Unilever Investment Boosts Science, Technology and Innovation Capabilities in India

Unilever announced a new €35 million investment to boost its research and development activities in India, transforming its Mumbai and Bengaluru hubs into AI-powered innovation centres and establishing a dedicated Bio-Futures cooperation platform.

The Anglo-Dutch consumer products company announced that the Mumbai site will be rebranded as a "Product Innovation Centre", bringing together AI-driven customer insights, fast prototyping, product and packaging design, and scale-up capabilities under one roof.

The Bengaluru hub will remain a worldwide scientific and technology centre, with core research platforms, digital and AI capabilities, and India Foods R&D.

The initiative builds on Unilever's previous investment of over €20 million in India R&D infrastructure over the last five years, which included a Liquids Lab of the Future, an in-house Fragrance House, and AI and digital modelling platforms.

The two India hubs employ approximately 800 scientists, researchers, digital professionals, and designers, making it one of Unilever's largest R&D facilities worldwide.

Separately, Unilever has set aside €5 million over five years for a Bio-Futures relationship in India, which aims to integrate its worldwide R&D pipeline with India's bioscience ecosystem. Microbiome science, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and artificial intelligence-enabled biology are among the focus topics.

Chief R&D Officer Richard Slater stated that the investment would result in a "more connected way of innovating" by combining science, design, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and fast prototyping. HUL Managing Director and CEO Priya Nair cited India's status as one of the world's fastest-growing big economies, as well as its developing prominence in biosciences and biomanufacturing, as key motivators for the commitment.

Source: Unilever