Unilever unveils fragrance lab in Connecticut as part of USD 117.5M global investment

USA – Unilever has launched a state-of-the-art fragrance laboratory in Trumbull, Connecticut, as part of a €100 million (USD 117.47 million) global investment to enhance its in-house fragrance design capabilities. 

This move strengthens Unilever’s innovation strategy for its personal care, home care, and beauty brands, including Dove, Persil, and TRESemmé. 

The Trumbull lab, housed within Unilever’s existing R&D facility, aims to enhance fragrance development by integrating advanced science, AI, and consumer insights to create scents that resonate deeply with consumers.

It utilises robotics for blending fragrance oils, real-time data analytics, and neuroscience techniques to investigate how scents affect mood and well-being. 

Paula Campos, associate director, Unilever US Fragrance Creative Centre, stated, “The opening of our US fragrance lab is a bold step forward in accelerating how we innovate.”

“This milestone strengthens our local expertise in a key market and equips our teams to move faster, combining cutting-edge science, digital technologies, and consumer insight to craft more meaningful brand experiences with fragrances that truly resonate.”

The Trumbull lab follows the launch of Unilever’s first in-house fragrance, inspired by the Dove Rose Berry Bouquet range and TikTok trends like Regency Romance. 

It complements a planned £80 million(USD 103 million) UK fragrance facility in Port Sunlight, set for 2027, reinforcing Unilever’s global R&D network. 

This strategic move aims to enhance fragrance development across Unilever’s home care, personal care and beauty & wellbeing brands, including Dove, Persil, Rexona (known as Sure in the UK), and TRESemmé. 

The new facility will feature a Fragrance Research & Innovation Lab, a compounding unit for blending and refining scents, and evaluation suites where fragrances will be tested for performance and consumer appeal. 

This investment is part of Unilever’s broader £300 million(USD 401 million) commitment to strengthening the UK’s R&D sector, including upgrading its offices, research facilities, and factories over the next two years.

In addition to technological advancements, Unilever is set to invest in talent acquisition, recruiting industry-leading perfumers, fragrance evaluators, and ingredient technologists to drive innovation. 

The company aims to reinvent fragrance creation by combining science, AI, and robotics, ensuring that its products deliver distinctive, high-quality scents that resonate with consumers.

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