Somat is a German-origin automatic dishwashing detergent brand owned by Henkel, the German multinational chemical and consumer-goods company. The brand specializes in products designed for dishwashers, including detergent tablets, gels/capsules, rinse-aid-related products, dishwasher cleaners, and other machine-care products. Henkel describes Somat as an expert in automatic dishwashing and positions it around cleaning performance, convenience, and product innovation. 1

Somat was introduced by Henkel in 1962 in Germany, making it one of Henkel’s long-established home-care brands. Henkel says the original Somat product was the first detergent in Germany specifically developed for use in dishwashers. 2

1962 — The beginning

Somat was launched in Germany in 1962 as a detergent specifically designed for automatic dishwashers.

This was relatively pioneering for the period because dishwashers were still uncommon household appliances and were considered a luxury. Somat therefore emerged alongside the growing adoption of automatic dishwashing technology. 3

1989 — Dishwasher tablets

A major milestone came in 1989, when Somat introduced dishwasher detergent in tablet form.

According to Somat’s official history, it was the first brand to introduce dishwasher detergent tablets, and the format subsequently became a standard form of automatic dishwasher detergent. Henkel’s own historical records also document Somat dishwasher detergent tablets in 1989.

1999 — Somat 2 in 1

In 1999, Somat introduced Somat 2 in 1, incorporating rinse-aid functionality into the detergent system.

Henkel’s 2000 annual report described Somat 2 in 1 as its first multifunctional automatic dishwasher detergent, reflecting a broader shift toward products combining several dishwasher functions into one formulation.

2008 — Dishwasher gel

Somat expanded beyond traditional detergent formats with Somat Perfect Gel in 2008.

The gel was designed to dissolve quickly and begin cleaning rapidly, giving consumers an alternative to powder and tablets.

2013–2014 — Multifunctional products and Somat Gold

Somat subsequently expanded its premium and multifunctional range.

Products such as Somat Multi Gel Tabs / Gel Caps were developed as pre-dosed products intended to combine convenience with cleaning and shine. Somat Gold was positioned as a higher-performance product for difficult food residues, particularly dried starch residues.

2015 — Gold Gel

Henkel introduced Somat Gold Gel, using a two-phase formulation in a two-chamber bottle. Henkel said the formulation was designed to tackle difficult grease while helping protect the dishwasher, including its filter, from grease accumulation.

2016 — Phosphate-free formulations

One of the more important environmental developments occurred in 2016.

Henkel reported that its European Somat automatic-dishwashing products became phosphate-free from April 2016. The company replaced phosphates with citric-acid-based chemistry as part of its formulation changes. Henkel stated that Somat phosphate-free products were then available in more than 20 countries, with international implementation continuing.

Somat also introduced a dishwasher cleaner that could be used while the dishwasher was fully loaded, rather than requiring an empty cleaning cycle. Henkel presented this as an innovation capable of saving water and energy.

Somat’s portfolio is broader than simply “dishwasher tablets.”

Dishwasher tablets

Tablets are arguably Somat’s most recognizable product format. They are pre-dosed and designed to simplify automatic dishwashing.

Modern Somat ranges include products such as Somat Gold, with increasingly multifunctional formulations. Henkel currently describes Somat Gold tablets as premium products with multiple functions, including technologies aimed at difficult, baked-on or burnt food residues. 4

Gel and gel capsules

Somat has also developed liquid/gel-based formats.

Current and recent products include Somat Gold Gel and Somat Gel Caps. Henkel describes Gold Gel as a two-chamber formulation combining different cleaning technologies, while Gel Caps are designed to provide a pre-dosed gel-only format.

Dishwasher cleaners

Somat also produces products intended to clean the dishwasher itself, rather than simply the dishes.

These products target deposits such as grease and limescale and can help maintain the dishwasher’s internal components. Henkel’s 2016 launch specifically emphasized cleaning areas including spray arms and filters.

Additives

Depending on the market, Somat’s portfolio includes dishwasher additives and products addressing functions such as:

• Rinsing and shine
• Water hardness / limescale protection
• Dishwasher hygiene
• Machine cleaning
• Specialized cleaning performance

The exact product lineup varies substantially by country. Henkel describes Somat as having a broad portfolio of cleaners and additives rather than a single standardized global range.

Somat’s history is particularly notable for its emphasis on format and formulation innovation.

Its major innovations include:

1. Specialized dishwasher detergent — 1962
   A detergent specifically developed for automatic dishwashers.

2. Dishwasher tablets — 1989
   Somat pioneered the tablet format according to its official brand history.

3. 2-in-1 detergent — 1999
   Detergent and rinse-aid functionality were combined into one system.

4. Fast-dissolving gel — 2008
   Somat expanded into liquid/gel formulations.

5. Multifunctional tabs/caps
   The brand progressively combined cleaning, shine and machine-care functions into single doses.

6. Phosphate-free formulations — 2016
   Henkel reformulated its European Somat dishwasher detergents without phosphates.

7. Machine-care innovation
   Somat developed dishwasher-cleaning products designed to work even with a loaded machine.

Somat is not an independent dishwasher-detergent company. It is a brand within Henkel’s consumer-products business.

Henkel is a major German multinational whose businesses include adhesives, beauty care and laundry/home care. Within home care, Somat sits alongside other household brands and focuses specifically on automatic dishwashing.

Henkel currently describes Somat as “the expert in dishwashing” and says the brand holds a No. 1 or No. 2 position in 70% of its active countries.

Although Somat originated in Germany, it has become an international brand.

It is particularly established across Europe, including markets such as Germany, Austria, Spain and Poland. Henkel also markets Somat in numerous other countries.

The brand is not necessarily called Somat in every market. Henkel has historically used Pril for some dishwashing products in certain countries; its sustainability reporting specifically notes that Somat is marketed as Pril in some markets.

This means that Somat’s global footprint is somewhat different from simply counting countries where the word “Somat” appears on the packaging.

Somat’s central positioning can be summarized as:

A specialist brand for automatic dishwasher cleaning.

Unlike a general household-cleaning brand, Somat’s identity is closely tied to the dishwasher ecosystem.

Its selling points generally revolve around four themes:

• Cleaning power — removing grease, dried food, starch and other difficult residues.
• Convenience — particularly through pre-dosed tablets and capsules.
• Shine — helping dishes and glassware come out clean and bright.
• Machine care — products designed to maintain and clean the dishwasher itself.

Henkel’s current description emphasizes “superior cleaning results” and a portfolio of cleaners and additives designed around automatic dishwashing.

Environmental considerations have increasingly influenced Somat’s product development.

The most significant documented milestone is the 2016 elimination of phosphates from Somat’s European automatic-dishwashing detergents. Henkel said the reformulation was technically challenging because dishwasher detergents have to balance multiple functions, including cleaning performance, tablet stability and rapid dissolution.

Somat has also promoted products and dishwasher programs designed to operate effectively at lower temperatures and shorter cycles. Henkel’s Austrian Somat site, for example, describes newer formulations developed for ECO and short programs.

It is worth distinguishing these specific formulation/product claims from broader claims about overall environmental impact: a dishwasher detergent being phosphate-free does not, by itself, mean that its entire lifecycle is environmentally neutral.

Somat’s history is closely connected to the development of the automatic dishwasher itself.

The brand began when dishwashers were still relatively uncommon. Its subsequent product innovations followed the evolution of consumer expectations:

Powder/liquid detergent → tablets → multifunctional tablets → gels/capsules → specialized machine-care products.

In this sense, Somat’s history is not simply the history of a cleaning brand. It is also an example of how household-cleaning products evolved as dishwashers became mainstream.

As of 2026, Somat remains a Henkel brand focused on automatic dishwashing. Its portfolio includes premium dishwasher tablets, gels, gel caps, machine cleaners and other dishwasher-related products.

Henkel’s current corporate material identifies Somat as a major consumer brand and describes it as “the expert in dishwashing.”

In one sentence, Somat is Henkel’s German-origin specialist dishwasher-care brand, founded in 1962 and known particularly for pioneering dishwasher detergent tablets, developing multifunctional automatic-dishwashing products, and expanding into modern gels, capsules and dishwasher-machine care.

Official resources

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1. Somat – Automatic Dishingwashing Products – Henkel
2. Somat
3. Somat | Unsere Geschichte: seit 1962
4. Środki do zmywarek Somat
5. Somat – Automatische Geschirrspülprodukte – Henkel