Henkel opens Latin America R&D hub

Henkel has inaugurated its Inspiration Center Jundiaí in Brazil, a 5,000 sqm R&D facility representing an investment of around 38 million EUR (approximately 232.5 million BRL) that will serve as the adhesive technologies development hub for Latin America.

The complex houses more than 20 laboratories and a management area accommodating over 100 employees daily. Its administrative building uses engineered wood construction, described as the largest commercial structure of its kind in the region. The facility follows the same innovation center model Henkel has established at its headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany and in Shanghai, China.

'The Inspiration Center Jundiaí reinforces our commitment to advancing innovation in the Latin America region by capturing the trends and needs of the region,' said Mark Dorn, executive vice president of adhesive technologies at Henkel. 'The facility will bring our portfolio to life for our customers and enables close collaboration internally and externally.'

The center is designed to bring together customers, suppliers, universities and strategic partners. 'With cutting-edge laboratories, we are elevating our technical capability to a new level,' added Nigel Fay, corporate vice president for innovation and chief technology officer at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

For André Baron, president of Henkel in Latin America, the Jundiaí location reflects the strategic importance of the Brazilian market, citing the region's renewable energy resources, production capabilities and technical talent as factors underpinning the long-term investment.