Henkel Acquires Stahl for €2.1 Billion

• Stahl employs approximately 1,700 people and generated adjusted sales of around €725 million in 2025
• The deal will be formally signed after completion of mandatory works council consultation processes
• The two M&A projects together add close to €1 billion in sales, substantially advancing growth potential for Henkel's Adhesive Technologies division

Summary: Henkel Acquires Stahl for €2.1 Billion

German consumer goods company Henkel, owner of the Persil detergent brand, announced on Wednesday it has agreed to acquire specialty coatings firm Stahl for €2.1 billion ($2.5 billion). The seller is Stahl Group, backed by French private equity firm Wendel as majority shareholder.

Key Transaction Details:

• Deal value: €2.1 billion (approximately $2.5 billion at €1 = $0.8457)
• Formal signing pending completion of mandatory works council consultations
• Target company: Stahl, a specialty coatings manufacturer
• Stahl's 2025 financial profile: ~€725 million in adjusted sales, approximately 1,700 employees

Strategic Context:

This acquisition is part of Henkel's broader expansion strategy for its Adhesive Technologies business unit. CEO Carsten Knobel noted that combined with the recently announced intention to acquire ATP Adhesive Systems, these two M&A projects will add nearly €1 billion in combined sales and significantly enhance growth potential for the division.

Market Implications:

The deal represents a strategic consolidation move in the specialty chemicals and coatings sector, allowing Henkel to strengthen its industrial adhesives portfolio. The acquisition demonstrates Henkel's commitment to expanding beyond its traditional consumer goods base into higher-margin specialty chemicals and B2B segments. The company is pursuing an aggressive M&A strategy to drive growth and diversification.

The transaction is expected to close following regulatory and consultation processes, though no specific timeline was provided in the announcement.