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Leading the Future of Consumer Goods in the GCC and beyond
From robotic chemists mixing precise laundry formulations to AI tools supporting product development, Henkel is steadily integrating tomorrow’s science into today’s products. In our labs from Düsseldorf to Dubai, teams are testing formulations down to the molecule, working to achieve the right balance of power and gentleness that helps good products become great.
The Science behind the scenes
What does it take to develop a shampoo that performs just as well on curly hair in the Gulf’s humid climate? Or an automatic dishwashing formula that can cut through the toughest spice and oil residues left behind by regional cuisines? The answer increasingly involves robots.
MERLIN, or rather Henkel’s Miniaturized Evaluation Robot for Laundry Ingredients, can test dozens of detergent formulations in the time it would take a human team to test just a handful. FRIDA, the Formulation Robot for Ingredients Dosing Assessment, handles raw materials with precision measured in micrograms, enabling us to perfect complex formulations faster than ever before. Add to that our specialized robots that create real kitchen stains, enabling product testing under authentic conditions. Henkel’s Biophysical Lab is also equipped with state-of-the-art robots for testing hair products, giving you a global R&D engine that is truly firing on all cylinders.
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When AI meets Chemistry
But robotics is only half the story. At Henkel, we are equipping our R&D scientists to see artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as a trusted co-pilot in the lab. By combining AI with traditional Design of Experiment methodologies, our teams are learning to harness its power with confidence; using it to explore more possibilities, identify winning formulations earlier, and reduce trial-and-error. This shift not only accelerates innovation but also builds a culture where our scientists feel empowered and comfortable working alongside AI to conserve resources and unlock new potential.
We're not replacing human ingenuity, we're amplifying it. These technologies free our teams to focus on creative problem-solving while automated systems handle the repetitive heavy lifting. The result? More consumer-meaningful products reaching shelves faster.
Moncef Barhoumi, Henkel Head of R&D for High Growth Region
The impact goes beyond the lab. For our consumers in the GCC, this translates into products that deliver tangible improvements: laundry detergents that actually get clothes cleaner, dishwashing solutions that leave cutlery spotless and haircare products formulated with quality and consistency you can count on.
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Sami Abdallah, Henkel Head of Strategy, Governance & Product Stewardship for Consumer Brands in the High Growth Region, shares the bigger picture, tying it to one of our key markets in the region:
Our automation journey aligns perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030's emphasis on digital transformation and sustainability. By reducing waste, optimizing resources, and accelerating innovation, we're not just supporting the Kingdom's ambitions, we're living them.
Sami Abdallah, Henkel Head of Strategy, Governance & Product Stewardship for Consumer Brands
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