Henkel says CEO to quit early

Frankfurt - Henkel, the German maker of Persil washing powder, says its chief executive Kasper Rorsted is to step down prematurely, triggering speculation he could go to sportswear giant Adidas.

Henkel said in a statement that its supervisory board had "agreed unanimously and by mutual agreement to Kasper Rorsted's request to prematurely terminate his position" as CEO as of April 30.

The 54-year-old Dane would be replaced by board member Hans Van Bylen, the statement said.

Rorsted has been at the helm of the consumer chemicals giant - which also makes Loctite glue and Schwarzkopf hair care products - since 2008 and his contract had originally been scheduled to run until the end of 2017.

His early departure has triggered much speculation about where he could go next, as media reports have suggested he could join sports shoe maker Adidas.

The contract of Adidas' current CEO, Herbert Hainer, is scheduled to expire in March 2017.