Henkel proudly announces AQUENCE™ as the brand name of its innovative autodeposition coating technology. This water-based technology recently set new industry precedent by displacing conventional metal pretreatment and the electrocoat process for an entire automotive vehicle body. With AQUENCEHenkel Achieves Major Milestone with Launch of New AQUENCE™ Brand, customers can realize a 40 percent footprint reduction, reduce capital expenditures and paint shop complexity, decrease energy consumption, eliminate heavy metal sludge, and improve inside-out corrosion performance.

"This is a significant breakthrough for the autodeposition coating technology, resulting from our continued investment in sustainable and innovative technologies," said Chuck Evans, president, global automotive, Henkel. "To our customers, the new AQUENCE™ brand name will represent improved performance, reduced cost, reduced complexity and reduced environmental footprint for their industrial coating needs."

AQUENCE™ branded coating technology, previously marketed under the Autophoretic^® name, has grown steadily in a variety of industrial submarkets. Henkel currently has AQUENCE™ technical and business centers in each region globally to support the continued expansion into new applications.

"Customers can expect to see several new AQUENCE™ branded technology launches early this year," added Evans. "The AQUENCE™ branded coating technology is a demonstration of how Henkel provides the transportation industry with smart solutions that are consistent with our commitment to be a sustainable and responsible supplier."

Henkel is the market leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatments to the transportation industry. Backed by extensive design capabilities, a broad product range, specific application knowledge and technical expertise, the company delivers solutions to all segments of automotive development - automotive body, interior, chassis, electronics and powertrain production. Through powerful brands like Loctite ^®, Teroson^®, Aquence™, Bonderite^®, Frekote^® and Multan™, Henkel provides significant economic and environmental advantages for today's vehicles, making them safer, more comfortable and extending vehicle value.

For more than 130 years, Henkel has been a leader with brands and technologies that make people's lives easier, better and more beautiful. Henkel operates in three business areas - Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives Technologies - and ranks among the Fortune Global 500 companies. In fiscal 2006, Henkel generated sales of 12.740 billion euros and operating profit of 1,298 million euros. Our 53,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to fulfilling our corporate claim, "A Brand like a Friend," and ensuring that people in more than 125 countries can trust in brands and technologies from Henkel.