Henkel Announces Acquisition of Stahl, Forming a Powerful Partnership to Explore a New Future in Specialty Coatings
February 4, 2026 – Stahl, a global leader in specialty coatings for flexible materials, along with its shareholders Wendel (68.5% stake), BASF (16.1% stake), and Clariant (14.6% stake), announced that they have reached an agreement with Henkel Group for a €2.1 billion acquisition. Following the completion of the transaction, Wendel will end its twenty-year control over Stahl, and Henkel will officially take over, opening a new chapter of collaborative growth.
Shared Vision: Driving Customer, Innovation, and Sustainability Together
Henkel and Stahl align strategically, both companies focused on deepening customer collaboration, maintaining an innovative edge, and demonstrating ESG leadership. Originating from the European industrial system, both companies share similar end-market layouts globally and have complementary specialty product portfolios, laying a solid foundation for future collaborative development.
The integration will propel Stahl to a new phase in customer service depth, technical strength, and global market influence. Leveraging Henkel’s strong expertise in material science and innovation, Stahl will enhance its competitive edge in the specialty coatings for flexible materials sector.
Stahl CEO Maarten Heijbroek said, “We sincerely thank Wendel for its long-term support over the past two decades. Under their leadership, Stahl completed a critical strategic transformation, gradually evolving into a company focused on specialty coatings, with a solid global presence and a robust development foundation. These achievements will provide a reliable basis for our next phase of growth.”
Maarten Heijbroek also mentioned, “Today, as Henkel and Stahl enter a new chapter together, we believe this integration will further strengthen Stahl’s position in the specialty coatings for flexible materials sector. Henkel’s powerful innovation capabilities will help us bring more value to our customers. The alignment of our philosophies and cultures makes this partnership even more seamless and promising.”
Smooth Transition: Business and Operations to Continue as Usual
It is worth noting that, to ensure the core interests of employees, customers, and partners are protected, Stahl’s operations will continue unaffected during the transition period. The company will maintain its current organizational structure and fulfill all commercial commitments and operational responsibilities, ensuring continuity and stability of services and minimizing the impact of the integration.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approval by relevant regulatory bodies. As the process progresses, Henkel and Stahl will share more detailed information with the market and work together with all parties to witness the new future of collaborative development.
About Stahl
Stahl specializes in the global specialty coatings for flexible materials sector. With core business lines in high-performance coatings, leather finishes, and packaging coatings, Stahl is committed to developing innovative coatings to protect and enhance the consumer experience across various industries. From footwear and apparel to luxury goods, automotive, packaging, and home products, Stahl’s products are everywhere.
Hundreds of millions of people interact with Stahl’s coatings products every day. When consumers use our products, we touch their lives. This is the positive, tangible impact we can bring to consumers, and it is our mission: to touch lives and co-create a better world. Stahl’s mission is also reflected in our firm commitment to sustainability, including our approved emissions reduction targets under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Stahl is headquartered in Waalwijk, Netherlands, with sales offices in 22 countries, 14 production sites, and 30 application laboratories strategically located around the world.
About Henkel
Henkel occupies a leading market position globally in the industrial and consumer goods sectors through its brands, innovations, and advanced technologies. Its Adhesive Technologies division is a global leader in adhesives, sealants, and coatings markets. Henkel’s consumer brands business holds leading positions in many global markets and categories, with outstanding performance in laundry and home care and hair care. The company’s three core brands are Loctite, Persil, and Schwarzkopf.
In fiscal year 2024, Henkel achieved sales of over €21.6 billion, with adjusted operating profit of around €3.1 billion. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed on the German DAX index. Sustainability is a long-standing tradition for Henkel, and the company has established a clear sustainability strategy with specific goals.
Founded in 1876, Henkel now employs around 47,000 diverse employees worldwide, who uphold a strong corporate culture, shared values, and a common mission: “Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.”
