The first face-off takes place tomorrow to set the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship in motion, and Henkel will be present as a major sponsor, promoting the Henkel corporate brand, as well as the product brands Ceresit and Persil. This sponsorship is an extension of Henkel's corporate strategy focusing on high-caliber, international events.

From April 27 to May 13, 16 national teams will be facing each other in 56 scheduled matches as they compete for this year's title of world champions. The games will take place in Moscow and Mytischi.

The World Ice Hockey Championship is the biggest sports event in Russia since the 1980 Olympic Games, and for this reason is of particular interest to Henkel. Russia counts among the growth markets on which Henkel is especially focused.

The Championship will provide Henkel as an official sponsor with a wide audience in over 50 different countries: more than 700 million people will be watching the televised broadcast as the excitement unfolds.

For many years, Henkel has been involved in a range of sports events at national and international levels. The manufacturer of popular consumer products is a 12-year sponsor of the DEG Metro Stars in Germany's top ice hockey league. Other international sports events that Henkel supports include the World Handball Championship, the Beach Volley Ball Grand Slam Tournament in Paris (France) and Klagenfurt (Austria), and the sponsorship of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team in Formula 1.

In North America, Henkel markets a range of well-known consumer and industrial brands, including Dial® soap, Purex® laundry detergent, Right Guard® antiperspirants, got2b® hair gels, Duck® brand duct tape, and Loctite® adhesives.

"Henkel - A Brand like a Friend." Henkel is a leader with brands and technologies that make people's lives easier, better and more beautiful. Henkel, a Fortune Global 500 company, operates in three strategic business areas - Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatment. In fiscal 2006 Henkel generated sales of 12.740 billion euros. More than 50,000 employees work for Henkel worldwide. People in approximately 125 countries around the world trust in brands and technologies from Henkel.