Henkel to build strategic alliance with RLE International

DÜSSELDORF, Germany and COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Henkel and RLE International announced today that they have agreed to form a strategic alliance to drive automotive innovation, expand value creation opportunities and become the premier design-in engineering solution provider for the mobility industry.

Automotive megatrends and future mobility concepts driven by increasing environmental legislation, e-mobility and autonomous driving are shaping the engineering challenges of the industry: New architecture designs and solutions are required to reduce weight and increase safety. Furthermore, the integration and protection of batteries and electronic components play a crucial role in development and manufacturing.

"To design new e-mobility concepts and lightweight innovations, the combination of material science and engineering expertise is a significant competitive advantage," says Dr. Christian Kirsten, Corporate Senior Vice President, Henkel Transport & Metal. "Together with RLE International we will create 'The Mobility Alliance' with advanced simulation capabilities of full vehicle crash behavior to improve passenger safety, and component design competence to improve vehicle performance," adds Chuck Evans, Corporate Vice President, Henkel Automotive OEM Design.

RLE's core business includes effective and technologically sophisticated engineering expertise in vehicle component development and design. "This involves the fields of concept development, vehicle and safety engineering, as well as electrics/electronics, e-mobility and lightweight design," says Ralf Laufenberg, CEO RLE International, "Once combined with Henkel's advanced materials know-how in high performance adhesives and sealants, structural foams and sound-deadeners we will become the go-to engineering partner and preferred advanced material supplier in the industry."

This joint approach to market will grant customers access to a unique global combination of long-term engineering know-how and best-in-class material science which will enable next generation design solutions and new levels of lightweight structures.

Through a holistic development approach from concept to launch and series production, Henkel and RLE International will ensure process security and sustainability of all development, engineering and material processes.

About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market ? across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2017, Henkel reported sales of 20 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 3.5 billion euros. Combined sales of the respective top brands of the three business units ? Loctite, Schwarzkopf and Persil ? amounted to 6.4 billion euros. Henkel employs more than 53,000 people globally ? a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel's preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

About RLE INTERNATIONAL
The RLE International Group is one of the world's leading development, technology and consultation service providers to the international automotive industry. With more than 30 years of experience and a global concept about 2.000 engineers and specialists constantly keep abreast of technological progress and to add value for the international partners along the value chain.

For more information, please visit www.rle.international

Photo material is available at www.henkel.com/press.

SOURCE Henkel