Statement on FTC Win Blocking Loctite, Liquid Nails Construction Adhesive Merger
The Federal Trade Commission secured an important victory in the fight to lower the cost of housing construction materials for Americans by preventing German multinational Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Henkel), the manufacturer of the industry-leading Loctite brand construction adhesives, from acquiring Loctite’s main competitor, Liquid Nails. On August 14, 2026, after a seven-day trial, the U.S.…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) achieved a significant victory in its efforts to reduce the expenses associated with construction materials for American consumers by preventing German multinational corporation Henkel AG & Co. KGaA from acquiring its main competitor, Loctite's primary rival, Liquid Nails. This win was secured on August 14, 2026, after a seven-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where the FTC successfully obtained a permanent injunction to block Henkel's proposed $725 million acquisition of Liquid Nails from private equity firm American Industrial Partners.
The FTC's lawsuit was initiated in December 2025, stating that Henkel's acquisition of Liquid Nails would result in reduced competition between Loctite and Liquid Nails. This, in turn, would lead to higher prices, inferior products, and diminished innovation, all detrimental to American consumers. The FTC's decision to challenge the deal was made following a review of the shelves of hardware stores and home improvement retailers, where it was evident that a merger between Loctite and Liquid Nails would negatively impact American consumers.
Upon learning of the court's decision, FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Anyone who looked at the construction adhesives shelves of a hardware store or home improvement retailer could see that a merger between Loctite and Liquid Nails would be a bad deal for Americans." The district court's ruling ensures that Americans will continue to benefit from competition between Loctite and Liquid Nails, resulting in lower prices and higher-quality products.
Guarnera also extended his congratulations to the FTC's trial team, led by the Mergers II division with assistance from the Litigation Group, for their efforts in this crucial matter. The Trump-Vance FTC remains committed to its mission of lowering housing costs for Americans by enforcing the nation's antitrust laws.
Written by urgent.news from FTC Competition's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
