Future possibilities

We are proud of our reputation as a world leader in research and development through innovation and renovation.

Healthier choice

Food doesn't just sustain us, it can nourish and revitalise us. Unilever is committed to making the healthier choice an easier choice.

Walls icecream

Imagine: A low fat ice cream with full fat quality

As the market leader in ice cream, we continuously invest in R&D to further improve our ice cream products. Our experts focus on using natural ingredients and minimising fat, sugar and calories without compromising on taste and enjoyment.

Our innovation

  • Our investment

    € 928m

    In 2010 Unilever spent €928m on research & development.

  • Our people

    6000 +

    Currently we have over 6000 people working in R&D in all Unilever regions across the globe.

  • Our inventions

    300 +

    We typically file between 250 & 350 new patent applications a year.

  • Our intellectual property

    20 000

    Worldwide we have over 20 000 registered patents & patent applications.

Our R&D experts

Rosemary, Unilever Development Nutrition Manager

Rosemary, Development Nutrition Manager, Durban, South Africa

I am learning every day, especially about partnership management.

Our R&D centres

Testing jars in our R&D lab in Cisterna

Unilever R&D, Shanghai

R&D in Shanghai focuses on synthetic chemistry and traditional Chinese medicine.