On the map
We have more than 6000 scientists, engineers, chefs and technicians working around the globe inventing new and improving existing products to delight consumers everywhere.
One unified organisation
Successful collaboration ensures our experts' collective minds are brought together as one R&D organization to help create the products for which we're so well-known. We do this through our six strategic R&D laboratories that focus on delivering ground-breaking technologies and our 31 major development centres that develop and implement product innovations. Additionally, throughout 92 locations around the globe we have R&D teams implementing innovations in countries and our factories.
Our six strategic laboratories
Our strategic research and development laboratories are located in the UK, the Netherlands, the US, China and India.
Port Sunlight, UK
Around 800 employees work to combine understanding in biosciences, neuroscience, sensory science, material science, physical sciences, process science, measurement science, data modelling and HTS that contribute to brands including Omo, Dove, Sunsilk, Rexona, Axe, Domestos, Cif, Signal.
Colworth, UK
Around 650 employees at our laboratory at Colworth specialise in the areas of plant science, cell and molecular biology, genomics, health psychology, social science, imaging, biomechanical measurement and advanced web communications contributing to brands including Lipton, PG Tips, Flora / Becel, Magnum and Solero.
Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
More than 1000 employees and over 40 nationalities at our centre in Vlaardingen focus on the areas of bioscience, nutrition & health, sensation, perception & behaviour, structured material and process sciences, advanced measurement and data modelling.
Trumbull, US
Besides expertise in the areas of cell & molecular biology and imaging, the 400 employees at our Trumbull centre also work in packaging design and engineering, process design and engineering and information technology and management.
Bangalore, India
Around 300 employees work in Bangalore and this site specialises in the areas of Microbiology, Virology and Microstructure Creation. Focussing on foods and beverages for South East Asia, the centre contributes to brands including Lifebuoy, Pureit, Ponds, Fair and Lovely, Radiant, Omo, Brooke Bond, Lipton, Walls and Knorr. Unilever's recent initiative on water purification was driven predominantly out of this laboratory.
Shanghai, China
With approximately 430 employees, our Shanghai research centre provides expertise capabilities in synthetic and mechanistic chemistry and traditional Chinese medicine. Focussing on global research and development of hair and skin products, the centre contributes to brands including Clear, Lux, Hazeline, Zhong Hua, Wall’s, Ponds, Lipton, Knorr, Vaseline, Rexona, Omo and Comfort.
