Unilever plans to open a $270 million Global Innovation Centre in the USA by spring 2029 – bringing packaging innovation under the same roof as other R&D processes to streamline collaboration and accelerate product development.
Envisioned as a ‘leading hub’ for Unilever’s research and development processes across its personal care, beauty and wellbeing business, the centre will be located in what the company describes as one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation clusters for biosciences in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
All R&D capabilities will take place under one roof, from formulation and fragrance creation to packaging design and consumer insights. These co-located operations are expected to unlock end-to-end integration, helping business units collaborate more easily and increase new product turnaround.
Specifically, its packaging innovation studio will incorporate real-time consumer feedback into the physical and digital development of prototypes. This is hoped to help designers achieve their desired functionalities faster.
Expected to be powered by AI and emerging quantum capabilities, the digital-first facility is set to offer deeper insights and help the company differentiate its product categories through aesthetic redesigns, scientific and sensorial reformulation, and more.
The centre’s location is also set to unlock access to ‘leading’ biosciences and the emerging quantum ecosystem, and to facilitate partnerships with experts, academics, technology partners and consumers.
As well as boosting its growth strategy in the U.S. market, the move is hoped to increase the desirability and growth of Unilever brands internationally, with the company claiming to serve 3.7 billion people worldwide every day.
Unilever plans to invest $260 million in the project over the long term – this includes $50 million in capital expenditure – with total combined investment of public and private funds expected to exceed $300 million. The decision is another step in Unilever’s $15 billion investment in the U.S. market over the last ten years, expected to drive both national and international growth for the company.
Approximately 300 employees will work at the new centre, and it will succeed Unilever’s existing R&D facility in Trumbull, Connecticut.
“New Haven gets us to the future faster,” explains Herrish Patel, president of Unilever USA and CEO of Personal Care North America. “Our Global Innovation Centre is where we’ll innovate at the intersection of science, technology and culture — for the U.S. and for the world. We will build on our deep heritage of innovation to develop the next generation of brands and products that people love.
“As part of Unilever’s global network of innovation hubs, the centre will connect closely with our other leading locations worldwide, sharing technology, insights, and breakthrough ideas to accelerate innovation at scale. As the U.S. becomes a centre of gravity for Unilever, we’re harnessing the best of American innovation to match our growth ambition here in the U.S. and around the world.”
“Behind every Unilever product is world-leading science that delivers superior performance, combined with design, fragrance and sensory experiences that make our brands distinctive,” continues Richard Slater, Unilever’s chief Research & Development officer. “Our new Global Innovation Centre will bring these capabilities together to develop new, category-defining innovations in the U.S., and scale globally.
“The real shift here is integration and speed: science, design and sensorials working as one, with AI and partnerships accelerating every stage of innovation.”
“Unilever’s decision to make this investment in New Haven reaffirms Connecticut’s global reputation as a leader in innovation, research and development, and discovery,” adds Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “This innovation centre will serve as an important foundational piece for this burgeoning hub that will not only strengthen New Haven’s existing tech centres but will also boost our innovation ecosystem statewide.
“I am glad we have Unilever as a valued member of Connecticut’s growing business community, and I look forward to this company continuing to succeed here for many years to come.”
The announcement comes as The LEGO Group officially opens its first dedicated global manufacturing centre for the development, testing and scaling of processes and technologies. This includes a test and innovation centre for new LEGO packaging, moulds and more; a materials lab for research into more sustainable raw materials; and an additive manufacturing centre for experimentation and development using advanced 3D manufacturing capabilities.
It also follows the announcement that Unilever would combine its food business with McCormick & Company and form a global portfolio with estimated revenues of $20 billion. Thought to be ‘in the best interests’ of Unilever’s shareholders, the company has now set its sights on becoming a leading pureplay home and personal care company, citing €39 billion in revenues based on the fiscal year 2025.
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