Henkel recently released its results for the third quarter of 2025. The company reported that it recorded robust sales growth in a market environment that remains challenging — both in terms of industrial demand and globally subdued consumer sentiment — with group sales coming in at around €5.1 billion. This corresponds to an organic growth rate of 1.4%. Growth at group level was primarily underpinned by a generally positive volume development accompanied by stable price development.

“As expected, sales momentum continued to accelerate in the third quarter. While the main driver for this was the Adhesive Technologies business unit, the Consumer Brands business unit also recorded positive organic sales growth. From a regional perspective, the good sales development in North America — to which both business units contributed with positive sales growth — is of particular note. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our measures,” said Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel. 

“In addition, the good earnings development continued in the third quarter, while we consistently pursued investments in our businesses and brands. At the same time, we are continuing to make very good progress in integrating our Consumer Brands businesses and, as announced, will successfully complete the process by year-end. We expect to realize the full cost savings of at least 525 million euros by the end of the current fiscal year,” explained Knobel.

“The full-year outlook for 2025 remains unchanged, albeit with the uncertainty and challenges in the global markets persisting. We continue to expect that both the adjusted EBIT margin and the adjusted EPS growth at constant currency exchange rates will be well within our current outlook ranges. However, in case the overall economic environment does not improve noticeably by year-end, organic sales growth for the group is expected to come in at the lower end of our current guidance range of 1 to 2 percent,” said Knobel.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit generated good organic sales growth in the third quarter, driven by the Mobility & Electronics and Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business areas. 

Group sales in the third quarter of 2025 decreased nominally by -6.3% to €5,147 million. Effects from acquisitions/divestments had a negative impact of -2.9% on sales development. Foreign exchange effects reduced sales by -4.8%. Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 1.4%. At the group level, this growth was driven by both a stable price development and overall good volume development.

Organic sales growth in the third quarter was driven by the North America, IMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. In contrast, Europe and Latin America recorded a decline in organic sales development.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit achieved sales of €2,708 million in the third quarter of 2025. This represents a nominal decrease of -3.3% compared to the prior-year quarter. Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 2.5%. This growth was driven by positive price and volume development. Foreign exchange effects reduced sales by -4.9%. Acquisitions/divestments also had a negative impact of -0.9%.

Henkel reports that organic sales growth of the Adhesive Technologies business unit in the third quarter was driven by the Mobility & Electronics and the Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business areas. The Mobility & Electronics business area generated a very strong organic sales increase of 5.9%. This development was driven by double-digit growth in the Electronics business and very strong growth in the Industrial business. Sales in the Automotive business declined overall due to muted demand. The Packaging & Consumer Goods business area posted a slightly negative organic sales development of -1.1%. The Packaging business recorded a decline in sales. In contrast, the Consumer Goods business recorded positive growth. The Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business area achieved organic sales growth of 2.2%. This growth was supported by a strong increase in sales in the General Manufacturing & Maintenance business. The Construction business recorded good growth, while the Consumers & Craftsmen business posted positive growth.     

From a regional perspective, the Adhesive Technologies business unit recorded a slight decline in organic sales growth in Europe in the third quarter. While the Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business area achieved a positive development, the Mobility & Electronics as well as the Packaging & Consumer Goods business areas recorded a decline in organic sales. In contrast, the North America region posted good organic sales growth, driven by the Mobility & Electronics and Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business areas. In the IMEA region, the business unit achieved double-digit organic sales growth, to which all three business areas contributed. The Latin America region recorded a decline in organic sales growth, driven by all three business areas. The Asia-Pacific region recorded very strong organic sales growth, due in particular to a double-digit increase in sales in the Electronics business in China.

For fiscal 2025, Henkel expects organic sales growth of 1.0 to 2.0% for the group. For the Adhesive Technologies business unit, organic sales growth in the range of 2.0 to 3.0% is expected. For Consumer Brands, the company anticipates an organic sales increase of 0.5 to 1.5%.

Adjusted return on sales (adjusted EBIT margin) at group level is expected to be in the range of 14.5 to 15.5%. Adhesive Technologies is expected to achieve an adjusted return on sales in the range of 16.5 to 17.5%. For Consumer Brands, adjusted return on sales is expected to be in the range of 14.0 to 15.0%. Adjusted earnings per preferred share (EPS) at constant exchange rates are expected to increase in the low to high single-digit percentage range.

In case the overall economic environment does not improve noticeably by year-end, organic sales growth for the group as well as for both business units is expected to come in at the lower end of the company’s current guidance ranges. In contrast, Henkel continues to expect that both the adjusted EBIT margin – for both the group and the two business units – and the adjusted EPS growth at constant currency exchange rates will be well within current outlook ranges.

Learn more about Henkel at www.henkel.com.  

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