Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced the inauguration of the Unilever Fragrance Hub in Mumbai, a major addition to Unilever’s global research and innovation network. The facility strengthens India’s position as a strategic growth market and innovation center while enhancing the company’s capabilities in fragrance development, consumer insights, and product experience design.
Located at the IIT Bombay campus, the new hub becomes Unilever’s third global fragrance center, joining existing facilities in the United Kingdom and the United States. The investment forms part of Unilever’s broader €100 million initiative aimed at advancing in-house fragrance creation capabilities through digital technologies, data science, and artificial intelligence.
The Mumbai-based facility brings together fragrance design, application development, evaluation, and testing under one roof. By integrating advanced scientific research with AI-enabled tools and consumer intelligence, the hub is expected to accelerate the development of fragrances across a wide range of product categories, including personal care, home care, beauty, and wellness products.
Fragrance has become an increasingly important factor influencing consumer preference, product differentiation, and premiumization strategies. As one of the fastest-growing consumer markets globally, India provides valuable insights into evolving consumer behaviors, preferences, and regional scent profiles. The new hub will leverage these insights to create fragrance solutions that can serve both domestic and international markets.
The location within IIT Bombay also creates opportunities for deeper collaboration with academia in fields such as data science, digital technologies, chemistry, and advanced product innovation. These partnerships are expected to support future research initiatives while helping accelerate the adoption of next-generation fragrance development methodologies.
Vivek Sirohi, Head of Unilever Fragrance House, said the new facility reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in science-led innovation capabilities. He noted that India plays a vital role in Unilever’s global growth strategy and offers a unique combination of market scale, consumer diversity, and innovation potential.
Vibhav Sanzgiri, Executive Director, Research and Development, Hindustan Unilever Limited, highlighted the importance of fragrance in enhancing product performance and consumer experience. He said the facility combines proprietary creation software, advanced compounding technologies, and real-time evaluation systems, enabling teams to design, test, and refine fragrances more efficiently while collaborating seamlessly with global counterparts.
The launch of the Unilever Fragrance Hub reinforces the company’s continued investment in India as a center for research, innovation, and product development. It also reflects the growing importance of technology-enabled consumer insights in shaping the next generation of products for markets around the world.
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is one of India’s largest and most prominent fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. A subsidiary of the global consumer goods giant Unilever, HUL operates in diverse sectors, including food and beverages, home and personal care, and health and wellness products.
Established in 1933, the company has built a strong portfolio of well-known brands, such as Dove, Lipton, Surf Excel, and Knorr, which have become household names in India and beyond. HUL is renowned for its commitment to sustainability, with initiatives focused on reducing its environmental footprint, promoting responsible sourcing, and supporting community development. As a market leader, HUL continues to adapt to evolving consumer needs, innovating with new products and solutions while maintaining a strong emphasis on quality, trust, and social responsibility.
