Arab Finance: Henkel has invested more than €100 million in Egypt over the past 34 years, the company said as its Egyptian business marked Henkel’s 150th anniversary at Cairo’s Qubba Palace, as per an emailed press release.
The celebration brought together Henkel Egypt employees and leaders with members of the company’s global and regional leadership, including Wolfgang König, Executive Vice President Consumer Brands; Ashraf ElAfifi, President of Henkel IMEA and Corporate Senior Vice President for Henkel Consumer Brands in the High Growth Region; Ahmed Nasser, Vice President of Henkel Consumer Brands for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey and Head of Regional Sales; and Sherif Khalil, Managing Director and President of Henkel Egypt.
“Egypt is an important strategic market for Henkel. Over the past 34 years, our investments have exceeded €100 million, clearly reflecting our confidence in the potential of the Egyptian market and our long-term commitment to the country. Today, we see Egypt not only as a promising market, but also as an important hub for production, talent and services within Henkel’s global network,” Khalil said.
Henkel Egypt’s consumer brands include Pril, Persil and Palette. In 2025, it added Schwarzkopf’s Gliss hair care line and Perwoll, a laundry care brand focused on fabric care and color protection. The company said it continues to invest in innovation and production capabilities at its 6th of October City plant to respond to changing consumer needs.
Khalil also outlined the company’s ambitions for its Egyptian operations: “As we look to the next chapter, we aspire to continue growing, expand our exports and strengthen Egypt’s role as an export hub for African markets, building on its strategic location, industrial base and outstanding talent. Our 34-year journey in Egypt is a story of trust, commitment and the ability to evolve. We have continued to operate, invest and grow through different periods and numerous challenges, with our employees, partners and the trust of Egyptian consumers always at the heart of this journey. Today, as we celebrate 150 years of Henkel, we are proud of what we have built in Egypt, but even more excited about what lies ahead. Our message is clear: we are here to stay, grow, innovate and continue contributing to shaping the future of the categories in which we operate in the Egyptian market.”
Egypt’s role in Henkel’s network extends beyond manufacturing. Established in 2014 as a small regional team, its Global Business Solutions (GBS) center in Cairo now employs more than 300 people and serves more than 75 countries in eight languages. Egyptian professionals also hold roles across other markets in the company’s global network.
Henkel said it continues to invest in employee development. Women account for 55.7% of Henkel Egypt’s workforce and 57.6% of its managerial positions.
On sustainability, the company said production operations at its 6th of October City plant have been carbon-neutral since 2024, helping avoid approximately 1,900 metric tons of CO? emissions a year. Its work in Egypt also includes youth development through collaborations with universities, institutions and civil society organizations, as well as community initiatives.
Henkel has also contributed its adhesive expertise to the restoration of King Tutankhamun’s golden mask. The company chose the historic Qubba Palace for the anniversary celebration as a setting that connects its 150-year history with Egypt’s cultural heritage.
