HUL Launches EUR 100 Million Fragrance R&D Hub in Mumbai

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has launched the Unilever Fragrance Hub in Mumbai under its EUR 100 million global investment program aimed at strengthening in-house fragrance innovation.

The new facility marks the third global hub under the initiative and is focused on advancing digitally enabled fragrance creation capabilities.

The hub has been set up at the IIT Bombay campus and is designed to integrate consumer insights, advanced scientific research and artificial intelligence to accelerate product innovation. It will also support HUL’s broader strategy of premiumization across its personal care and home care categories.

According to the company, fragrance has become a key driver of product differentiation and consumer preference across multiple categories, including shampoos, body washes, deodorants and laundry products. The Mumbai center is expected to play a central role in shaping next-generation fragrance solutions for both Indian and global markets.

“We see three models. One wherein we create the entire fragrance in-house with our creative experts and consumer and brand knowledge. The second is where we collaborate with fragrance houses, which will continue. The difference there is that we will now bring our creative expertise. The third is a fully outsourced model,” said Vivek Sirohi, Head of UFH and R&D Partnerships, HUL.

AI and Science-Driven Innovation

The fragrance hub will use AI-powered tools, proprietary software and real-time evaluation systems to design and refine fragrances more efficiently. By combining data-driven insights with traditional fragrance development techniques, the center aims to shorten innovation cycles and improve product performance.

HUL said the facility will enable end-to-end fragrance development from creation and testing to final evaluation, while also allowing seamless collaboration with other global Unilever fragrance hubs.

The company highlighted that India’s large and rapidly evolving consumer base provides valuable data insights, helping design fragrances that can scale across global markets.

Also Read: The Scented Spectrum: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Fragrance Manufacturing

Academic Collaboration at IIT Bombay

A key feature of the new hub is its proximity to IIT Bombay, enabling stronger collaboration with academia. The center will work closely with researchers in science, technology, data analytics and digital innovation to strengthen its R&D capabilities.

This academic integration is expected to support advanced research in fragrance science and enhance HUL’s long-term innovation pipeline.

Strategic Importance for Unilever

Fragrance is increasingly being positioned as a critical growth driver for Unilever’s global portfolio. The company believes that superior fragrance design enhances product experience and strengthens brand loyalty across categories.

HUL executives said the Mumbai hub represents a strategic investment in cutting-edge capabilities that combine science, technology and consumer understanding. India, they noted, is one of Unilever’s most important growth markets and a key innovation engine for the global business.

With the launch of the Unilever Fragrance Hub in Mumbai, HUL is strengthening its R&D footprint in India while accelerating its shift toward AI-led, data-driven product innovation. The center is expected to play a key role in shaping premium fragrance-led products for both domestic and global markets.

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods company and a subsidiary of Unilever. It operates across personal care, home care, and food segments, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and consumer-driven product development in India and global markets.