Persil Ultimate Active Clean liquid detergent

Persil is one of the most recognizable laundry detergent brands globally, featuring a unique dual-ownership history. Originally developed in 1907 by Fritz Henkel in Germany, the brand name is a portmanteau of its original active ingredients: perborate and silicate. While it remains a flagship product for Henkel in most parts of the world, the rights to the brand in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia, and New Zealand were historically acquired by Unilever.

Today, the manufacturing of Persil products occurs in various regional hubs to support local markets. For example, Unilever-branded Persil is largely produced in the United Kingdom and Europe for those specific territories. The Ultimate range, including the Active Clean variant, is marketed as a premium bio detergent focused on high-performance stain removal and odour control through advanced enzyme technology.

Ownership of the Persil brand remains divided between two of the world's largest consumer goods companies: Unilever and Henkel. As of 2026, Unilever continues to manage the brand in its designated territories, focusing on sustainability through recyclable packaging and cold-wash effectiveness, while Henkel maintains ownership throughout the rest of the globe.