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Unilever Opens New Fragrance Hub in Mumbai to Strengthen Global Innovation
Unilever has opened a new Unilever Fragrance House (UFH) hub in Mumbai as part of its €100 million global investment to strengthen in-house fragrance development capabilities.
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The new facility is located at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Powai campus in Mumbai and forms part of Unilever’s global fragrance innovation network. The company said the investment is aimed at accelerating product innovation and supporting premium growth across its portfolio.
New Facility to Support Fragrance Development
The Mumbai hub is a 400-square-metre integrated fragrance creation, application and evaluation facility. It is equipped with fragrance creation software, advanced compounding technologies and real-time evaluation systems.
According to Unilever, the lab will allow teams to design, test and refine fragrances from concept to final product. Dedicated evaluation spaces will help simulate local market conditions and consumer preferences during product development.
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The facility will also work closely with academic institutions, particularly IIT Bombay, in areas such as science, technology and digital fragrance innovation.
Focus on AI and Consumer Insights
Unilever said the new hub will use artificial intelligence (AI), digital modelling, robotics and real-time data analytics to speed up fragrance development.
The company also plans to use neuroscience-based research methods to study how fragrances influence consumer emotions such as mood and confidence. These insights will be used to develop fragrances for products including shampoos, body washes, deodorants and laundry detergents.
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Jane Maciver, incoming Head of Unilever Fragrance House, said the India hub will help the company combine science, creativity and digital technology to develop fragrances that are relevant to local consumers while also being scalable globally.
India’s Growing Role in Unilever’s R&D Strategy
Unilever said India is one of its key growth markets, with increasing consumer demand for premium products and experiences. The company believes the new hub will help it respond more quickly to changing consumer preferences.
Vibhav Sanzgiri, Chief R&D Officer, India, said the facility will enable faster movement from consumer insight to product innovation and help create more distinctive products for local and global markets.
The Mumbai hub is the latest addition to Unilever’s global fragrance network. The company said the investment will strengthen its ability to develop new products faster while maintaining partnerships with external fragrance houses.
With the launch of the new facility, India further strengthens its position as an important R&D and innovation centre within Unilever’s global operations.
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About the Author
Sheetal Singh
Contributing Writer