HUL invests USD 241M to scale premium beauty and liquid home care

INDIA – Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has unveiled plans to invest up to ₹2,000 crore (USD 241 million) to expand its manufacturing capabilities, targeting the surging demand in premium segments of Beauty & Wellbeing and Home Care liquids. 

This two-year initiative across several sites aligns with the company’s “fewer, bigger bets” approach, bolstering its foothold in high-growth areas like premium skincare, hair care, personal care, and liquid home care products.

Priya Nair, HUL’s CEO and Managing Director, stated, “This investment reflects our strategic focus on scaling our brands and creating categories of the future to meet evolving consumer needs.” 

“It also underscores our commitment to building a resilient, technology-enabled supply chain that delivers superior value to consumers.”

HUL’s move capitalizes on the “premium shift” in consumer preferences, where shoppers increasingly favour upscale beauty and home care liquids amid evolving lifestyles. 

The expansion emphasizes advanced automation and digital tools to streamline supply chains, boost responsiveness to market changes, and support new retail channels effectively.

New facilities will adhere strictly to HUL’s green goals, aiming for full operation on renewable energy sources to minimize environmental impact. 

Meanwhile, HUL released its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, showing consolidated revenue growth of 6% to Rs. 16,235 crores (USD 1.96 billion). 

The company achieved 5% underlying sales growth (USG), driven by 4% underlying volume growth (UVG), while EBITDA rose 3% to Rs. 3,788 crores (USD 456 million) with a margin of 23.3%. 

Reported profit after tax surged 121% to Rs. 6,603 crores (USD 796 million), boosted by a one-off gain from the Ice Cream demerger, though profit after tax before exceptional items grew 1% to Rs. 2,562 crores (USD 309 million).

Home Care posted 3% USG with mid-single-digit UVG, despite pricing pressures from earlier actions.

Fabric Wash saw mid-single-digit UVG, with liquids growing double-digit and Vim liquid leading Household Care’s double-digit UVG. 

Market development efforts focused on premium powders, such as the Surf Excel Easy Wash pack, to boost penetration and upgrades.

Beauty & Wellbeing segment delivered 6% USG and low-single-digit UVG, with Hair Care achieving double-digit volume-led growth via premium brands Dove and TRESemmé.

Skin Care and Colour Cosmetics benefited from light moisturisers and winter products, while Health & Wellbeing grew high double-digit. 

Personal Care grew 6%, with mid-single-digit growth in Skin Cleansing, led by double-digit rises in Pears and Dove body wash. 

Oral Care also hit double-digit growth, powered by Closeup, with the new Close Up Intense Cool offering zinc and cooling beads for freshness.

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