Bigger, better, faster innovation

We are proud of our reputation as a world leader in research and development. We’re using breakthrough technology to get bigger and better innovations into the market faster.

New study into unhealthy ageing

High blood sugar levels make you look older, new research suggests

Man frowning at his wrinkles

High blood sugar levels and ageing

A study jointly carried out by Leiden University Medical Center and Unilever R&D has identified, for the first time, a relationship between people's blood sugar levels and their perceived facial age.

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.

Collaborating with us

Family with glasses of water

Clean, safe & affordable water

Pureit products address one of the biggest technological challenges the world faces: the provision of safe drinking water.

Our R&D locations

Exterior of Colworth Research and Development facility

Unilever R&D, Colworth

The Colworth lab is part of an innovation eco-system where Unilever R&D, entrepreneurs and academics (the site is near Oxford and Cambridge universities) can network and collaborate.

Some of our locations worldwide