Düsseldorf, Germany/Gulph Mills, Penn., February 9, 2006 - Henkel is the official title sponsor of the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam tournament in Paris,to be held July 25 - 30, 2006. The beach volleyball matches will take place directly on the "Champ de Mars", a large public green space directly adjacent to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, under the official designation, "Henkel Beach Volleyball Grand Slam 2006". In addition, Henkel will continue to sponsor the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam tournament in Klagenfurt, Austria, demonstrating Henkel's solid commitment to this Olympic sport.

"This title sponsorship in Paris enables us to play in the major leagues of this fantastic sport. Team spirit, competition, fair play and emotions characterise beach volleyball, and that is very much in line with our Henkel corporate values. The sponsorship will make us more well-known in France and give us a more emotional image worldwide - that is precisely our target in the upcoming years", says Ernst Primosch, Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications of the Henkel Group, in explaining the company's approach.

A total of 200 matches will be held during the six days of competition, featuring 250 male and female athletes from 40 countries. The arena on the Champ de Mars in Paris will host up to 6,000 fans, who will be able to enjoy world-class beach volleyball free of charge. In this case, Henkel is offering its customers a close-up sporting experience of the highest caliber. The most prominent Henkel brands will also play a role in the overall presentation, appearing under the slogan "Henkel - A Brand like a Friend".

Henkel is also using its beach volleyball sponsorship in Klagenfurt to help raise money for the Vienna institution "Contrast", a group dedicated to the early education of blind and visually impaired children. This project is part of the Henkel-Smile program, the umbrella name for Henkel's worldwide corporate citizenship initiatives.

"Henkel - A Brand like a Friend". Henkel is a leader with brands and technologies that make people's lives easier, better and more beautiful. The Henkel Group, a Fortune Global 500 company, operates in three strategic business areas - Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatment. In fiscal 2005 the Henkel Group generated sales of 11.974 billion euros. More than 50,000 employees work for the Henkel Group worldwide. People in 125 countries around the world trust in brands and technologies from Henkel.