Unilever to Build $270 Million Global Innovation Centre in the U.S. to Accelerate Product & Packaging Development
New Haven, Connecticut: Global consumer goods company Unilever has announced plans to establish a $270 million Global Innovation Centre in New Haven, Connecticut, with operations expected to begin by spring 2029. The state-of-the-art facility will bring packaging innovation together with formulation, fragrance development, consumer insights, and digital technologies under one roof, enabling faster collaboration and product innovation.
The new centre will serve as a key research and development hub for Unilever’s Personal Care, Beauty and Wellbeing business. By integrating multiple R&D functions in a single location, the company aims to streamline product development, shorten innovation cycles, and improve collaboration between scientific, design, and consumer research teams.
A dedicated packaging innovation studio will play a central role in the facility. It will allow designers to develop physical and digital prototypes while incorporating real-time consumer feedback, helping create packaging solutions that meet functionality, sustainability, and user experience goals more efficiently.
The innovation hub will also be powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging quantum computing capabilities, enabling advanced data analysis, scientific reformulation, product redesign, and enhanced sensory experiences. The digital-first approach is expected to accelerate innovation while strengthening Unilever’s competitive position across global markets.
Located in New Haven’s rapidly growing biosciences ecosystem, the centre will facilitate collaboration with universities, technology partners, researchers, and industry experts. Unilever believes these partnerships will support breakthrough innovations and strengthen its long-term research capabilities.
The company plans to invest $260 million directly, including $50 million in capital expenditure, while total public and private investment linked to the project is expected to exceed $300 million. The facility will replace Unilever’s existing R&D centre in Trumbull, Connecticut, and employ approximately 300 people.
Herrish Patel, President of Unilever USA and CEO of Personal Care North America, said the new innovation centre will position the company at the intersection of science, technology, and culture, helping develop the next generation of products for consumers worldwide.
Richard Slater, Unilever’s Chief Research & Development Officer, emphasized that combining science, design, sensory expertise, AI, and strategic partnerships under one roof will significantly increase the speed of innovation and enable the company to develop category-leading products for global markets.
The project forms part of Unilever’s broader $15 billion investment in the United States over the past decade, reinforcing its commitment to expanding research, innovation, and manufacturing capabilities while supporting long-term international growth.
