German detergents-to-glue group Henkel AG said its China sales jumped 48 percent to 4.8 billion yuan (US$700 million) last year, despite the difficult economic period.

Comparatively, its global sales rose 8.1 percent to 14.1 billion euros (US$17.9 billion) last year.

Henkel's acquisition of most of National Starch and Chemical Co in April helped boost its sales of industrial adhesives globally, particularly in Asia. The Asia Pacific accounted for 11 percent of Henkel's global sales last year, a rise from 8 percent a year earlier.

"We finished last year with many success stories, seeing growth and gaining market share in Asia and particularly in China," Jan-Dirk Auris, president of Henkel Asia Pacific, said in Shanghai, adding he's confident of maintaining and even lifting the "quality of our business" in China.

Henkel's diversified product offering, ranging from detergents to cosmetics and adhesives, helps it weather the global economic slowdown. Even so, Auris said the businesses for adhesives for building, automotive and electronics sectors are feeling the pinch in particular.

(Shanghai Daily March 2, 2009)