Henkel’s €60 Million Adhesive Technologies Inspiration Center in Shanghai Goes into Operation, Aiming to Build an R&D Hub for Asia-Pacific

On September 24, German industrial giant Henkel officially opened its new Adhesive Technologies Inspiration Center in Shanghai, with a total investment of approximately €60 million.

Located in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, the center covers 33,000 square meters and was officially put into operation on September 22. It brings together more than 500 scientists and professionals from product development, application technology, and technical services, providing customers across industries with leading solutions in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.

According to reports, the new center houses over 30 state-of-the-art laboratories, with research focused on advanced fields such as thermal management and semiconductor testing. In the thermal management lab, Henkel has integrated its automotive and electronics R&D teams to enable shared thermal management technology platforms. Its liquid thermal interface material, with a thermal conductivity of 14 W/(m·K), has already been applied in optical communication modules.

In the area of advanced packaging for artificial intelligence chips, Henkel is working closely with customers, participating from the design stage in the development of low-stress, high-thermal-conductivity materials. The company emphasized: “The new center is structured around technology platforms, fostering cross-industry collaboration and knowledge exchange. With advanced digital tools, Henkel experts are seamlessly connected to the company’s broader global innovation ecosystem, supporting agile workflows and data-driven decision-making.”

Henkel noted that the Asia-Pacific region is one of the most dynamic and diverse markets globally, playing a vital role in driving the company’s innovation and growth. Within this region, China stands at the forefront of emerging trends, rapidly evolving customer needs, and sustainability efforts.

“The new R&D center will further enhance Henkel’s ability to understand industry changes, meet unique local market demands, and deliver greater value to customers across the Asia-Pacific region,” the company added.

Anna, President of Henkel China, revealed that the company has already established a full value-chain presence in China, covering R&D, pilot testing, and production: an Application Technology Center in Dongguan, a high-end manufacturing site in Yantai, and a pilot plant in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park.

Founded in 1876, Henkel is a global leader in adhesives. In 2022, the company generated sales of more than €21.6 billion, with adjusted operating profit of around €3.1 billion. Since entering the Chinese market in the 1970s, Henkel has continued to expand its local presence and strengthen its role within the global value chain.