Henkel stock: Company launches APNR 2.0 and completes Stahl acquisition
Published on 10/06/2026 at 18:29 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Henkel launched APNR 2.0 on October 6, 2026, an updated adhesion-promoter technology for metal pretreatment. The company said the system is designed to improve line performance while reducing water, chemical and operational requirements. Henkel said internal evaluations indicated potential reductions of up to 50% in process-water consumption and up to 20% in compressed-air demand compared with the previous APNR generation, depending on line design and operating conditions.
Updated equipment generation
APNR replaces a traditional passivation bath with a metered spray application of adhesion promoter, eliminating the need for a downstream rinse stage. Henkel said more than 100 APNR systems have been installed worldwide since the technology’s market launch in 2015. The new EcoFlex control unit is designed to monitor conductivity, pressure and tank levels and to support integration into digital systems. The company’s release said the technology can support chrome-free processes and retrofit applications in existing plants.
Stahl acquisition completed
Henkel said on October 1, 2026, that it had completed the acquisition of Dutch specialty-coatings company Stahl after fulfilling closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Stahl became fully part of Henkel on that date. The company said Stahl has around 1,800 employees and generated adjusted sales of around EUR 725 million in fiscal 2025. Henkel’s announcement described the transaction as an expansion of its Adhesive Technologies portfolio into specialty coatings.
