Despite a persistently challenging market environment, Henkel has reported very strong sales growth in the third quarter of 2026, generating Group sales of around 5.7 billion euros. This corresponds to an organic growth rate of 6.5 percent.
Growth was driven by positive price and volume developments in both business units. Henkel had already published its preliminary figures for the third quarter and an updated full-year outlook at the end of October, raising its sales expectations and narrowing its earnings guidance.
“Our organic sales growth significantly accelerated in the third quarter, driven by very strong performance in both business units," says Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel. "It is particularly encouraging that we continue to see positive price and volume developments, with volumes increasing for the fifth consecutive quarter. The successful business performance in the third quarter underscores the strength of our business and the consistent execution of our growth agenda,”
“At the same time, we continue to advance the strategic development of our portfolio with a clear and consistent focus. All five acquisitions announced in the course of this year have now been successfully completed. With our most recent acquisitions, we are strengthening our core business, expanding into attractive new business areas and creating additional growth opportunities for both business units: In Adhesive Technologies, we have expanded our portfolio with high-performance water-based specialty tapes as well as specialty coatings for flexible materials. In Consumer Brands, we have strengthened our global Hair business across both the Consumer and Professional segments.
"Our recent acquisitions together represent sales of around 1.6 billion euros. In the coming years, we expect them to deliver above-average growth in the mid-to-high single-digit percentage range and to reach annual sales of around 2 billion euros by 2030. This will further strengthen our growth agenda,” Carsten Knobel continued.
“With our updated outlook for 2026, we are underscoring our ambition to deliver sustainable and profitable growth. We now expect stronger organic sales growth, while narrowing our earnings guidance to reflect the higher increase in raw material costs, particularly in Adhesive Technologies.”
Outlook for the Henkel Group
Based on the strong business performance in the third quarter and assumptions for the remainder of the year, Henkel updated its guidance for sales and earnings development for fiscal 2026 on October 29, 2026.
For the current year, Henkel expects organic sales growth of 3.0 to 4.0 percent for the Group (previously: 1.5 to 3.5 percent). For the Adhesive Technologies business unit, organic sales growth in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 percent is expected (previously: 2.0 to 4.0 percent). For the Consumer Brands business unit, an increase of 1.5 to 2.5 percent is anticipated (previously: 0.5 to 2.5 percent).
Adjusted return on sales (adjusted EBIT margin) at Group level is expected to be around 15 percent (previously: 14.5 to 16.0 percent). For Adhesive Technologies, adjusted return on sales is anticipated to be around 16.5 percent (previously: 16.5 to 18.0 percent) and for Consumer Brands around 15 percent (previously: 14.0 to 15.5 percent).
