What Henkel does

Henkel is a Germany-headquartered global conglomerate, founded in 1876 by Fritz Henkel in Aachen and now operating across approximately 79 countries with around 50,000 employees representing 125 nationalities. The company is organized into two core business units: Adhesive Technologies, which supplies industrial and professional customers with bonding, sealing, and functional coating solutions under brands such as Loctite, Unibond, and Pritt; and Consumer Brands, a multi-category consumer goods platform spanning hair care (Schwarzkopf, Live), laundry and fabric care (Persil, Dylon, Colour Catcher), home cleaning (Bloo, Oust), and stationery adhesives.

Henkel generates revenue primarily through one-time product sales across both B2B industrial channels and B2C retail distribution. Go-to-market combines field sales representatives executing at store level within trading companies for the consumer side and dedicated direct sales teams selling into manufacturing customers on the industrial side. The group reported Q1 2026 sales of approximately 5.0 billion euros with 1.7% organic growth, supported by an active M&A program that has added roughly 1.6 billion euros in target sales volume across three completed acquisitions in 2026.

The technology core rests on proprietary adhesive and consumer goods formulations backed by 150 years of formulation expertise, a globally distributed R&D and manufacturing footprint, and an emerging digital layer including the Choicify AI-driven color consultation app and the Persil Service mobile platform. Sustainability leadership is a stated strategic pillar, with Science Based Targets-validated net-zero goals, a 2030 circular packaging target of 35% recycled plastic in consumer packaging, and broader ESG commitments across the supply chain.

Name

Henkel

Legal name

Henkel Limited

Website

https://henkel.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1876

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Henkel is a German-founded global conglomerate operating in 79 countries with two business units: Adhesive Technologies, supplying industrial bonding, sealing, and coating solutions under Loctite and Unibond, and Consumer Brands, marketing hair care, laundry, and home care products under Schwarzkopf, Persil, Bloo, and Dylon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Adhesives & Consumer Goods

NAICS

Adhesive Manufacturing (32552), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Adhesives & Sealants (2891), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Adhesives (Structural & Assembly) (IMAEAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Adhesive, Sealant & Gasket Rubber Compounds (IMANAJAI)

Keywords

• Industrial adhesives
• Consumer packaged goods
• Hair care products
• Laundry detergents
• Sealants and coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Adhesive Technologies Products: Henkel generates revenue through the sale of industrial adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings to manufacturing and professional customers worldwide.
2. Consumer Brands Products: Revenue from consumer goods including hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and home care products sold through retail channels.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Henkel operates two main divisions: Adhesive Technologies, which develops, manufactures, and sells industrial adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings for industrial and professional customers, and Consumer Brands, which manufactures and sells branded consumer products for hair care, laundry care, home care, and surface treatment. The company offers its products globally through both direct industrial sales channels and retail distribution to end consumers.

Product overview

Henkel operates as a global diversified company with two main business units: Henkel Adhesive Technologies (industrial adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings) and Henkel Consumer Brands (hair care and laundry & home care products). The Adhesive Technologies unit provides bonding, sealing, and coating solutions under brands including Loctite and Unibond. The Consumer Brands unit encompasses a multi-category platform including hair care brands (Schwarzkopf), laundry care products (Dylon, Live, Colour Catcher), and home care products (Bloo, Oust), along with stationery adhesives (Pritt). The company serves both industrial/professional customers and consumers through its portfolio of well-known brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Loctite: Industrial adhesive brand for bonding solutions
• Schwarzkopf
• Persil
• Bloo
• Dylon
• Pritt
• Unibond
• Live
• Colour Catcher
• Oust
• Sellotape

Products and services

• Adhesive Technologies Henkel's Adhesive Technologies business unit offers high-impact solutions for industrial customers across automotive, metal, packaging, electronics, construction, consumer goods, and aerospace industries. It includes products such as Loctite, Bonderite, Technomelt, Teroson, and Pattex.
• Consumer Brands Henkel's Consumer Brands unit sells laundry care, hair care, and home care products globally, including brands like Persil, Schwarzkopf, Fa, Vernel, Syoss, Schauma, Got2b, Live, Bloo, Bref, Oust, Viss, Pur, Silan, Perwoll, and Biff.
• Loctite Industrial adhesives, sealants, and surface treatment products used in manufacturing, maintenance, and repair applications across industries.
• Schwarzkopf Hair care brand offering shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and hair colorants for end consumers.
• Pritt Adhesive products including glue sticks, tape, and correction products for office and home use.
• Bloo Toilet rim block and bathroom cleaning products for end consumers.
• Live Laundry detergent brand offering various fabric care products.
• Dylon Fabric dyes and textile care products for consumer home use.
• Unibond Adhesives, sealants, and waterproofing products for DIY and home improvement.
• Colour Catcher Laundry sheets that prevent color transfer during washing.
• Oust Air freshener and odor elimination products for consumer use.
• Bondex Sealants, adhesives, and surface treatment products for DIY consumers and small contractors.
• Pattex DIY adhesives, sealants, and glues for home repair and construction.
• Choicify AI-powered digital tool that helps consumers find the right hair care products based on their needs.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SolidaridadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with development organization Solidaridad focuses on training and continuing education for smallholder farmers to improve livelihoods and strengthen nature conservation through organic farming methods.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHenkel employees participate in MIT projects, including a project in Uganda that has positively impacted more than 1,000 people in terms of education, health, job security, and safety.
• DENS (UK Charity)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate Citizenship initiative: Henkel Hemel Hempstead office supports local charity DENS which houses, supports and empowers vulnerable single homeless people and others in crisis to transform their lives.
• Start-ups and Innovation EcosystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHenkel connects start-ups with operating business to drive development of groundbreaking technologies. Henkel Tech Ventures set up a vast network spanning across all areas of the manufacturing industry.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 3M: Large diversified industrial peer with a major Industrial Adhesives and Tapes division directly competing with Henkel Adhesive Technologies across automotive, electronics, and consumer bonding applications.
• H.B. Fuller: Pure-play industrial adhesives manufacturer with overlapping product portfolio in packaging, construction, and durable goods adhesives, making it the closest focused comparable to Henkel's Adhesive Technologies business.
• Sika AG: Swiss specialty chemicals company competing directly with Henkel in construction adhesives, sealants, and bonding solutions for the building and automotive industries.
• Arkema (Bostik): Bostik is Arkema's adhesives subsidiary, directly competing with Henkel Adhesive Technologies in industrial, construction, and consumer adhesive segments globally.
• Avery Dennison: Global leader in pressure-sensitive labels and adhesive materials, overlapping with Henkel's industrial adhesives business in labeling and packaging applications.

Broad incumbents

• Procter & Gamble: Global consumer goods incumbent competing with Henkel Consumer Brands across laundry detergents, fabric care, and home cleaning categories through brands such as Ariel and Tide.
• Unilever: Diversified consumer goods peer with overlapping laundry, home care, and personal care portfolios that compete with Henkel's Persil, Bloo, and Schwarzkopf brands across multiple markets.
• Reckitt Benckiser: Global consumer health and hygiene peer competing with Henkel's home care and cleaning brands (Bloo, Oust) in laundry additives, surface care, and bathroom hygiene.
• L'Oréal: Global beauty leader and the most direct large competitor to Henkel's Schwarzkopf brand in professional and consumer hair color, care, and styling categories.

Regional players

• Beiersdorf: European personal-care peer with strong positions in skin and hair care that overlaps with Schwarzkopf, particularly in European retail channels where both compete for shelf space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/henkel
• Facebookfacebook.com/henkel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/henkel
• Instagraminstagram.com/henkel

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Henkel