Düsseldorf, Germany - Henkel intends to ring-fence in future a major portion of its pension obligations in Germany through the use of a so-called Contractual Trust Arrangement (CTA). A major portion of the necessary capital is to be provided through the issue of a subordinated hybrid bond with a volume of around 1 billion euros.
This step offers substantial benefits to all concerned. For Henkel the measure will generate stronger financial flexibility and a better management of existing refunding risks in respect of pension obligations, says Lothar Steinebach, CFO of Henkel KGaA. It will also place our financial reporting on a more comparable international footing and our employees and pensioners will enjoy increased funding security.

The hybrid bond constitutes a mixture of debt and equity capital financing vehicles. The capital paid into the CTA fund is to serve to secure Henkel's pension obligations in Germany.
Henkel will exclusively utilize the assets transferred to the trust for the purpose of fulfilling its pension obligations. For all employees and pensioners in Germany, this means that their benefits entitlement from Henkel will remain unchanged.