Unilever has announced plans to build its first-ever U.S. global innovation center in New Haven, Connecticut, a $270 million investment that represents the company's biggest research and development commitment in America in 40 years. The facility will employ around 300 people when fully operational by spring 2029, with construction beginning later this year.
The 525,000-square-foot building will focus on Unilever's U.S. beauty, personal care and wellbeing brands. It will include a human performance lab for testing ingestibles like vitamins and health supplements, a fragrance center where perfumists, chemists and packaging designers collaborate, and a packaging innovation studio that incorporates real-time consumer feedback into prototype development.
The facility will run on artificial intelligence and advanced computing technologies. Unilever said it will use quantum computing and machine learning models to guide product development. Herrish Patel, president of Unilever USA and CEO of personal care North America, said the center will "innovate at the intersection of science, technology and culture" and harness American innovation to fuel growth in the U.S. and globally.
Location and workforce
The hub will be located at 2 Church Street in New Haven on a vacant stretch of publicly owned land between Temple Street and Church Street. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker highlighted the project as part of the city's expanding bioscience and research sector. He noted that New Haven is experiencing rapid growth, with cranes in the sky and people relocating for business and residency.
Financial commitment
Unilever said it will invest $270 million over the long term, including $50 million in capital expenditure. The company frames this as its largest U.S. research and development investment in four decades.
Strategic rationale
Patel emphasized that 95 percent of American households use Unilever products every day and that the company is building a dedicated beauty and wellbeing business in the U.S. driven by strong brands. He cited New Haven's opportunity for collaboration with universities like Yale and the city's commitment to technology and innovation as reasons for the location choice. He also noted that if a product works with American consumers, the culture and appeal can spread globally.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont used the announcement to highlight the state's resurgence in research and development as a driver of economic growth, noting Connecticut was one of the slowest growing states a decade ago but is now one of the fastest growing.