Henkel to acquire Stahl Group in €2.1bn deal

Core Insights - Henkel has agreed to acquire Stahl Group for €2.1 billion ($2.48 billion), purchasing the majority stake from Wendel, a French private equity firm [1][4] - Stahl specializes in coatings for flexible materials across various sectors, including packaging, automotive, fashion, and lifestyle [1][2] - The acquisition is expected to create commercial synergies due to the complementary nature of products offered by both companies [3] Company Overview - Stahl employs approximately 1,700 people and reported adjusted sales of around €725 million ($854.6 million) for the 2025 fiscal year [2] - The ownership structure of Stahl includes Wendel (68.5%), BASF (16.1%), and Clariant (14.6%) [2] - Under Wendel's ownership, Stahl has transformed into a focused specialty coatings company with a strong global presence [3] Strategic Implications - The acquisition aligns with Henkel's strategic agenda for purposeful growth, particularly in its Adhesive Technologies business unit [4] - Henkel has also announced plans to acquire ATP Adhesive Systems, which together with the Stahl acquisition, will add nearly €1 billion in sales [5] - Henkel plans to introduce new packaging for its Pritt glue sticks in European markets, with updated cardboard blister packs expected by early 2026 [5]