L’Oréal commits USD 383M to launch tech hub in Hyderabad

INDIA – L’Oréal, the French cosmetics leader, plans to invest over USD 383 million in a new beauty tech hub in Hyderabad, India, marking a major push into AI-driven innovation.

This development, announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, underscores the company’s strategy to leverage India’s tech talent to advance the global beauty industry.

The initial outlay exceeds 35 billion rupees (USD 383 million), with the hub set to generate around 2,000 high-skilled tech jobs by 2030. 

It will function as a flagship centre for pioneering AI-powered beauty solutions, harnessing data, generative AI, agentic AI, genetic AI, and other cutting-edge technologies. 

This facility accelerates L’Oréal’s rollout of personalized, tech-enhanced beauty experiences amid intensifying industry competition.

L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus sealed the agreement with Telangana state officials at Davos, capitalizing on Hyderabad’s rise as a southern India tech powerhouse. 

The hub integrates into L’Oréal’s worldwide network of tech centres spanning France, the USA, China, Singapore, Spain, Poland, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. Hieronimus highlighted India’s top-tier AI and engineering skills as pivotal to this global ambition.

L’Oréal has maintained a strong presence in India for over 31 years, viewing it as a dynamic beauty market and key tech base. 

The initiative builds on this foundation, positioning Hyderabad at the core of beauty’s evolution through science, technology, and creativity. 

Meanwhile, mid-last year, L’Oréal announced an ambitious expansion plan in India, positioning the country as a key growth market amid its global growth strategy.

L’Oréal aims to more than double its business in India over the coming years, leveraging local manufacturing capabilities and increasing its footprint in the region.

According to L’Oréal, it currently produces 95% of the products sold domestically, with its factories also serving as hubs for exports to the Gulf region. 

The company manufactures approximately half a billion units annually, a figure set to rise as production capacity scales. 

This expansion aligns with India’s rapidly evolving beauty and personal care sector, where demand for premium and innovative products continues to grow.

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