DoSSELDORF, Germany - The Henkel Group completed the sale of Cognis, the company's specialty chemicals business, to an investment consortium that includes Permira, GS Capital Partners and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. The deal is valued at 2.5 billion euros.

Henkel, based in DAsseldorf, Germany, said the sale reflects its strategy to focus on its Brands and Technologies businesses, which include Adhesives, Surface Technologies, Laundry and Home Care, and Cosmetics/Toiletries units. Cognis is a supplier of acrylic and polyamide resins, epoxy hardeners, and additives.