This year, German industrial and consumer goods manufacturer Henkel marked its 150th anniversary and 55 years of operating in China.

The company opened its first representative office in Hong Kong in 1971 and has since expanded its innovation and production capacity across China. China is now Henkel's third-largest market worldwide. Globally, 20 consumers use its hair color products every second, and its detergents are used in 25 billion loads of laundry each year.

Henkel registered in Shanghai's Yangpu district in 2001, and its Asia-Pacific and Greater China headquarters moved to the district in 2017.

Henkel Consumer Brands Asia R&D Center, the largest research and development facility for its consumer brands in the region, opened in Yangpu in 2024, with an investment of about 100 million yuan ($14.96 million).

Anna An, president of Henkel Greater China, said the center uses consumer insights to relay feedback to its R&D teams and respond to market demand.

The center has produced customized products for consumers in China and across Asia, while the April 2026 relaunch of Sassoon's professional hair education program in Yangpu further strengthened Henkel's presence in professional hair education.

Sustainability remains central to Henkel's strategy, with the company announcing new interim targets for 2030 covering climate action, equity, and sustainable supply chains.

An said China's efforts to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, along with the development of green, low-carbon supply chains and growing environmental awareness among consumers, have created opportunities for sustainable innovation.

Henkel has developed lightweight and safety-related products for China's new energy vehicle sector, helping cut carbon footprints in production, transport, and use.

The company also worked with the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation to release the first association standard for calculating the carbon footprint of adhesive products during the eighth China International Import Expo.

Yangpu's concentration of universities and research institutes has given Henkel access to skilled talent and helped accelerate research into advanced technologies and their practical applications.

Source: Shanghai Yangpu Media Center