Henkel, the multinational manufacturer known for its portfolio of consumer and industrial brands including Dial soap, Schwarzkopf hair care, Loctite adhesives and Technomelt coatings, has announced the appointment of Rajat Agarwal as President of its North America region, effective 1 July 2025.
Agarwal succeeds Pernille Lind Olsen, who has stepped down from the role and will be pursuing new professional opportunities in her native Denmark.
In addition to his regional leadership responsibilities, Agarwal continues to serve as Corporate Vice President, Packaging, within Henkel Adhesive Technologies. He is based at Henkel’s North American headquarters for Adhesive Technologies in Bridgewater, New Jersey in the US.
With a tenure spanning 28 years, Agarwal brings extensive international experience and technical expertise to the position.
He joined Henkel in 1997 as a Research Scientist in the Automotive division of the Adhesive Technologies business, based in Madison Heights, Michigan.
Over the course of his career, he has held research and innovation roles at Henkel’s global headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany, and has served as President of Henkel Greater China, a position he held for four years.
He returned to the United States in 2024 to assume his current global packaging leadership role.
Agarwal holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.
In a statement issued by the company, Agarwal expressed enthusiasm for his new responsibilities. He emphasised a continued commitment to innovation and sustainability, underscoring North America's role as Henkel’s largest single market.
He further highlighted the importance of collaboration and customer focus across the company’s dual business units - consumer brands and adhesives.
Henkel has positioned the appointment as a continuation of its leadership development strategy, citing Agarwal’s proven ability to deliver operational excellence while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity.
Henkel names Rajat Agarwal as President of North America Region
