductor manufacturing, construction and infrastructure maintenance.

Henkel therefore functions as both a consumer products company and an advanced materials and chemical technology company, distinguishing it from pure consumer goods manufacturers or pure chemical suppliers.

Sustainability is a core strategic component covering greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy, sustainable packaging, resource efficiency, circular economy principles, sustainable raw materials, water consumption, responsible sourcing and product formulations. Henkel publishes a dedicated Sustainable Impact Report alongside its annual reporting. [38] Adhesive technologies also contribute to sustainability by enabling more efficient manufacturing, assembly, repair and recycling processes.

Henkel’s corporate purpose is “Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.” This reflects two enduring themes: pioneering technology and innovation, and long-term responsibility towards future generations. The company frames innovation, responsibility and sustainability as continuations of the entrepreneurial philosophy established by Fritz Henkel. [39]

Henkel describes Adhesive Technologies as the global #1 in adhesives, while Consumer Brands holds leading positions in its active markets. [40]

Henkel has evolved from a detergent manufacturer into a diversified global technology and consumer products group. Key milestones include:

• 1876: Fritz Henkel establishes a detergent company.
• 1878: Henkel’s Bleaching Soda becomes a breakthrough product.
• 1900: Major production moves to Düsseldorf.
• 1907: Persil revolutionises laundry.
• 1920s: Henkel develops its own adhesive business.
• 20th century: International expansion and diversification.
• Late 20th–21st century: Expansion into industrial adhesives, hair care, construction and other technologies.
• 2022–2025: Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care consolidated into Consumer Brands.
• 2025: Annual sales reach approximately €20.5 billion.
• 2026: Henkel celebrates 150 years and continues expanding through acquisitions.

Today, Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands form the core of the group. [41]

1. Company Profile
2. Questions & Answers
3. Our Businesses
4. 150 Years of Henkel
5. 2025 ANNUAL REPO | — | —
6. Fritz Henkel: A pioneer turns 175
7. Innovation
8. Where tradition meets technology
9. 150 Years of Henkel’s History Presented in New Book
10. Locations & Addresses
11. Ad-hoc Announcements
12. Henkel delivers significant sales increase in 2022 – poised for further growth in fiscal 2023
13. Henkel delivers organic growth in 2025 and increases profitability through innovation and more efficiency
14. Investor Fact Sheet
15. Top Brands
16. Equity Story
17. Henkel to acquire Shiseido’s Hair Professional business in Asia-Pacific
18. Henkel delivers very strong organic sales growth and significant earnings improvement in 2023
19. Very good annual results 2024 demonstrate successful implementation of Purposeful Growth Agenda
20. Acquisitions & Divestments
21. Henkel to divest Retailer Brands business in North America
22. Henkel closes divestment of Retailer Brands business in North America earlier than expected
23. H1 2026 – Henkel
24. Henkel delivers strong sales and earnings performance in the first …
25. Downloads & Publications
26. Download Center
27. Press
28. Investor Relations
29. Global parental leave program at Henkel shows clear impact
30. Publication of Half-year financial report 2026 – Henkel
31. Financial Publications
32. Publication of Q1 2026 Statement
33. Q1 2026
34. Henkel delivers good organic sales growth in the first quarter of 2026
35. Annual General Meeting of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
36. 2026
37. Dividend increase resolved
38. Publication of 2025 Annual Report
39. Publication of 2025 Annual Report
40. 150 years of Henkel: Henkel kicks-off its anniversary year
41. Henkel with sales growth acceleration in the first half of the year and good margin and earnings increase