Henkel Announces New Consumer Brands R&D Center in Connecticut

Expanded facility in Trumbull to unite three locations and strengthen Henkel's North America innovation strategy

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:18pm

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Henkel, a leading manufacturer of consumer and industrial brands, has announced the development of a new $70 million Center of Research & Development in Trumbull, Connecticut. The state-of-the-art campus will bring together Henkel's North America Consumer Brands R&D teams, currently operating across three separate Connecticut locations, into a unified site designed to accelerate collaboration, creativity, career development, and customer-centric innovation.

Why it matters

The new Henkel R&D center represents the company's largest non-manufacturing capital investment in North America in the past decade, underscoring its long-term commitment to innovation and growth in the region. The facility will support over 200 employees across 27 unique laboratories and 3 pilot plants, further strengthening Connecticut's reputation as a global hub for pioneering research and advanced manufacturing.

The details

The Henkel Center of Research & Development will span three buildings on more than 10 acres of land, totaling over 110,000 square feet. It will house a range of functional groups, including Hair, Body, Laundry & Home Care Product Development, Packaging, Processing, Microbiology, Analytical, Product Safety, and Regulatory Affairs. The campus will also feature new amenities like a cafeteria, EV charging, outdoor workspaces, and modern collaboration zones.

  • Henkel announced the new R&D center on March 16, 2026.
  • The facility is scheduled to open at the end of 2027.

The players

Henkel

A leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands, such as all® free clear laundry detergent, Dial® soap, Schwarzkopf® hair care, and Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.

Phil Schaffer

Corporate Senior Vice President, Henkel Consumer Brands North America.

Ned Lamont

Governor of Connecticut.

Richard Blumenthal

U.S. Senator from Connecticut.

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What they’re saying

“Innovation is deeply rooted in our DNA, and bringing our teams together will enable us to deliver transformative solutions that delight consumers and customers and have the potential to shape category trends. This significant investment underscores our long-term commitment to innovation, growth, and our talented teams in Connecticut.”

— Phil Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President, Henkel Consumer Brands North America

“Connecticut is a global hub for innovation because of the pioneering research taking place at our companies and academic institutions, and the collaborative ecosystem that supports them. With Henkel's new Center of Research & Development in Trumbull, we are continuing that legacy by supporting cutting-edge research that will drive the next generation of consumer products and strengthen our state's leadership in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and product development.”

— Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut

“Henkel's expansion in Trumbull will help drive cutting-edge research and product development while creating countless opportunities for career development and innovation. Talented professionals and their communities will benefit. I'm thrilled to see Henkel continue building on its strong roots here.”

— Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator from Connecticut

What’s next

The new Henkel Center of Research & Development is scheduled to open at the end of 2027.

The takeaway

Henkel's significant investment in a new state-of-the-art R&D facility in Connecticut underscores the state's reputation as a global hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and product development. The consolidated campus will enable the company to accelerate collaboration, creativity, and customer-centric innovation across its leading consumer brands.