Innovation in Unilever

Brands and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. In Unilever, research and development (R&D) is the home of breakthrough technology for bigger, better, faster innovations. 

Success for us means creating products that keep pace with changes in consumer lifestyles and that appeal to people at all income levels.

Professor Geneviève Berger and Michael Polk

Our leadership

Professor Geneviève Berger, Chief Research & Development Officer and Michael Polk, President Global Foods, Home and Personal Care outline how we combine global strength in R&D with local knowledge to create unique products with proven benefits for consumers.

Scientist at Unilever’s R&D centre in Shanghai

Overview of research & development in Unilever

The R&D function at Unilever employs over 6,000 professionals located in 20 countries spanning the globe from Mexico to Australia.

Scientist checks the fragrance of washing powder

Expertise in Unilever

The journey from idea to branded product is only achieved with the collective expertise of our R&D professionals.

Women in supermarket with child, motion blur.

Ethics of human research

The Central Research Ethics Advisory Group (CREAG) advises the company on the ethics of involving human subjects in research studies. Its aim is to ensure that this remains an intrinsic part of Unilever’s R&D culture, and that Unilever operates to the highest ethical standards in this area.