View source for Unilever

{{Short description|British multinational consumer goods company}}
{{pp-protected|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Unilever PLC
| logo = Unilever.svg
| logo_size = 120px
| logo_caption = Unilever's logo used since May 2004
| image = Unilever House Mars 2014 01.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = [[Unilever House]] in London
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{plainlist|
* {{LSE|ULVR}}
* {{EuronextAmsterdam|UNA|XAMS}}
* {{NYSE|UL}} (ADR)
* [[FTSE 100]] component
}}
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|GB00B10RZP78}}
| predecessors = {{unbulleted list
 |[[Lever Brothers]]
 |[[Margarine Unie]]
}}
| founders = {{Plainlist|
*[[Antonius Johannes Jurgens|Anton Jurgens]]
*[[William Lever, 2nd Viscount Leverhulme|William Hulme Lever]]
*[[Samuel van den Bergh]]
}}
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{unbulleted list
  |[[Ian Meakins]] (chair)
  |[[Fernando Fernández (executive)|Fernando Fernández]] (CEO)
}}
| industry = [[Fast-moving consumer goods|Consumer goods]]
| products = {{collapsible list|
* Foods
* Condiments
* [[Dairy product]]s
* [[Ice cream]]
* Energy drinks
* Wellbeing [[vitamins]]
* Minerals and [[dietary supplement|supplements]]
* Tea
* Instant coffee
* Baby food
* [[Instant noodle]]s
* Pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare products
* Breakfast cereals
* Cleaning agents
* Water and [[air purifier]]s
* Pet food
* Toothpaste
* Bottled water
* Soft drinks
* Beauty products
* [[Personal care]]
}}
| brands = [[List of Unilever brands]]
| revenue = {{increase}} €60.761&nbsp;billion (2024)<ref name=results>{{cite web |url=https://www.unilever.com/files/ir-q4-2024-full-announcement.pdf |title=Annual Results 2024 |publisher=Unilever|access-date=13 February 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} €9.400&nbsp;billion (2024)<ref name=results />
| net_income = {{decrease}} €6.369&nbsp;billion (2024)<ref name=results />
| assets = {{increase}} €79.750&nbsp;billion (2024)<ref name=results />
| equity = {{increase}} €22.555&nbsp;billion (2024)<ref name=results />
| owner = 
| num_employees = 128,000 (2025)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unilever.com/our-company/at-a-glance/|title=At a glance|publisher=Unilever|access-date=9 February 2025}}</ref>
| founded = {{start date and age|1930|01}}
| location = [[Unilever House]]
| hq_location_city = [[London]], England
| hq_location_country = United Kingdom
| website = {{URL|https://unilever.com}}
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Unilever PLC''' ({{IPAc-en|'|j|u:|n|i|,|l|i:|v|@r}}<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Wells |editor-first=John |editor-link=John C. Wells |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |publisher=Pearson Longman |edition=3rd |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4058-8118-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpYhgqPRivw|date=31 August 2011|title=Sustainability at Unilever - The Value Chain|publisher=Unilever|work=YouTube|quote=All of Unilever’s products, including teabags, go on a journey before and after they are enjoyed by our consumers.}}</ref>) is a British [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[Fast-moving consumer goods|consumer packaged goods]] company headquartered in [[London]], England. It was founded in 1930 following the [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]] of Dutch margarine producer [[Margarine Unie]] with British soap maker [[Lever Brothers]]. 

The company's products include baby food, beauty products, bottled water, breakfast cereals, cleaning agents, [[condiment]]s, [[dairy product]]s, energy drinks, healthcare and hygiene products, [[ice cream]], [[instant coffee]], [[instant noodle]]s, pet food, pharmaceuticals, soft drinks, tea, and toothpaste. It is the largest producer of soap in the world,<ref name="gov">{{cite web |title=UK aid and Unilever to target a billion people in global handwashing campaign |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-aid-and-unilever-to-target-a-billion-people-in-global-handwashing-campaign |website=Gov.uk |publisher=British Government |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-date=23 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723033054/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-aid-and-unilever-to-target-a-billion-people-in-global-handwashing-campaign |url-status=live }}</ref> and its products are available in over 190 countries.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web |url=http://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/ourapproach/ourbusinessataglance/ |title=Our approach to sustainability |publisher= Unilever |access-date= 21 March 2015 |url-status= dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402110549/http://unilever.com/sustainable-living/ourapproach/ourbusinessataglance/ |archive-date= 2 April 2014 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

The company is organised into four main business groups: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. It has research and development facilities in China, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.<ref>[http://www.unilever.com/innovation/centres/ Unilever R&D Locations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209075535/http://unilever.com/innovation/centres/ |date=9 February 2014 }}, Unilever, viewed 19 December 2013</ref>

In the 1930s, Unilever acquired the [[United Africa Company]]. In the second half of the 20th century, the company increasingly diversified from being a maker of products made of oils and fats, and expanded its operations worldwide. It has made numerous corporate acquisitions, including [[Lipton]] (1971), [[Brooke Bond]] (1984), [[Pond's]] (1987), [[Colman's]] (1995), [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Hellmann's]] (2000), [[Ben & Jerry's|Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's]] (2000), [[SlimFast]] (2000), [[Knorr (brand)|Knorr]] (2000), [[Alberto-Culver]] (2010), [[Dollar Shave Club]] (2016), and Pukka Herbs (2017). Unilever divested its speciality chemicals businesses to [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] in 1997. In the 2010s, under the leadership of [[Paul Polman]], the company gradually shifted its focus towards health and beauty brands and away from food brands that showed slow growth.<ref name="boyle2014">{{cite news | author=Boyle, Matthew | author2=Jarvis, Paul | title=Unilever Spreads Split Boosts Chance of Exit as Shares Gain | date=4 December 2014 | agency=[[Bloomberg News]] | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-04/unilever-plans-to-split-spreads-business-into-standalone-unit.html | access-date=12 March 2017 | archive-date=9 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209181529/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-04/unilever-plans-to-split-spreads-business-into-standalone-unit.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Unilever is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] with secondary listings on the [[Euronext Amsterdam]] and the [[New York Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/ftse-100-inches-up-unilever-boost-inflation-data-awaited-2024-03-19/|title=FTSE 100 rises, led by Unilever, but UK inflation data awaits|date=19 March 2024|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Outside Lever House, Port Sunlight (2).jpg|thumb|Lever House in [[Port Sunlight]], United Kingdom, the former headquarters of Lever Brothers]]

=== 1930–1940 ===
Unilever was formed by a merger of Dutch [[Margarine Unie]] and British soapmaker [[Lever Brothers]] on January 1930, with the name of Unilever a [[blend word]] of the name of both companies.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/30/heres-what-investors-need-to-know-about-unilevers.aspx | title=Here's What Investors Need to Know About Unilever's Dividend | first=Jamal | last=Carnette | work=[[The Motley Fool]] | date=30 August 2016}}</ref>

In the 1930s, the business grew, and new ventures were launched in Africa and Latin America. During this time, Unilever acquired the [[United Africa Company]], created from a merger of the [[African & Eastern Trade Corporation]] and the [[Royal Niger Company]], which oversaw British trade interests in present-day Nigeria during the colonial era.<ref>{{cite web |title=The United Africa Company Ltd |url=http://unilever-archives.com/Record.aspx?src=Catalog&id=GB1752.UAC |website=Unilever Archives |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414073850/http://unilever-archives.com/Record.aspx?src=Catalog&id=GB1752.UAC |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Nazi occupation of Europe during the Second World War meant that Unilever was unable to reinvest its capital into Europe, so it instead acquired new businesses in the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref name="Wubs154">{{cite book|author=Ben Wubs|title=International Business and National War Interests: Unilever Between Reich and Empire, 1939–45|url=https://archive.org/details/internationalbus00wubs|url-access=limited|year=2008|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-11652-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/internationalbus00wubs/page/n168 154]}}</ref>

In 1943, it acquired [[Thomas Lipton|T. J. Lipton]], a majority stake in Frosted Foods (owner of the [[Birds Eye]] brand in the UK)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hLlYiS8xwF0C&pg=PA110|page=110|title=From Plain Fare to Fusion Food: British Diet from the 1890s to the 1990s|first= Derek J. |last=Oddy|year=2003|publisher=Boydell Press|isbn=978-0851159348}}</ref> and [[Batchelors Peas]], one of the largest vegetables canners in the United Kingdom.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Geoffrey |last2=Miskell |first2=Peter |year=2007 |title=Acquisitions and firm growth: Creating Unilever's ice cream and tea business |url=http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Acquisitions%20and%20Firm%20Growth.pdf |journal=Business History |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=8–28 |access-date=21 March 2015 |doi=10.1080/00076790601062974 |s2cid=40340372 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120073751/https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Acquisitions%20and%20Firm%20Growth.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hbs.edu">{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Geoffrey |last2=Kraft |first2=Alison |year=2004 |title=Corporate venturing: the origins of Unilever's pregnancy test |url=http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Corporate%20venturing_%20the%20origins%20of%20Unilever's%20pregnancy%20test_57e69cb9-7d58-4298-9dbb-58041552ae25.pdf |journal=Business History |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=100–122 |access-date=21 March 2015 |doi=10.1080/00076790412331270139 |s2cid=11532001 |archive-date=18 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318031553/http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Corporate%20venturing_%20the%20origins%20of%20Unilever%27s%20pregnancy%20test_57e69cb9-7d58-4298-9dbb-58041552ae25.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1944, [[Pepsodent]] was acquired.<ref name="hbs.edu"/>

In 1933, Unilever Indonesia was established in December as Lever Zeepfabrieken N.V. and had operations in [[Cikarang]], West Java at [[Rungkut]], East Java and [[North Sumatra]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/20/unilever-sets-aside-427m-expansion.html |title=Unilever sets aside $427m for expansion |work=The Jakarta Post |date=20 May 2011 |access-date=7 February 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809025226/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/20/unilever-sets-aside-427m-expansion.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 1941–1960 ===
After 1945, Unilever's American businesses (Lever Brothers and T.J. Lipton) began to decline.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/unilevera-case-study|title=Unilever{{snd}}A Case Study|last=Jones|work=Working Knowledge|access-date=10 February 2020|date=9 December 2002|first=Geoffrey|publisher=Harvard Business School|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031111139/https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/unilevera-case-study|url-status=live}}{{open access}}</ref> As a result, Unilever began to operate a "hands-off" policy towards the subsidiaries and left American management to its own devices.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

Sunsilk was first launched in the United Kingdom in 1954.<ref name="ThainBradley426">{{cite book|author1=Greg Thain|author2=John Bradley|title=FMCG: The Power of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i8MABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA426|year=2014|publisher=First Edition Design Pub.|isbn=978-1-62287-647-1|page=426|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319080844/http://books.google.com/books?id=i8MABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA426|url-status=live}}</ref> Dove was first launched in the US in 1957.<ref name="ThainBradley426" /> Unilever took full ownership of Frosted Foods in 1957, which it renamed [[Birds Eye]].<ref name="HensmansJohnson139">{{cite book|author1=Manuel Hensmans|author2=Gerry Johnson|author3=George Yip|title=Strategic Transformation: Changing While Winning|year=2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-26845-7|page=139}}</ref> The US-based [[Good Humor]] ice cream business was acquired in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unilever.co.uk/aboutus/ourhistory/1960s/|title=1960–1969|work=unilever.co.uk|access-date=21 March 2015|archive-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105090330/http://www.unilever.co.uk/aboutus/ourhistory/1960s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> By the mid-1960s, laundry soap and edible fats still contributed around half of Unilever's corporate profits.<ref name="autogenerated3" /> However, a stagnant market for yellow fats (butter, margarine, and similar products) and increasing competition in detergents and soaps from [[Procter & Gamble]] forced Unilever to diversify.<ref name="autogenerated3" /> In 1971, Unilever acquired the British-based [[Lipton|Lipton Ltd]] from [[Home and Colonial Stores|Allied Suppliers]].<ref name="autogenerated3" /> In 1978, [[Ingredion|National Starch]] was acquired for $487&nbsp;million, marking the largest ever foreign-acquisition of a US company at that point.<ref name="HensmansJohnson140">{{cite book|author1=Manuel Hensmans|author2=Gerry Johnson|author3=George Yip|title=Strategic Transformation: Changing While Winning|year=2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-26845-7|page=140}}</ref>

=== 1961–1980 ===
By the end of the 1970s through acquisitions, Unilever had gained 30 per cent of the Western European ice cream market.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> In 1982, Unilever management decided to reposition itself from an unwieldy conglomerate to a more concentrated [[fast-moving consumer goods]] (FMCG) company.<ref name="HensmansJohnson141">{{cite book|author1=Manuel Hensmans|author2=Gerry Johnson|author3=George Yip|title=Strategic Transformation: Changing While Winning|year=2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-26845-7|page=141}}</ref>

In 1984, Unilever acquired [[Brooke Bond]] (maker of [[PG Tips]] tea) for £390&nbsp;million in the company's first successful [[takeover]].<ref name=autogenerated3 /> In 1986, Unilever strengthened its position in the world skin care market by acquiring [[Pond's|Ponds]] (merged from [[Chesebrough Manufacturing Company|Chesebrough Manufacturing]] and [[Pond's|Pond's Creams]]), the maker of [[Ragú]], [[Pond's]], Aqua-Net, [[Cutex]], and [[Vaseline]] in another hostile takeover.<ref name="HensmansJohnson141" /> In 1989, Unilever bought Calvin Klein Cosmetics, [[Fabergé (cosmetics)|Fabergé]], and [[Elizabeth Arden, Inc.|Elizabeth Arden]], but the latter was later sold (in 2000) to FFI Fragrances.<ref name="nyt1996">{{cite news| newspaper= The New York Times| date= 15 February 1996| title= Unilever Agrees to Buy Helene Curtis| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/15/business/unilever-agrees-to-buy-helene-curtis.html?pagewanted=all| first= Glenn| last= Collins| access-date= 27 November 2013| archive-date= 19 December 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131219162450/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/15/business/unilever-agrees-to-buy-helene-curtis.html?pagewanted=all| url-status= live}}</ref>

=== 1981–2000 ===
In 1992, Unilever [[Ghana]] was established in July following a merger of UAC Ghana Limited and Lever Brothers Ghana Limited.<ref name="GBI">{{cite web|url= http://business.everythinghana.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=rate&link_id=40&Itemid=26|title       = Ghana Business Index|access-date  = 25 September 2008|url-status  = dead|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110710211440/http://business.everythinghana.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=rate&link_id=40&Itemid=26|archive-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref>

In 1993, Unilever acquired [[Breyers]] from [[Kraft Foods Inc.|Kraft]], which made the company the largest ice cream manufacturer in the United States.<ref name="Jones2005">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Geoffrey|title=Renewing Unilever: Transformation and Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KpU4OtH3kAwC&pg=PA349|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-160842-1|page=362|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319095438/http://books.google.com/books?id=KpU4OtH3kAwC&pg=PA349|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, it acquired the Isaly Klondike Company, makers of [[Klondike bar]], and [[Popsicle (brand)|Popsicle Industries]].<ref>{{cite news |title=COMPANY NEWS; LIPTON SET TO ADD KLONDIKE AND POPSICLE UNITS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/30/business/company-news-lipton-set-to-add-klondike-and-popsicle-units.html |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=30 January 1993}}</ref>

In 1996, Unilever merged Elida Gibbs and Lever Brothers in its UK operations.<ref>{{cite magazine | url= http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/unilever-moots-merger-of-elida-gibbs-and-lever-bros/2018640.article | title= Unilever moots merger of Elida Gibbs and Lever Bros | magazine= Marketing Week | location= UK | access-date= 26 November 2013 | quote= Unilever is understood to be planning to merge its Elida Gibbs and Lever Brother's operations after Elida Gibbs relocates its headquarters to Lever House in Kingston, Surrey. | archive-date= 2 December 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221241/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/unilever-moots-merger-of-elida-gibbs-and-lever-bros/2018640.article | url-status= live }}</ref> It also purchased [[Helene Curtis Industries, Inc.|Helene Curtis]], significantly expanding its presence in the United States shampoo and deodorant market.<ref name="nyt1996"/> The purchase brought Unilever the Suave and Finesse hair-care product brands and Degree deodorant brand.<ref name="nyt1996"/>

In 1997, Unilever sold its speciality chemicals division, including National Starch & Chemical, [[Quest International|Quest]], Unichema and [[Joseph Crosfield|Crosfield]] to [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] for £4.9&nbsp;billion.<ref name="Jones364">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Geoffrey|title=Renewing Unilever: Transformation and Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KpU4OtH3kAwC&pg=PA349|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-160842-1|page=364|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319095438/http://books.google.com/books?id=KpU4OtH3kAwC&pg=PA349|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, Unilever established a [[sustainable agriculture]] programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unilever.com/ourvalues/environment-society/sus-dev-report/integrating-sustainability/sustainable-agriculture/default.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511185915/http://www.unilever.com/ourvalues/environment-society/sus-dev-report/integrating-sustainability/sustainable-agriculture/default.asp|title=Sustainable agriculture|archive-date=11 May 2008|work=unilever.com|access-date=21 March 2015}}</ref>

In 2000, Unilever acquired the boutique mustard retailer Maille,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/unilever-swallows-up-french-mustard-maker-for-pound460m-740739.html|title=Unilever swallows up French mustard maker for £460m|date=25 November 1999|work=The Independent|language=en|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206204122/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/unilever-swallows-up-french-mustard-maker-for-pound460m-740739.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's and [[SlimFast]] for £1.63&nbsp;billion,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/unilever-to-buy-ben-and-jerrys/2018/09/24/90a52f84-c020-11e8-be77-516336a26305_story.html|title=Unilever to Buy Ben & Jerry's|last=Hamilton|first=Martha M.|date=13 April 2000|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110212811/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/unilever-to-buy-ben-and-jerrys/2018/09/24/90a52f84-c020-11e8-be77-516336a26305_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/04/12/europe/unilever/|title=Unilever buys Slim-Fast |date=12 April 2000|work=CNN Money|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920135309/https://money.cnn.com/2000/04/12/europe/unilever/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Bestfoods]] for £13.4&nbsp;billion.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB960304015993468523|title=Unilever Wins Battle to Buy Bestfoods; U.S. Firm's Board Backs $20.3 Billion Bid|last=Journal|first=Nikhil Deogun and Ernest BeckStaff Reporters of The Wall Street|date=7 June 2000|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=6 February 2020|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809183017/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB960304015993468523|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bestfoods acquisition increased Unilever's scale in foods in America, and added brands including [[Knorr (brand)|Knorr]], [[Marmite]], [[Bovril]], and [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Hellmann's]] to its portfolio.<ref name=":1" /> In exchange for European regulatory approval of the deal, Unilever divested itself of [[Oxo (food)|Oxo]], Lesieur, McDonnells, Bla Band, Royco, and [[Batchelors]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/sep/29/unilever|title=Unilever sells Oxo to seal £13bn deal|last=Osborn|first=Andrew|date=29 September 2000|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 February 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809133709/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/sep/29/unilever|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB97013038989497630|title=EU Clears Unilever's Purchase Of Bestfoods, With Conditions|last=Roundup|first=A. WSJ com News|date=28 September 2000|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=6 February 2020|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206204116/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB97013038989497630|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2001–2010 ===
[[File:Unilever-jobs-00-08.svg|thumb|'''Global employment at Unilever 2000–08'''<br /> Black represents employment numbers in Europe, light grey represents the Americas and dark grey represents Asia and Africa.<br />Between 2000 and 2008 Unilever reduced global workforce numbers by 41%, from 295,000 to 174,000.<br />
Notes: Europe figures for 2000–2003 are all Europe; from 2004 figures in black are Western Europe. For 2004–2008 figures for Asia and Africa include Eastern and Central Europe.<br />''Source: Unilever Annual Reports 2004, 2008'']]

In 2001, Unilever split into two divisions: one for foods and one for home and personal care.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/08/04/europe/unilever/|title=Unilever splits units amid 14% drop in 2Q results |date=4 August 2000|work=CNN Money|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025180950/https://money.cnn.com/2000/08/04/europe/unilever/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the UK, it merged its Lever Brothers and Elida Fabergé businesses as Lever Fabergé in January 2001.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Witt|first1=Joanna|title=Unilever creates Lever Faberge in UK consolidation|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/70321/unilever-creates-lever-faberge-uk-consolidation|access-date=13 March 2016|work=Marketing Magazine|date=11 January 2001|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309201117/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/unilever-creates-lever-faberge-uk-consolidation/70321?src_site=marketingmagazine|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, Unilever announced the sale of the Dalda brand in both India and [[Pakistan]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=10 January 2021 |title=Seven years after delisting, Unilever Pakistan is investing heavily in growth |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/01/10/seven-years-after-delisting-unilever-pakistan-is-investing-heavily-in-growth/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=Profit by Pakistan Today |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2003, [[Bunge Global|Bunge Limited]] acquired the Dalda brand from [[Hindustan Unilever|Hindustan Unilever Limited]] for reportedly under Rs 1&nbsp;billion.<ref name="BS">{{cite news |author=Viveat Susan Pinto |date=5 March 2015 |title=40 years ago...And now: How Dalda built, and lost, its monopoly (Dalda was established in an advertising blitzkrieg but later ran into trouble) |newspaper=Business Standard (newspaper) |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/management/40-years-ago-and-now-how-dalda-built-and-lost-its-monopoly-115030501153_1.html |accessdate=20 September 2021}}</ref> On 30 March 2004, [[Unilever Pakistan]] accepted an offer of Rs. 1.33&nbsp;billion for the sale of its Dalda brand and related business of edible oils and fats to the newly incorporated company Dalda Foods (Pvt.) Limited.<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news |author=Dilawar Hussain |date=5 January 2008 |title=Dalda grabs Tullo in edible oil business |newspaper=Dawn (newspaper) |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/283163/dalda-grabs-tullo-in-edible-oil-business |accessdate=20 September 2021}}</ref>

In 2002, the company sold its speciality oils and fats division, known as Loders Croklaan, for RM814&nbsp;million (€218.5&nbsp;million) to [[IOI Group|IOI Corporation]], a Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia–based oil palm company. As part of the deal, the Loders Croklaan name was maintained.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.feednavigator.com/Suppliers/IOI-to-buy-Unilever-s-oils-and-fats-division|title=IOI to buy Unilever's oils and fats division|date=2 September 2002|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424085554/http://www.feednavigator.com/Suppliers/IOI-to-buy-Unilever-s-oils-and-fats-division|url-status=live}}</ref> Unilever sold the brands Mazola, Argo & Kingsfords, Karo, Golden Griddle, and Henri's, along with several of its Canadian brands, to ACH Food Companies, an American subsidiary of [[Associated British Foods]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/7686753/food-giant-unilever-to-sell-15-north-american-brands-including-mazola-cooking-oil|title=Food giant Unilever to sell 15 North American brands including Mazola cooking oil|website=newson6.com|language=en|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206204117/https://www.newson6.com/story/7686753/food-giant-unilever-to-sell-15-north-american-brands-including-mazola-cooking-oil|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, Unilever Bangladesh, established in 1964,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=51886625 |title=Unilever Bangladesh Limited: Private Company Information |website=Bloomberg |access-date=29 October 2017 |archive-date=29 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029121243/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=51886625 |url-status=live }}</ref> changed its former name Lever Brothers Bangladesh Ltd to its present name in December.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.unilever.com.bd/news/press-releases/2004/unilever-name-change.html|title=Unilever Name change|date=1 December 2004|work=Unilever Bangladesh|access-date=16 June 2018|language=en|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928160157/https://www.unilever.com.bd/news/press-releases/2004/unilever-name-change.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is owned 60.4% by Unilever and 39.6% by the [[Government of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About Unilever|url=https://www.unilever.com.bd/about/who-we-are/about-Unilever/|website=Unilever Bangladesh|access-date=23 January 2016|quote=UBL is a Joint Venture of the Government of Bangladesh and Unilever. Unilever holds 60.4% share in UBL.|archive-date=23 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123003128/https://www.unilever.com.bd/about/who-we-are/about-Unilever/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Unilever cuts down water usage |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/unilever-cuts-down-water-usage-153730 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=8 October 2015 |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126224953/http://www.thedailystar.net/city/unilever-cuts-down-water-usage-153730 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, Unilever partnered with [[Rainforest Alliance]] to sustainably source all its tea.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Marcy |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070525-0857-tea-unilever-sustainable.html |title=Unilever to sell environmentally sustainable tea |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |agency=Reuters |date=25 May 2007 |access-date=19 April 2011 |archive-date=31 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731212847/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070525-0857-tea-unilever-sustainable.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, Unilever agreed to acquire the personal care business of [[Sara Lee Corporation]], including brands such as [[Radox]], Badedas and Duschdas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/09/25/news/international/unilever_sara_lee_personal_care/|title=Unilever to buy Sara Lee's personal care unit for $1.87B |date=25 September 2009|work=CNN Money|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021140032/https://money.cnn.com/2009/09/25/news/international/unilever_sara_lee_personal_care/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sara Lee acquisition was completed on 6 December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Article/2010/12/07/Unilever-completes-acquisition-of-Sara-Lee-s-body-care-business|title=Unilever completes acquisition of Sara Lee's body care business|last=cosmeticsdesign-europe.com|website=cosmeticsdesign-europe.com|date=7 December 2010 |language=en-GB|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807113856/https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Article/2010/12/07/Unilever-completes-acquisition-of-Sara-Lee-s-body-care-business|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, Unilever acquired the Diplom-Is in Denmark,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/unilever-cutting-deals-10855028|title=Unilever Buys TINE Danish Dairy Unit|last=Tse|first=Andrea|work=TheStreet|language=en-us|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809185046/https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/unilever-cutting-deals-10855028|url-status=live}}</ref> Unilever announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell its consumer tomato products business in Brazil to [[Cargill]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/09/20/daily60.html|work=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal|title=Cargill pays $350.5 million for Unilever's Brazilian tomato biz|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214024515/https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/09/20/daily60.html|url-status=live}}</ref> purchased [[Alberto-Culver]], a maker of personal care and household products including Simple, [[Alberto-Culver|VO5]], [[Alberto-Culver|Nexxus]], [[TRESemmé]], and [[Mrs. Dash]], for US$3.7&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/business/global/28unilever.html|title=Unilever Makes a $3.7 Billion Deal to Buy Alberto Culver|last=Nicholson|first=Chris V.|date=27 September 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 February 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=14 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514193146/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/business/global/28unilever.html|url-status=live}}</ref> acquired [[Evga S.A|EVGA]]'s ice cream brands, which included Scandal, Variete and Karabola, and its distribution network in Greece, for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fdbusiness.com/unilever-acquires-greek-ice-cream-brands/|title=Unilever Acquires Greek Ice Cream Brands {{!}} FDBusiness.com|language=en-GB|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923033342/https://www.fdbusiness.com/unilever-acquires-greek-ice-cream-brands/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2011–2020 ===
In 2012, Unilever announced it would phase out the use of [[microplastics]] in the form of [[microbeads]] in their personal care products by 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/unilever-phasing-out-microplastics-by-2015-2012-12 | title=The Maker of Dove Soaps Will Phase Out Exfoliating Plastic Microbeads | work=Business Insider | date=27 December 2012 | access-date=29 December 2012 | archive-date=31 December 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231221233/http://www.businessinsider.com/unilever-phasing-out-microplastics-by-2015-2012-12 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, Unilever agreed to acquire a majority stake in the China-based water purification company Qinyuan for an undisclosed price,<ref>{{Cite news|last=London|first=Laurie Burkitt in Beijing and Peter Evans in|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-invests-in-china-water-purification-company-1394427339|title=Unilever Invests in China Water-Purification Company|date=10 March 2014|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=13 February 2020|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213152341/https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-invests-in-china-water-purification-company-1394427339|url-status=live}}</ref> acquired Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-12-02/unilever-buys-talenti-gelato-to-bolster-ice-cream-business|title=Unilever Buys Talenti Gelato to Bolster Ice-Cream Business|date=2 December 2014|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=29 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829015457/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-12-02/unilever-buys-talenti-gelato-to-bolster-ice-cream-business|url-status=live}}</ref> acquired [[Camay]] brand globally and the [[Zest (brand)|Zest]] brand outside of North America and the Caribbean from [[Procter & Gamble]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/procter-gamble-to-sell-camay-and-zest-to-unilever-1419282000|title=Procter & Gamble to Sell Camay and Zest to Unilever|date=22 December 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214035758/https://www.wsj.com/articles/procter-gamble-to-sell-camay-and-zest-to-unilever-1419282000|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Unilever acquired British niche skincare brand REN Skincare,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Daneshkhu|first1=Scheherazade|title=Unilever to buy REN skincare brand|url=https://www.ft.com/content/54c1543a-c0fa-11e4-876d-00144feab7de|access-date=13 March 2016|work=Financial Times|date=2 March 2015|archive-date=18 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718140137/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54c1543a-c0fa-11e4-876d-00144feab7de.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed in May 2015 by the acquisition of Kate Somerville Skincare LLC.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unilever buys U.S. skincare brand Kate Somerville|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN0XX09S20150506|access-date=13 March 2016|work=Reuters|date=6 May 2015|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026080021/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN0XX09S20150506|url-status=live}}</ref> The company also acquired the Italian premium ice cream maker [[Grom (company)|GROM]] for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unilever buys premium Italian ice cream maker GROM|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unilever-m-a-grom-idUSKCN0RV5BO20151001|last=Landini|first=Francesca|work=Reuters|date=1 October 2015|access-date=13 March 2016|archive-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311032308/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-unilever-m-a-grom-idUSKCN0RV5BO20151001|url-status=live}}</ref> Unilever also separated its [[Spread (food)|food spreads]] business,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chaudhuri|first1=Saabira|title=Unilever Spreads Division's CEO Quits|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-spreads-divisions-ceo-quits-1453186458|access-date=13 March 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=19 January 2016|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809161342/https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-spreads-divisions-ceo-quits-1453186458|url-status=live}}</ref> including its [[Flora (spread)|Flora]] and [[I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!]] brands, into a standalone entity named Unilever Baking, Cooking and Spreading.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spary|first1=Sara|title=Unilever to separate spreads business to give brands more 'focus'|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1325129/unilever-separate-spreads-business-give-brands-focus|access-date=13 March 2016|work=Marketing Magazine|date=4 December 2014|archive-date=3 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403233139/http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1325129/unilever-separate-spreads-business-give-brands-focus|url-status=live}}</ref> The separation was first announced in December 2014 and was made in response to declining worldwide sales in that product category.<ref name="boyle2014"/>

Unilever bought the United States–based [[startup company]] [[Dollar Shave Club]] for a reported $1b (£764m) to compete in the male grooming market.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shaving start-up firm bought by Unilever|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-36791928|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=20 July 2016|access-date=20 July 2016|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117154144/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-36791928|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 August 2016, Unilever acquired Blueair, a Swedish supplier of mobile indoor air purification technologies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-unilvr-m-a-blueair/unilever-to-buy-blueair-air-purifiers-idUKKCN10R0JG|title=Unilever to buy Blueair air purifiers|date=16 August 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809161341/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-unilvr-m-a-blueair/unilever-to-buy-blueair-air-purifiers-idUKKCN10R0JG|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2024, Blueair received a warning letter from the [[Federal Trade Commission]] concerning warranty restrictions related to use of certain replacement filters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Kerry |title=Compliance Warning Re: Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/blueair-warning-letter.pdf |website=FTC.gov |publisher=Federal Trade Commission |access-date=22 December 2025}}</ref> In September 2016, Unilever acquired [[Seventh Generation Inc.]] for $700&nbsp;million.<ref name="Wall Street Journal: Unilever Buys ‘Green’ Products Maker Seventh Generation">{{cite news|last1=Terlep|first1=Sharon|last2=Chaudhuri|first2=Saabira|title=Unilever Buys 'Green' Products Maker Seventh Generation|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-to-buy-u-s-home-and-personal-care-company-seventh-generation-1474303177|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=20 September 2016|date=19 September 2016|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107210455/https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-to-buy-u-s-home-and-personal-care-company-seventh-generation-1474303177|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 December 2016, Unilever acquired Living Proof Inc, a hair care products business.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/unilever-living-proof-jennifer-aniston-10729610/|title=Unilever Buys Living Proof, Jennifer Aniston Out|last=Thomas|first=Ellen|date=16 December 2016|work=Women's Wear Daily|access-date=15 March 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418203500/https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/unilever-living-proof-jennifer-aniston-10729610/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, significantly smaller [[Kraft Heinz]] made a $143&nbsp;billion bid for Unilever.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kraft Makes $143 Billion Merger Bid for Unilever|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kraft-heinz-says-it-made-a-takeover-proposal-to-unilever-but-was-rejected-talks-continue-1487334065|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|author=Anne Steele Chaudhuri saabira|date=17 February 2017|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214040005/https://www.wsj.com/articles/kraft-heinz-says-it-made-a-takeover-proposal-to-unilever-but-was-rejected-talks-continue-1487334065|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.grubstreet.com/2017/04/that-ketchup-that-isnt-heinz-is-worth-usd140-million.html|title=That Ketchup That Isn't Heinz Is Worth $140 Million|publisher=Grubstreet|author=Sierra Tishgart|date=21 April 2017|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417182316/https://www.grubstreet.com/2017/04/that-ketchup-that-isnt-heinz-is-worth-usd140-million.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal was declined by Unilever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/156503/kraft-heinz-abandons-unilever-bid.aspx|title=Kraft Heinz Abandons Unilever Bid|date=21 February 2017|publisher=Morning Star|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417212702/https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/156503/kraft-heinz-abandons-unilever-bid.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 April 2017, Unilever acquired Sir Kensington's, a New York–based condiment maker.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/business/dealbook/unilever-buys-sir-kensingtons-maker-of-fancy-ketchup.html|title=Unilever Buys Sir Kensington's, Maker of Fancy Ketchup|last=Strom|first=Stephanie|date=20 April 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=15 March 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125024714/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/business/dealbook/unilever-buys-sir-kensingtons-maker-of-fancy-ketchup.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 May 2017, the company acquired the personal care and home care brands of Quala, a Latin American consumer goods company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-quala-m-a-unilever/unilever-to-buy-latin-american-personal-care-brands-from-quala-idUSKCN18B1KF|title=Unilever to buy Latin American personal care brands from Quala|date=15 May 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414073843/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-quala-m-a-unilever/unilever-to-buy-latin-american-personal-care-brands-from-quala-idUSKCN18B1KF|url-status=live}}</ref> In June, the company acquired Hourglass, a colour cosmetics brand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wwd.com/business-news/mergers-acquisitions/unilever-adds-hourglass-prestige-cosmetics-to-portfolio-10921783/|title=Unilever Adds Hourglass to Portfolio|last=Collins|first=Allison|date=19 June 2017|work=Women's Wear Daily|access-date=15 March 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417211505/https://wwd.com/business-news/mergers-acquisitions/unilever-adds-hourglass-prestige-cosmetics-to-portfolio-10921783/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July, the company then announced that it had acquired the organic herbal tea business, Pukka Herbs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/07/pukka-tea-pg-tips-organic-herbal-unilever|title=Pukka tea firm vows to stay ethical as PG Tips owner takes it over|work=The Guardian|date=7 September 2017|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043044/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/07/pukka-tea-pg-tips-organic-herbal-unilever|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2017, Unilever acquired [[Weis (frozen foods company)|Weis]], an Australian ice cream business.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afr.com/business/retail/unilever-gobbles-up-iconic-weis-brand-from-founders-20170809-gxsdgo|title=Unilever gobbles up iconic Weis brand from founders|date=9 August 2017|work=Australian Financial Review|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=17 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317232710/http://www.afr.com/business/retail/unilever-gobbles-up-iconic-weis-brand-from-founders-20170809-gxsdgo|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month Unilever acquired Remgro's interest in Unilever South Africa in exchange for the Unilever South Africa spreads business plus cash consideration.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unilever-buys-out-remgro-in-south-african-unit-2017-09-22|title=Unilever buys out Remgro in South African unit|date=22 September 2017|work=MarketWatch|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412104910/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unilever-buys-out-remgro-in-south-african-unit-2017-09-22|url-status=live}}</ref> Even later that month, Unilever agreed to acquire Carver Korea, with 2.7billion USD, a skincare business brand of AHC in North Asia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9ad568b4-a1bf-11e7-9e4f-7f5e6a7c98a2|title=Unilever to buy Carver Korea for €2.27bn|date=25 September 2018|work=Financial Times|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812191653/https://www.ft.com/content/9ad568b4-a1bf-11e7-9e4f-7f5e6a7c98a2|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2017, Unilever acquired Brazilian natural and organic food business Mãe Terra.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/583ab760-4922-317d-9a46-4ab30ef998aa|title=Unilever to buy Brazilian organic food business Mãe Terra|date=2 October 2017|work=Financial Times|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214040036/https://www.ft.com/content/583ab760-4922-317d-9a46-4ab30ef998aa|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, Unilever announced an agreement to acquire the [[Tazo]] speciality tea brand from [[Starbucks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2017/11/02/starbucks-to-sell-tazo-tea-brand-to-unilever-for-384-million/|title=Starbucks To Sell Tazo Tea Brand To Unilever For $384 Million|date=2 November 2017|work=Forbes|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806160419/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2017/11/02/starbucks-to-sell-tazo-tea-brand-to-unilever-for-384-million/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in November 2017, the company acquired Sundial Brands, a skincare company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f1bdd72e-d5a9-11e7-8c9a-d9c0a5c8d5c9|title=Unilever packs more acquisitions in the cupboard|work=Financial Times|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809182745/https://www.ft.com/content/f1bdd72e-d5a9-11e7-8c9a-d9c0a5c8d5c9|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2017, Unilever acquired [[Schmidt's Naturals]], a US natural deodorant and soap company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/unilever-to-acquire-schmidts-naturals-20171214-00822|title=Today's Stock Market News and Analysis from Nasdaq.com|publisher=NASDAQ|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=17 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217202647/https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/unilever-to-acquire-schmidts-naturals-20171214-00822|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2017, Unilever sold its margarine and spreads division to investment firm [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]] for €6.8bn.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Buckley |first1=Thomas |title=Terms of Service Violation |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-15/kkr-is-said-to-near-deal-to-buy-spreads-business-from-unilever |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=29 August 2018 |date=15 December 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109022201/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-15/kkr-is-said-to-near-deal-to-buy-spreads-business-from-unilever |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Treanor |first1=Jill |title=Unilever sells household name spreads to KKR for £6bn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/15/unilever-sells-household-name-spreads-to-kkr-for-6bn |work=The Guardian |access-date=29 August 2018 |language=en |date=15 December 2017 |archive-date=28 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528104206/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/15/unilever-sells-household-name-spreads-to-kkr-for-6bn |url-status=live }}</ref> The sale was completed in July 2018, and the new company was named [[Upfield (company)|Upfield]].<ref>{{cite web |title=July 2018 – Upfield |url=https://www.upfield.com/2018/07/ |website=upfield.com |access-date=29 August 2018 |language=en-ZA |date=3 July 2018 |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830005344/https://www.upfield.com/2018/07/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Upfield's notable brands include [[Flora (margarine)|Flora]], [[Stork (margarine)|Stork]], [[I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!|I Can't Believe It's Not Butter]], [[Blue Band (brand)|Rama]], [[Country Crock]], [[Becel]], and [[Blue Band (brand)|Blue Band]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Brands |url=https://www.upfield.com/our-brands/ |website=upfield.com |access-date=28 August 2018 |language=en-ZA |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830005002/https://www.upfield.com/our-brands/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Unilever announced that to help tackle the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]], it would contribute over {{€}}100m through donations of soap, hand sanitiser, bleach and food.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2020/03/578696/covid-19-unilever-contributes-over-%E2%82%AC100m|title=Covid-19: Unilever contributes over €100m|date=27 March 2020|work=New Straits Times|language=en|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809133438/https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2020/03/578696/covid-19-unilever-contributes-over-%E2%82%AC100m|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-unilever-to-contribute-eur-100-mln-idUSASN0004IP|title=Unilever To Contribute Eur 100 Mln Through Donations Of Soap, Sanitiser, Bleach And Food|date=24 March 2020|work=Reuters|access-date=2 April 2020|language=en|archive-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510190304/https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-unilever-to-contribute-eur-100-mln-idUSASN0004IP|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Since 2021 ===

In April 2021, Unilever established a new stand-alone beauty business, Elida Beauty, which will own and manage the following brands: Brut, Brylcreem, Timotei, Q-tips, Noxema, TIGI, VO5, Toni & Guy, Matey, Moussel, Monsavon, Impulse, St Ives, Alberto Balsam, Badedas, Fissan, Pento, Pond's, Careess, Lever 2000, Williams, Elida, and Alberto.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.happi.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2021-04-30/unilever-establishes-elida-beauty/|title=Unilever establishes Elida Beauty|date= 30 April 2021|newspaper=Happi|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

In August 2021, Florida governor [[Ron DeSantis]] placed Unilever on a list of "Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel" because it had "no current plan to prevent Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's from terminating business activities in Israeli-controlled territories". The ice-cream brand has 90 days to stop engaging in "the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS movement]]", or the state will no longer contract with the parent company Unilever or any of its subsidiaries.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Jordan|date=3 August 2021|title=Florida takes action against Ben & Jerry's parent company amid fight over Israel|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/566069-florida-takes-action-against-ben-jerrys-parent-company-amid-boycott|access-date=3 August 2021|work=The Hill|language=en|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803150917/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/566069-florida-takes-action-against-ben-jerrys-parent-company-amid-boycott|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2021, Unilever agreed to sell most of its tea business under the [[Lipton Teas and Infusions|Ekaterra]] division to investment firm [[CVC Capital Partners]] for €4.5&nbsp;billion. This deal excluded the Unilever tea business in India, Indonesia and Nepal, and the Lipton Ice Tea joint-venture with PepsiCo.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 November 2021|title=Unilever offloads black tea business as UK passion for cuppa goes cold|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/nov/18/unilever-offloads-black-tea-business-as-uk-passion-for-cuppa-goes-cold|access-date=5 January 2022|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105154531/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/nov/18/unilever-offloads-black-tea-business-as-uk-passion-for-cuppa-goes-cold|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal was completed in summer 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-announces-completion-of-the-sale-of-its-tea-business-ekaterra/|title=Unilever announces completion of the sale of its Tea business, ekaterra, to CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII|date=1 July 2022|website=unilever.com}}</ref>

In December 2023, Unilever announced the company would sell Elida Beauty to Yellow Wood Partners, a private equity firm in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2023 |title=Unilever to sell Q-Tips maker Elida Beauty to Yellow Wood |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/unilever-sell-elida-beauty-yellow-wood-2023-12-18/ |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In March 2024, Unilever announced plans to spin off its ice cream unit, which makes among others, brands such as [[Magnum (ice cream)|Magnum]] and Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's, into a standalone business starting in March 2024 and planned to complete by the end of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2024 |title=Ben & Jerry's maker Unilever to spin off ice cream unit, cut 7,500 jobs |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ben-jerrys-maker-unilever-spin-072110581.html |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref> The announcement was part of a cost-savings programme that would cut 7,500 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/unilever-spin-off-ben-jerrys-unit-launches-cost-savings-plan-2024-03-19/|title=Ben & Jerry's maker Unilever to spin off ice cream unit, cut 7,500 jobs}}</ref> In February 2025, Unilever announced that the ice cream unit would list on the Amsterdam stock market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unilever delivers blow to chancellor with ice cream snub |url=https://news.sky.com/story/unilever-delivers-blow-to-chancellor-with-ice-cream-snub-13308307 |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> The ice cream unit later known as [[The Magnum Ice Cream Company]], is expected to complete the demerger in November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southey |first=Flora |date=2025-08-21 |title=Unilever’s Magnum Co. launches first new brand - and it’s not ice cream |url=https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2025/08/21/unilever-magnum-co-launches-first-brand-hydroice/ |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=FoodNavigator.com |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2024, the company announced the sale of food brand [[Unox]] and Zwan to Zwanenberg Food Group with the deal expected to be completed in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fish |first=Isabella |date=18 December 2024 |title=Unilever offloads Unox and Zwan labels to focus on 'power brands' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/unilever-offloads-unox-and-zwan-labels-to-focus-on-power-brands-czk29f8mt |access-date=19 December 2024 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2025, Unilever announced the acquisition of [[Dr. Squatch]], an American personal care brand, for $1.5 billion from [[Summit Partners]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last1=Speed |first1=Madeleine |last2=Levingston |first2=Ivan |last3=Barnes |first3=Oliver |date=27 June 2025 |title=Unilever pays $1.5bn for men's grooming brand Dr Squatch |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ac369fd5-308a-43a7-b86d-c41fde34156a |access-date=1 July 2025 |work=Financial Times}}</ref> The deal remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.<ref name=":4" />

== Corporate operations ==
=== Legal structure ===
[[File:Unilever Head Office Building Rotterdam.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Former head office building of Unilever N.V. which now became the HQ for the merged group's food and refreshments division, Rotterdam]]

Unilever has a holding company Unilever PLC and N.V. with Anglo-Dutch structure, which has its registered office at [[Port Sunlight]] in Merseyside, United Kingdom and its head office at [[Unilever House]] in London, United Kingdom.<ref name=corpgov>{{cite web|url=http://www.unilever.com/images/The-Governance-of-Unilever-10-01-12_tcm13-216301.pdf |title=Governance of Unilever – 1 January 2012 |access-date=9 April 2012 |publisher=Unilever |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030193248/http://www.unilever.com/images/The-Governance-of-Unilever-10-01-12_tcm13-216301.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2012 }}</ref> The company has been restructured several times, for example in 2018 and 2020 (see "history").<ref name=rest1/><ref name=rest2/>

In 2018, Unilever announced its intention to simplify this structure by centralising the duality of legal entities and keeping just one headquarters in Rotterdam, abandoning the London head office. Business groups and staff would have been unaffected, as would the dual listing.<ref name=rest1>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/unilever-moves-headquarters-rotterdam-london-brexit-100-years-a8256736.html|title=Unilever, Britain's third-biggest company, moves headquarters to Rotterdam after 100 years in London|date=15 March 2018|work=The Independent|access-date=15 March 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210075753/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/unilever-moves-headquarters-rotterdam-london-brexit-100-years-a8256736.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 October 2018 the group announced it would cancel the restructuring due to concern that the United Kingdom shareholders would lose value if the company fell out of the London FTSE100.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7c1cabf4-c864-11e8-ba8f-ee390057b8c9|title=Unilever backs down on plan to move headquarters from UK|last=Abboud|first=Leila|date=5 October 2018|work=Financial Times|access-date=6 October 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035757/https://www.ft.com/content/7c1cabf4-c864-11e8-ba8f-ee390057b8c9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/15/investing/unilever-uk-brexit-headquarters-london-rotterdam/index.html|title=Ben & Jerry's owner picks Netherlands for HQ in snub to London|first1=Alanna|last1=Petroff|first2=Daniel|last2=Shane|work=CNN Money|access-date=17 March 2018|date=15 March 2018|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412104914/https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/15/investing/unilever-uk-brexit-headquarters-london-rotterdam/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A shareholder vote was planned to decide for the listing of a new Unilever Dutch entity, which would have seen Unilever dropping out of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unilever-structure/unilever-details-plans-for-december-listing-of-new-dutch-entity-idUSKCN1LR0GW|title=Unilever details plans for December listing of new Dutch entity|last=Geller|first=Martinne|date=11 September 2018|work=Reuters|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145621/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unilever-structure/unilever-details-plans-for-december-listing-of-new-dutch-entity-idUSKCN1LR0GW|url-status=live}}</ref> When it appeared that the vote would fail, due to uncertainty over the Netherlands dividend tax, the scheme was cancelled on 5 October 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unilever-drops-plan-to-leave-london-2018-10-05|title=Unilever drops plan to leave London|date=5 October 2018|work=MarketWatch|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005132142/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unilever-drops-plan-to-leave-london-2018-10-05|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2018, the company acquired<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2018/unilever-closes-acquisition-of-75-percent-stake-in-equilibra.html|title=Unilever closes acquisition of 75% stake in Equilibra |work=Unilever |access-date=22 October 2018|language=en|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024153225/https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2018/unilever-closes-acquisition-of-75-percent-stake-in-equilibra.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a 75% stake in the Italian personal-care business Equilibra<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2018/unilever-to-acquire-seventy-five-percent-of-italian-personal-care-business-equilibra.html|title=Unilever to acquire 75% of Italian personal care business Equilibra|work=Unilever|access-date=22 October 2018|language=en|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923043708/https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2018/unilever-to-acquire-seventy-five-percent-of-italian-personal-care-business-equilibra.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and acquired the high-end, eco-friendly laundry and household cleaning products company The Laundress for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90298157/exclusive-laundress-founders-gwen-whiting-and-lindsey-boyd-on-why-they-sold-to-unilever|title=Exclusive: The Laundress founders come clean about why they sold to Unilever|last=Segran|first=Elizabeth|date=29 January 2019|magazine=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027101111/https://www.fastcompany.com/90298157/exclusive-laundress-founders-gwen-whiting-and-lindsey-boyd-on-why-they-sold-to-unilever|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, UK recruitment website, Indeed, named Unilever as the United Kingdom's ninth best private sector employer<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/22/apple-named-best-private-sector-employer-in-the-uk.html|title=Apple named best private sector employer in the UK|last=Taylor|first=Chloe|date=22 October 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109012738/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/22/apple-named-best-private-sector-employer-in-the-uk.html|url-status=live}}</ref> based on millions of employee ratings and reviews.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blog.indeed.co.uk/2018/10/22/top-rated-workplaces-private-sector/|title=Top-Rated Workplaces: Best in the Private Sector – Indeed Blog|date=22 October 2018|work=Indeed Blog|access-date=25 October 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927121752/http://blog.indeed.co.uk/2018/10/22/top-rated-workplaces-private-sector/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Unilever announced after review of its corporate structure, the company was to merge Unilever N.V. into Unilever [[Public limited company|PLC]] forming one holding company to be based in the United Kingdom.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.relocatemagazine.com/news/property-unilever-opts-for-single-hq-in-london-0620-dsapsted|title=Unilever opts for single HQ in London|work=Relocate Magazine|access-date=24 July 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119094610/https://www.relocatemagazine.com/news/property-unilever-opts-for-single-hq-in-london-0620-dsapsted|url-status=live}}</ref> However, a Dutch 'exit tax' plan required the company to reconsider this unification.<ref name=rest2>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unilever-unification-idUSKBN25Z34I|title=Unilever CEO expects shareholder support for UK HQ move|date=8 September 2020|work=Reuters|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108032828/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unilever-unification-idUSKBN25Z34I|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharesmagazine.co.uk/news/market/7116260/|title=30 Nov 2020 00:14 &#124; Shares Magazine|website=sharesmagazine.co.uk|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214041131/https://www.sharesmagazine.co.uk/news/market/7116260/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020 Unilever's Dutch arm shareholders overwhelmingly voted for the N.V. to merge into the PLC.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nilsson |first1=Patricia |title=Unilever wins Dutch backing for London move |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0f3930f1-8a93-4f90-aa09-4a70696e2177 |work=Financial Times |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031120709/https://www.ft.com/content/0f3930f1-8a93-4f90-aa09-4a70696e2177 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2020, Unilever announced that 99% of shareholders in its UK arm agreed with the merger, i.e., voted to base the group in London.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nilsson |first1=Patricia |title=Unilever's London-base move approved by shareholders |url=https://www.ft.com/content/778716fd-ce5d-4bff-8706-43df5ae2687b |work=Financial Times |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025223701/https://www.ft.com/content/778716fd-ce5d-4bff-8706-43df5ae2687b |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unilever.com/Images/unification-of-unilevers-corporate-structure-court-approval_tcm244-556101_en.pdf|title=Unification of Unilever's Corporate Structure – Court Approval|publisher=Unilever|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214040640/https://www.unilever.com/Images/unification-of-unilevers-corporate-structure-court-approval_tcm244-556101_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/unilever-s-dutch-and-british-arms-merge-after-90-years-ahead-of-brexit-1.4421301|title=Unilever's Dutch and British arms merge after 90 years ahead of Brexit|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128233748/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/unilever-s-dutch-and-british-arms-merge-after-90-years-ahead-of-brexit-1.4421301|url-status=live}}</ref> The completion of the unification was announced in November 2020. Since then there is one class of shares.<ref name=standard30nov>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/unilever-unification-completion-london-b114027.html|title='An important day': Unilever announces completion of unification plans|work=Evening Standard|date=30 November 2020|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130110257/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/unilever-unification-completion-london-b114027.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Senior management ===
In January 2019, [[Alan Jope]] succeeded Paul Polman as the chief executive officer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/unilever-boss-paul-polman-steps-down-after-10-years-37577160.html|title=Unilever boss Paul Polman steps down after 10 years|last=Key|first=Alys|date=29 November 2018|work=Irish Independent|access-date=29 November 2018|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408213206/https://www.independent.ie/world-news/unilever-boss-paul-polman-steps-down-after-10-years-37577160.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The chief financial officer, Graeme Pitkethly,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/sales-growth-still-behind-historic-levels-unilever-cfo-graeme-pitkethly/articleshow/61158014.cms|title=Sales growth still behind historic levels: Unilever CFO Graeme Pitkethly|last=Malviya|first=Sagar|date=21 October 2017|work=The Economic Times|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330194705/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/sales-growth-still-behind-historic-levels-unilever-cfo-graeme-pitkethly/articleshow/61158014.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> is executive director. Jope will be proposed as joint executive director at Unilever's 2019 AGM.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.unilever.com/about/who-we-are/our-leadership/alan-jope.html|title=Alan Jope|website=Unilever |access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921135001/https://www.unilever.com/about/who-we-are/our-leadership/alan-jope.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Previously, Paul Polman was CEO for ten years, succeeding Patrick Cescau in 2009.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/news/surprise-move-unilever-names-polman-ceo/130735/|title=In Surprise Move, Unilever Names Polman CEO|access-date=15 August 2018|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815234120/http://adage.com/article/news/surprise-move-unilever-names-polman-ceo/130735/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2019, Unilever announced that Nils Andersen would be replacing Chairman Marijn Dekkers, who stepped down after three years in the role.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-unilever-chairman-idUKKBN1XN0OZ|title=Unilever appoints Nils Andersen as chairman, replacing Dekkers|date=13 November 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=13 November 2019|language=en|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113104457/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-unilever-chairman-idUKKBN1XN0OZ|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2023, it announced [[Hein Schumacher]] as its new CEO, effective July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unilever names former Heinz exec Schumacher as CEO |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/30/unilever-names-hein-schumacher-as-new-ceo.html |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=CNBC |date=30 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In February 2025, Unilever announced Schumacher would step down on 31 May.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klara |first=Robert |date=25 February 2025 |title=After Less than Two Years as CEO, Unilever's Hein Schumacher Receives His Walking Papers |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/after-less-than-two-years-as-ceo-unilevers-hein-schumacher-receives-his-walking-papers/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Gallery of global assets ===
<gallery>
Unilever R&D Centre in Bangalore.jpg|Unilever R&D Centre in Bangalore, India
Colworth atg.jpg|Unilever R&D Centre at [[Colworth House]], [[Sharnbrook]], United Kingdom
Unilever research & development, Port Sunlight.jpg|[[Unilever Research & Development Port Sunlight Laboratory|Unilever R&D Centre in Port Sunlight]], United Kingdom
Marco-Polo-Tower & Unilever-Haus 01.jpg|Unilever-Haus in Hamburg, Germany
Unilever Mannheim Seifenfabrik.jpg|Soap factory in [[Mannheim]], Germany
</gallery>

=== Financial data ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Financial data in € billions'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Unilever Dividende {{!}} KGV {{!}} Bilanz {{!}} Umsatz {{!}} Gewinn|url=https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/Unilever-Aktie/NL0000388619|access-date=28 December 2020|website=boerse.de|language=de|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414074805/https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/Unilever-Aktie/NL0000388619|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Year
!2011
!2012
!2013
!2014
!2015
!2016
!2017
!2018
!2019
!2020
!2021
!2022
!2023
!2024
|-
|[[Revenue]]
|46.467
|51.324
|49.797
|48.436
|53.272
|52.713
|53.715
|50.982
|51.980
|50.724
|52.444
|60.073
|59.604
|60.761
|-
|[[Net Income]]
|4.252
|4.480
|4.842
|5.171
|4.909
|5.184
|6.053
|9.389
|5.625
|5.581
|6.621
|8.269
|7.140
|6.369
|-
|[[Assets]]
|29.583
|30.351
|28.131
|28.385
|32.279
|35.873
|37.108
|39.684
|64.806
|67.659
|75.095
|77.821
|75.266
|79.750
|-
|Employees
|171,000
|172,000
|174,000
|173,000
|169,000
|169,000
|165,000
|158,000
|153,000
|155,000
|149,000
|148,000
|127,000
|128,000
|}

=== Operations ===
The three markets of the United States, China and India account for over one third of turnover.<ref name=ar21>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2021 |url=https://www.unilever.com/files/92ui5egz/production/e582e46a7f7170fd10be32cf65113b738f19f0c2.pdf |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

Thirteen brands account for over half of sales.<ref name=ar21/>

== Brands ==
=== Brands ===
{{further|List of Unilever brands}}Unilever's largest brands include [[Dove (Unilever brand)|Dove]], [[Knorr (brand)|Knorr]], [[Axe (brand)|Axe (Lynx)]], [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Hellmann's]], [[Lifebuoy (soap)|Lifebuoy]], [[Lux (soap)|Lux]], [[Persil|Persil (Omo)]], [[Rexona]], [[Sunlight (cleaning product)|Sunlight]], and [[Sunsilk]].<ref name="autogenerated2" />

== Advertising ==
=== Logo ===
In 1930, the logo of Unilever was in a [[sans-serif]] typeface and all-caps. The current Unilever corporate logo was introduced in 2004 and was designed by [[Wolff Olins]], a brand consultancy agency and Miles Newlyn.<ref>{{cite web |title=Logos |url=https://newlyn.com/logos |access-date=26 June 2025 |publisher=Miles Newlyn}}</ref> The 'U' shape is now made up of 25 distinct symbols, each icon representing one of the company's sub-brands or its corporate values.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Airey |first1=David |date=1 December 2011 |title=Unilever icons explained |url=http://www.logodesignlove.com/unilever-icons |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211083416/http://www.logodesignlove.com/unilever-icons |archive-date=11 February 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |newspaper=Logo Design Love |publisher=Logodesignlove.com}}</ref> The brand identity was developed around the idea of "adding vitality to life".<ref>{{cite web |title=Unilever case study |url=http://www.wolffolins.com/work/unilever |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108213704/http://www.wolffolins.com/work/unilever |archive-date=8 November 2012 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=Wolff Olins}}</ref>

=== Dove ===
[[Dove (toiletries)|Dove]] describes itself as being dedicated to "help&nbsp;... women develop a positive relationship with the way they look – helping them raise their self-esteem and realize their full potential".<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Vision |url=http://www.mydove.com.au/en/Our-Mission/Our-Vision/default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228221735/http://www.mydove.com.au/en/Our-Mission/Our-Vision/default.aspx |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=21 March 2015 |work=mydove.com.au}}</ref> Dove uses advertising to display messages of positive self-esteem. In September 2004 Dove created a Real Beauty campaign,<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 July 2004 |title='Real women' ad sets new trend |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3936887.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809160921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3936887.stm |archive-date=9 August 2020 |access-date=14 July 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref> focusing predominately on women of all shapes and colour. Later in 2007, this campaign furthered itself to include women of all ages. This campaign consisted mostly of advertisements, shown on television and popularised by the internet. Dove fell under scrutiny from the general public as they felt the Dove advertisements described the opinion that cellulite was still unsightly and that women's ageing process was something for which to be ashamed.<ref>{{cite web |title=WIMN – Dove's "Real Beauty" Backlash |url=http://www.wimnonline.org/articles/dovebacklash.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023522/http://www.wimnonline.org/articles/dovebacklash.html |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=21 March 2015 |work=wimnonline.org}}</ref>

=== Axe/Lynx ===
[[Axe (brand)|Axe]], known as Lynx in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, is a toiletries brand marketed towards young men between the ages of 16 and 24.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |author=Claire Cozens |title=Lynx marketing campaign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/nov/20/marketingandpr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809161055/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/nov/20/marketingandpr |archive-date=9 August 2020 |access-date=21 March 2015 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Its marketing is a "tongue-in-cheek take on the 'mating game{{'"}}, suggesting that women are instantly drawn to men who use the products.<ref name="bbcdirtier">{{cite news |date=23 November 2011 |title='Offensive' Lynx adverts banned by advertising watchdog |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15849142 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319234159/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15849142 |archive-date=19 March 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodionova |first1=Zlata |date=23 June 2016 |title=Unilever, the owner of Magnum and Lynx, vows to end gender stereotyping in its adverts |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uniliver-the-owner-of-magnum-and-lynx-vows-to-end-gender-stereotyping-in-its-adverts-a7097686.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223131307/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uniliver-the-owner-of-magnum-and-lynx-vows-to-end-gender-stereotyping-in-its-adverts-a7097686.html |archive-date=23 February 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Unlike Dove's long-running beauty campaign, Lynx advertising often creates mini-series of advertisements based around a singular product rather than communicating an overarching idea. Using images the company knows it will receive complaints garners the brand more free publicity and notoriety, often through controversy. A wide variety of these adverts have been banned in countries around the world. In 2012, Lynx's 'Clean Balls' advert was banned. In 2011, in the United Kingdom, Lynx's shower gel campaign was banned.<ref name="bbcdirtier" /><ref>{{cite web |date=23 November 2011 |title=ASA Ruling on Unilever UK Ltd |url=https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2011/11/Unilever-UK-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_166988.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223213533/https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2011/11/Unilever-UK-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_166988.aspx |archive-date=23 February 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 |publisher=[[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]]}}</ref>

Both advertising campaigns make stark comparisons between how women and their sexuality are portrayed in advertising and sales efficiency. Lynx commonly portrays women as [[Hypersexuality|hypersexual]], flawless and stereotypically attractive who are aroused by men, of all ages and stature, because of their use of the Lynx product.<ref name="theguardian.com" />

=== Social media advertising ===
On 26 June 2020, Unilever said it would halt advertising to US customers on social media giants Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter until at least the end of 2020 following a campaign started by various American civil-rights groups, such as [[Anti-Defamation League|the Anti-Defamation League]] and [[NAACP|the NAACP]], protesting Facebook's policies on hate speech and misinformation named [[2020 Facebook ad boycotts|"Stop Hate For Profit"]].<ref name="Patel">{{Cite news|last=Patel|first=Sahil|date=17 December 2020|title=Unilever Says It Will Resume Advertising on Facebook in U.S.|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-says-it-will-resume-advertising-on-facebook-in-u-s-11608245092 |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 December 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224233256/https://www.wsj.com/articles/unilever-says-it-will-resume-advertising-on-facebook-in-u-s-11608245092|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Stop Hate for Profit|url=https://www.stophateforprofit.org/|access-date=25 December 2020|website=stophateforprofit.org |language=en|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617204533/https://www.stophateforprofit.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Unilever did not formally sign on to the campaign. The company cited their "Responsibility Framework and the polarized atmosphere in the U.S." and said that "continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fung|first=Brian|date=26 June 2020|title=Facebook and Twitter stocks dive as Unilever halts advertising|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/26/tech/facebook-twitter-stock-unilever/index.html|access-date=26 June 2020|publisher=CNN|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005934/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/26/tech/facebook-twitter-stock-unilever/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Later that year in December, Unilever revealed it would resume advertising on Facebook and its affiliated platforms, stating that Facebook had made enough progress in changing their management to continue advertising with them. Executive vice-president of global media for the company, Luis Di Como, released a clarifying statement: "We are encouraged by the commitments the platforms are making to build healthier environments for consumers, brands and society in alignment with the principles of the [[World Federation of Advertisers|Global Alliance for Responsible Media]]. This is why we plan to end our social media investment pause in the U.S. in January. We will continue to reassess our position as necessary."<ref name="Patel"/>

=== Corporate sponsorship ===
From 2000 to 2012 Unilever sponsored the Turbine Hall commissions at [[Tate Modern]], which became known as The Unilever Series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tate |title=The Unilever Series {{!}} Tate Modern |url=https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/unilever-series |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Tate |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Competition ==
Unilever's largest international competitors are [[Nestlé]] and [[Procter & Gamble]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sterling |first=Toby |date=4 September 2008 |title=Unilever: Nestle executive to take CEO job |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-09-04-2803687966_x.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309201100/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-09-04-2803687966_x.htm |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=9 April 2012 |work=USA Today}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

=== Price-fixing ===
In April 2011, Unilever was fined €104&nbsp;million by the [[European Commission]] for [[Procter & Gamble#Price fixing|establishing a price-fixing cartel]] for washing powder in Europe, along with [[Procter & Gamble]] and [[Henkel]].<ref>{{cite news |date=13 April 2011 |title=Unilever and Procter & Gamble in price fixing fine |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13064928 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509100638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13064928 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

In 2016, Unilever and Procter & Gamble were both fined by [[Autorité de la concurrence]] in France for price-fixing on personal hygiene products.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 October 2016 |title=Huge price-fixing fine is upheld |url=http://www.connexionfrance.com/court-appeal-price-fixing-fine-upheld-consumer-companies-gillette-loreal-procter-gamble-sc-johnson-18567-view-article.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170209165431/http://www.connexionfrance.com/court-appeal-price-fixing-fine-upheld-consumer-companies-gillette-loreal-procter-gamble-sc-johnson-18567-view-article.html |archive-date=9 February 2017 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=The Connexion}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Legrand |first=Gaëlle |date=28 October 2016 |title=Amende record confirmée pour L'Oréal, Gillette et Colgate-Palmolive |url=http://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/commerce/amende-record-confirmee-pour-l-oreal-gillette-et-colgate-palmolive-4586024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102165300/http://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/commerce/amende-record-confirmee-pour-l-oreal-gillette-et-colgate-palmolive-4586024 |archive-date=2 November 2016 |access-date=22 February 2017 |work=[[Ouest-France]] |language=fr}}</ref>

=== Hampton Creek lawsuit ===
In November 2014, Unilever filed a lawsuit against rival [[Eat Just|Hampton Creek]].<ref name="washingtonpost2014">{{Cite news |last=Harwell |first=Drew |date=10 November 2014 |title=Big Food's weird war over the meaning of mayonnaise, America's top condiment |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2014/11/10/big-foods-weird-war-over-the-meaning-of-mayonnaise-americas-top-condiment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626183116/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2014/11/10/big-foods-weird-war-over-the-meaning-of-mayonnaise-americas-top-condiment/ |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=21 June 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In the suit,<ref>{{cite news |title=Hampton Creek Plans To Counter-Sue Unilever Over Mayo Fight |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/11/hampton-creek-plans-to-counter-sue-unilever-over-mayo-fight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113223417/http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/11/hampton-creek-plans-to-counter-sue-unilever-over-mayo-fight/ |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |publisher=TechCrunch}}</ref> Unilever claimed that Hampton Creek was "seizing market share" and the losses were causing Unilever "irreparable harm". Unilever used standard of identity regulations in claiming that Hampton Creek's [[Just Mayo]] products are falsely advertised because they don't contain eggs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hellmann's Maker Sues Competitor Because Free Markets Are Hard |url=http://reason.com/blog/2014/11/11/hellmanns-mayo-sues-competitor-becauseco |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113165535/http://reason.com/blog/2014/11/11/hellmanns-mayo-sues-competitor-becauseco |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |work=Reason}}</ref> ''The Washington Post''<ref name="washingtonpost2014" /> headline on the suit read "Big Food's Weird War Over The Meaning of Mayonnaise." ''The Los Angeles Times''<ref>{{cite news |title=Vegan Mayonnaise Maker Sued By Food Giant Unilever |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-just-mayo-20141110-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113040105/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-just-mayo-20141110-story.html |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> began its story with "Big Tobacco, Big Oil, now Big Mayo?" A ''Wall Street Journal'' writer described that "Giant corporation generates huge quantities of free advertising and brand equity for tiny rival by suing it."<ref>{{cite news |title=Giant Corporation Generates Huge Quantities of Free Advertising and Brand Equity For Tiny Rival by Suing It |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/mims/status/532464851264999424 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109091720/https://mobile.twitter.com/mims/status/532464851264999424 |archive-date=9 January 2015 |access-date=14 November 2014 |publisher=@mims/Twitter}}</ref> In December 2014, Unilever dropped the claim.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hampton Creek: The History of a Mayo Startup in 5 Controversies |url=http://fortune.com/2016/09/23/hampton-creek-controversies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621194122/http://fortune.com/2016/09/23/hampton-creek-controversies/ |archive-date=21 June 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

=== Pressuring media to promote skin whiteners ===
Kinita Shenoy, an editor of the [[Sri Lanka]] edition of ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'', refused to promote skin whiteners for a brand of Unilever. Unilever put pressure on Shenoy and asked ''Cosmopolitan'' to fire her.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2020 |title=Unilever Pushed Asian Influencers To Promote Skin Whiteners. They Fought Back. |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/meghara/unilever-sri-lankan-influencers-skin-whiteners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103064806/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/meghara/unilever-sri-lankan-influencers-skin-whiteners |archive-date=3 November 2020 |access-date=24 July 2020 |website=BuzzFeed News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crèmes blanchissantes : Unilever fait virer une journaliste – Par La rédaction &#124; Arrêt sur images |url=https://www.arretsurimages.net/articles/cremes-blanchissantes-unilever-fait-virer-une-journaliste |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905001423/https://www.arretsurimages.net/articles/cremes-blanchissantes-unilever-fait-virer-une-journaliste |archive-date=5 September 2020 |access-date=24 July 2020 |website=arretsurimages.net}}</ref>

=== Violence against striking workers ===
In 2019, security forces hired by Unilever attacked workers that were peacefully picketing at a Unilever facility in Durban in South Africa. Workers were shot at with rubber bullets and paint balls and [[pepper sprayed]] while attempting to walk to their cars parked on the premises. Four workers were seriously injured.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carlile |first1=Clare |date=11 September 2020 |title=Is Unilever still failing to respect its workers rights? |url=https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/unilever-still-failing-respect-its-workers-rights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206070632/https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/unilever-still-failing-respect-its-workers-rights |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=Ethical Consumer |language=en}}</ref>
=== Mercury contamination ===
In 2001, a mercury thermometer factory operated by the Indian subsidiary of Unilever in the South Indian hilltown of [[Kodaikanal]] was shut down by state regulators after the company was caught dumping toxic mercury wastes in a densely populated part of town.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Eade |first1=Deborah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jS-kRbWjeWwC&q=unilever+subsidiary+mercury+thermometer+2001&pg=PA84 |title=Development and the Private Sector: Consuming Interests |last2=Sayer |first2=John |date=2006 |publisher=Kumarian Press |isbn=978-1-56549-218-9 |language=en |access-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414052638/https://books.google.com/books?id=jS-kRbWjeWwC&q=unilever+subsidiary+mercury+thermometer+2001&pg=PA84 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> By the company's own admissions, more than 2 tonnes of mercury were discharged into Kodaikanal's environment. A 2011 [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (India)|Government of India]] study on workers' health concluded that many workers suffered from illnesses caused by workplace exposure to mercury.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=9 November 2011 |title=Final Report of the GOI Committee |url=http://kodaimercury.org/final-report-of-the-goi-committee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809163443/http://kodaimercury.org/final-report-of-the-goi-committee/ |archive-date=9 August 2020 |access-date=11 March 2019 |publisher=Government of India}}</ref> The scandal opened up a series of issues in India such as [[corporate liability]], [[corporate accountability]] and corporate negligence.<ref name=":2" />

In March 2016, Unilever reached an out of court settlement (for an undisclosed amount) with 591 ex-workers of the unit who had sued the company for knowingly exposing them to the toxic element.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 March 2016 |title=After 15 years Unilever settles with Indian factory workers over mercury poisoning |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/03/09/after-15-years-unilever-settles-with-indian-factory-workers-over-mercury-poisoning/?noredirect=on |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309201112/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/03/09/after-15-years-unilever-settles-with-indian-factory-workers-over-mercury-poisoning/?noredirect=on |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

=== Palm oil ===
In 2014, Unilever was criticised by [[Greenpeace]] for causing [[deforestation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Unilever admits toxic dumping: will clean up but not come clean |url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/unilever-admits-toxic-dumping-will-clean-up-but-not-come-clean |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508042719/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/unilever-admits-toxic-dumping-will-clean-up-but-not-come-clean |archive-date=8 May 2014 |access-date=7 May 2014 |publisher=Greenpeace}}</ref> In 2008, Greenpeace UK<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ape protest at Unilever factory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7358071.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424231140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7358071.stm |archive-date=24 April 2008 |access-date=23 March 2008 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> criticised the company for buying [[palm oil]] from suppliers that were damaging Indonesia's rainforests.<ref name="Palm Oil: Cooking the Climate">{{cite web |title=Palm Oil: Cooking the Climate |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/palm-oil_cooking-the-climate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520154006/http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/palm-oil_cooking-the-climate/ |archive-date=20 May 2013 |access-date=9 April 2013 |publisher=Greenpeace}}</ref> By 2008, Indonesia was losing 2% of its remaining rainforest each year, having the fastest deforestation rate of any country. The [[United Nations Environment Programme|United Nations Environmental Programme]] stated that palm oil plantations are the leading cause of [[deforestation in Indonesia]].<ref name="Palm Oil: Cooking the Climate" />

Furthermore, Indonesia was the 14th<ref>{{Cite web |title=EDGAR – GHG (CO2, CH4, N2O, F-gases) emission time series 1990–2012 per region/country |url=http://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/overview.php?v=CO2ts1990-2014&sort=des9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208125157/http://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/overview.php?v=CO2ts1990-2014&sort=des9 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=21 November 2016 |publisher=European Commission}}</ref> largest emitter of greenhouse gases, largely due to the destruction of rainforests for the palm oil industry, which contributed to 4% of global green house gas emissions.<ref name="Greenpeace International">{{cite web |title=How Unilever Palm Oil Suppliers are Burning Up Borneo |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/planet-2/report/2009/10/how-unilever-palm-oil-supplier.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104105214/http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/planet-2/report/2009/10/how-unilever-palm-oil-supplier.pdf |archive-date=4 January 2014 |access-date=10 April 2013 |publisher=Greenpeace International}}</ref> According to [[Greenpeace]], palm oil expansion was taking place with little oversight from central or local government as procedures for environmental impact assessment, land-use planning and ensuring a proper process for development of concessions were neglected.<ref name="Greenpeace International" /> Plantations that were off-limits, by law, for palm oil plantations were being established as well as the illegal use of fire to clear forest areas was commonplace.<ref name="Greenpeace International" />

Unilever, as a founding member of the [[Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil]] (RSPO), responded by publicising its plan to obtain all of its palm oil from sources that are certified as sustainable by 2015.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 August 2012 |title=Unilever commits to certified sustainable palm oil &#124; Unilever Global |url=http://www.unilever.com/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/Unilevercommitstocertifiedsustainablepalmoil.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221230911/http://unilever.com/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/Unilevercommitstocertifiedsustainablepalmoil.aspx |archive-date=21 February 2013 |access-date=26 October 2012 |publisher=Unilever.com}}</ref> It claims to have met this goal in 2012 and is encouraging the rest of the industry to become 100% sustainable by 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unilever's Position on Palm Oil Sourcing |url=https://www.unilever.com/Images/palm-oil-sourcing-position-statement_tcm244-423162_1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918215250/https://www.unilever.com/Images/palm-oil-sourcing-position-statement_tcm244-423162_1.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2015 |access-date=7 August 2015 }}</ref>

In [[Ivory Coast|Côte d'Ivoire]], one of Unilever's palm oil suppliers was accused of clearing forest for plantations, an activity that threatened a [[primate]] species, [[Miss Waldron's red colobus]]. Unilever intervened to halt the clearances pending the results of an environmental assessment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manifesto for the Conservation of the Tanoé Swamps Forest |url=http://www.manifeste-fmt.org/updates.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121162000/http://www.manifeste-fmt.org/updates.php |archive-date=21 November 2008 |access-date=19 July 2008 }}</ref>

According to an [[Amnesty International]] report published in 2016, Unilever's palm oil supplier [[Wilmar International]] profited from [[child labour]] and [[forced labour]]. Some workers were extorted, threatened or not paid for work. Some workers suffered severe injuries from banned chemicals. In 2016, Singapore-based Wilmar International was the world's biggest palm oil grower.<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa21/5184/2016/en/ The great palm oil scandal: Labour abuses behind big brand names] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210624/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa21/5184/2016/en/|date=23 April 2018}} Amnesty International 30 November 2016</ref>

=== Plastic pollution ===
[[File:Single-use_sachet_of_laundry_detergent_from_Sri_Lanka.jpg|thumb|303x303px|Single-use sachet of Unilever's Sunlight detergent. The packaging is criticised for being not recyclable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polman |first=Paul |title=Plastics are in our air, food, and water. A reckoning is coming–and smart businesses can see it |url=https://fortune.com/europe/2023/05/24/plastics-air-food-water-reckoning-business-environment-paul-polman/ |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=Fortune Europe |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />]]
In 2019, Unilever was cited by BreakFreeFromPlastic as one of the top ten global plastic polluters.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Segran |first=Elizabeth |date=1 November 2019 |title=Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo are the world's biggest plastic polluters – again |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90425011/coca-cola-nestle-and-pepsico-are-the-worlds-biggest-plastic-polluters-again |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208145659/https://www.fastcompany.com/90425011/coca-cola-nestle-and-pepsico-are-the-worlds-biggest-plastic-polluters-again |archive-date=8 February 2020 |access-date=17 February 2020 |magazine=Fast Company |language=en-US}}</ref> Unilever produces 6.4 billion unrecyclable plastic sachets per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unilever slammed for breaking plastics pledge in Greenpeace report |url=https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/unilever-slammed-for-breaking-plastics-pledge-in-greenpeace |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=cosmeticsbusiness.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Underwood |first=Kate |date=30 November 2023 |title=Unilever Sells 1,700 Single-Use Product Pouches Every Second, Ignoring Plastic Reduction Pledge |url=https://www.greenmatters.com/news/unilever-ignores-plastic-pledge |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=Green Matters |language=en-US}}</ref>

Nevertheless, in 2019, Unilever announced that it plans to halve its non-recycled plastic packaging by 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2019 |title=Unilever plans to halve its non-recycled plastic packaging by 2025. |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/07/767983664/unilever-vows-to-reduce-plastic-packaging-use-by-2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414045025/https://www.npr.org/2019/10/07/767983664/unilever-vows-to-reduce-plastic-packaging-use-by-2025 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=31 December 2020 |publisher=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2019 |title=Unilever says it wants to halve its use of 'virgin' plastic by 2025 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/07/unilever-says-it-wants-to-halve-its-use-of-virgin-plastic-by-2025.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218205811/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/07/unilever-says-it-wants-to-halve-its-use-of-virgin-plastic-by-2025.html |archive-date=18 February 2021 |access-date=31 December 2020 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref> In 2020, Unilever joined 13 EU member states and more than 60 companies to sign a pact to use recycled plastic for all plastic packaging and single-use plastic products by 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 March 2020 |title=Nestle, Unilever Join EU Nations on Voluntary Plastic Recycling |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/nestle-unilever-join-eu-nations-on-voluntary-plastic-recycling |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414050717/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/nestle-unilever-join-eu-nations-on-voluntary-plastic-recycling |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=31 December 2020 |work=Bloomberg Law}}</ref>

In June 2022, a [[Reuters]] report revealed that Unilever had lobbied the governments of India and the [[Philippines]] to stop legislation which would ban the sale of cosmetics in single-use [[Packet (container)|plastic sachets]], despite vowing in 2020 to stop using them.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last1=Brock |first1=Joe |last2=Geddie |first2=John |date=22 June 2022 |title=Unilever's Plastic Playbook |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-plastic-unilever/ |access-date=23 June 2022 |website=Reuters}}</ref> The design of these sachets had been called 'evil' by Hanneke Faber, Unilever's president for Global Food and Refreshments, 'because you cannot recycle it'. The bans were then dropped by lawmakers. In [[Sri Lanka]], the company pressed the government to reconsider a proposed ban on sachets, and then tried to manoeuvre around the ban after regulations were implemented.<ref name=":3" />

=== Rainforest Alliance ===
{{Main|Rainforest Alliance#Criticism and response}}

Unilever certifies its tea products by the [[Rainforest Alliance]] scheme. The company has stated that at least 50% of the tea in its products originates from certified farms, compared to the Alliance's 30% minimum entry point. Unilever decided on the scheme over [[Fair trade certification|Fairtrade]], because according to the company's analysis, Fairtrade might "lack the scale and the organizational flexibility to certify industrial tea estates".<ref>{{cite web |title=Unilever sustainable tea Part 1: Leapfrogging to mainstream |url=https://saiplatform.org/uploads/Modules/Library/imd-casestudyunileversustainabletea.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812082730/http://www.saiplatform.org/uploads/Modules/Library/imd-casestudyunileversustainabletea.pdf |archive-date=12 August 2017 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref>

The Rainforest Alliance certification scheme has been criticised for not offering producers minimum or guaranteed price,<ref>Ethical Corporation (January 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080720191930/http://www.fta.org.au/files/20052145553_Bean_Wars.pdf Bean Wars]. Retrieved 20 July 2008.</ref> therefore, leaving them vulnerable to market price variations. The alternative certificate, Fairtrade, has [[Fair trade debate|received similar criticism]]. The Rainforest Alliance certification [[Rainforest Alliance#Use of seal|has furthermore been criticised]] for allowing the use of the seal on products that contain only a minimum of 30% of certified content, which according to some endangers the integrity of the certification.<ref name="transfairusa1">{{cite web |date=27 June 2009 |title=TransFair USA &#124; Board Members |url=http://www.transfairusa.org/content/about/board.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109100107/http://www.transfairusa.org/content/about/board.php |archive-date=9 January 2011 |access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>

=== Salmonella contamination ===
In July 2016, rumours about [[salmonella]] contamination in cereals spread among [[Israel]]i consumers.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2016 |title=Where have all the cornflakes gone? |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4834118,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831124027/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4834118,00.html |archive-date=31 August 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016 |work=ynet |language=en}}</ref> Initially, Unilever did not provide public information about the subject and queries on the matter were rebuffed by the company as a non-story and nonsense. On 26 July 2016, Unilever had stopped transferring cornflakes to retailer chains.<ref>{{cite journal |last=דברת-מזריץ |first=עדי |date=27 July 2016 |title=מה גרם ליוניליוור לעצור את שיווקן של אלפי אריזות דגני בוקר? |url=http://www.themarker.com/advertising/1.3020532 |url-status=live |journal=TheMarker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922053124/http://www.themarker.com/advertising/1.3020532 |archive-date=22 September 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref> On 28 July, [[Yedioth Ahronoth]] reported tens of thousands of boxes of breakfast cereal had been destroyed.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2016 |title=Contamination feared in Israeli cornflakes |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/215664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731092646/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/215664 |archive-date=31 July 2016 |access-date=1 August 2016 |publisher=Arutz Sheva}}</ref> By 28 July, despite the company's assurances that nothing contaminated was released for consumption, many customers stopped buying Unilever products and started to throw away all [[cornflakes]] made by Unilever.<ref name="ynet">{{cite news |date=28 July 2016 |title=Salmonella in cornflakes: 'I don't trust Unilever products anymore' |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4834457,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801065803/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4834457,00.html |archive-date=1 August 2016 |access-date=1 August 2016 |work=[[ynetnews]]}}</ref> The company withheld information about the affected production dates.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=דברת-מזריץ |first1=עדי |last2=זרחיה |first2=צבי |date=1 August 2016 |title=הזיהום בקורנפלקס: יוניליוור מסרבת לחשוף תאריכי הייצור וכמה אלימים החיידקים |url=http://www.themarker.com/advertising/1.3024608 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025173224/http://www.themarker.com/advertising/1.3024608 |archive-date=25 October 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |magazine=themarker.com |via=TheMarker}}</ref> Unilever had published more information about Telma cereals handled on the packaging line in which the contamination was discovered and that a Telma announcement had been made: "We again stress that all Telma products in the stores and in your homes are safe to eat. According to our company's strict procedures, every production batch is checked and put on hold. These products are not marketed until test results for this product series are returned, confirming that all is well. If any flaw is discovered, the batch is not marketed to stores, as was the case."<ref>{{cite news |title=Unilever Israel updates on cereal contamination |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-unilever-israel-updates-on-cereal-contamination-1001143437 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815103418/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-unilever-israel-updates-on-cereal-contamination-1001143437 |archive-date=15 August 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |work=Globes}}</ref> In the following days the Health Minister, [[Yaakov Litzman|Yakov Litzman]], threatened to pull Unilever's licence in Israel. He accused Unilever of lying to his ministry regarding salmonella-infected breakfast cereals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Health minister threatens to revoke Unilever's license after recall |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4837833,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109012159/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4837833,00.html |archive-date=9 November 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref>

On 7 August 2016, ''Globes'' reported that contamination may be sourced in pigeon faeces, the Health Ministry said that there might be other sources for the contamination and pigeon faeces are not the only possible source. Globes also said that the production line is automatic ("without human hands") and the possibility that the source is human is a very slim chance.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 August 2016 |title=האם קורנפלקס של יוניליוור בא במגע עם לשלשת יונים או הפרשות עובד? |url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001144517 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808143118/http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001144517 |archive-date=8 August 2016 |access-date=7 August 2016 |work=Globes}}</ref> On 8 August 2016, the Israeli Health minister suspended a manufacturing licence until Unilever carry out several corrections; the action came after an inspection of the [[Arad, Israel|Arad]] plant, stating "This was a series of negligent mistakes and not an incident with malicious intent by the firm's management and quality control procedures."<ref>{{cite news |date=8 August 2016 |title=Unilever has license suspended for selling Salmonella-tainted cornflakes |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/health-ministry-salmonella-tainted-cornflakes-plant-was-negligent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808145051/http://www.timesofisrael.com/health-ministry-salmonella-tainted-cornflakes-plant-was-negligent/ |archive-date=8 August 2016 |access-date=8 August 2016 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> An investigation led by Itamr Grutto and Eli Gordon concluded that the event was caused by negligence.<ref name="walla2016">{{cite web |date=31 August 2016 |title=חשד נוסף לסלמונלה: ספק טחינה גדול הודיע על החזרת מוצרים – וואלה! חדשות |url=http://news.walla.co.il/item/2992992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105141749/http://news.walla.co.il/item/2992992 |archive-date=5 November 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref> Reportedly the cereals produced between the 18th and 20th at the Arad plant had traces of salmonella.<ref>{{cite news |title=סלמונלה במפעל יוניליוור? החברה: האריזות לא יצאו לשיווק – גלובס |url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?fbdid=1001153994 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214040744/https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?fbdid=1001153994 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref>

Two class actions were filed in Israel, one for a sum of 1.2&nbsp;million [[Israeli new shekel|NIS]] (~$329K USD) against Unilever for hiding the contamination and misleading the public,<ref>{{cite news |last1=לוי |first1=זוהר שחר |date=2 August 2016 |title=ייצוגית ראשונה בפרשת הקורנפלקס: צרכנים דורשים 1.2 מיליון שקל מיונילוור ישראל |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4836399,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105152915/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4836399,00.html |archive-date=5 November 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |newspaper=Ynet}}</ref> and another for a sum of 76 million NIS (~$23m USD) against Unilever after a 15-year-old teen had been hospitalised for [[Salmonellosis]] after allegedly contracting it from Unilever products.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 August 2016 |title=עוד ייצוגית נגד יוניליוור: "הסתירה את הסלמונלה במשך יותר מחודש" |url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001147914 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825181033/http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001147914 |archive-date=25 August 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016 |work=Globes}}</ref>

On 31 August 2016, Unilever stated that the [[Tahini|Tehina]] products produced by RJM had been contaminated by salmonella.<ref name="walla2016" />

===Trade in the occupied Palestinian Territories===
In July 2021, Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's announced plans to end sales in [[Palestinian territories|Occupied Palestinian Territory]], within which [[Israeli settlement]]s are considered [[International law and Israeli settlements|illegal under international law]], while continuing sales in other parts of Israel.<ref name=Guardian>{{cite web |last=Hage |first=Mark |date=5 August 2021 |title=We got Ben & Jerry's to stop selling in Israeli settlements. Here's how we did it|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/05/ben-jerrys-israel-settlement |work=The Guardian |access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref> Prior to the release of the statement, Unilever had clashed with Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's independent board of directors, which had not wanted to comment on the continuation of sales in other parts of Israel, as this required board approval.<ref name=IsraelBoycott>{{cite web |last=Solon |first=Olivia |date=20 July 2021 |title=Ben & Jerry's withdraws sales from Israeli settlements but clashes with parent company Unilever |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ben-jerry-s-withdraws-sales-israeli-settlements-clashes-parent-company-n1274403 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref> Board chair Anuradha Mittal said the board had resolved to end sales in Israeli settlements in July 2020, but the CEO, Matthew McCarthy, appointed by Unilever in 2018, "never operationalized" the resolution.<ref name=IsraelBoycott/>

It has also been suggested that the decision — while not technically a boycott, given the lack of legal recognition of the Palestinian Territories as a formal part of Israel under Israeli law — may run foul of [[Anti-BDS laws|anti-boycott laws]] in a number of US states.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/how-us-laws-against-israel-boycotts-could-hit-ben-and-jerrys-674466|title=How US laws against Israel boycotts could hit Ben & Jerry's |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |first=Ron |last=Kampeas |date=21 July 2021 |access-date=23 July 2021}}</ref> On 3 August 2021, governor of Florida [[Ron DeSantis]] announced that he had placed Unilever on a list of "Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel" as a result of Ben & Jerry's decision to "engage in the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS]] movement".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jordan |date=3 August 2021 |title=Florida takes action against Ben & Jerry's parent company amid fight over Israel |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/566069-florida-takes-action-against-ben-jerrys-parent-company-amid-boycott |access-date=3 August 2021 |website=The Hill |language=en}}</ref> On 9 September, the [[State of Arizona]] committed to totally divest from Unilever by 21 September.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazaroff |first1=Tovah |title=Arizona divests from Ben & Jerry's over its 'antisemitic' Israel boycott |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/arizona-divests-from-ben-and-jerrys-over-its-antisemitic-israel-boycott-678967 |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=9 September 2021}}</ref> On 14 September, the [[State of New Jersey]] also gave Unilever 90 days' notice of divestment action.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magid |first1=Jacob |title=New Jersey moves to divest from Ben & Jerry's, Unilever over settlement ban |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-jersey-moves-to-divest-from-ben-jerrys-parent-firm-over-settlement-bds/ |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=Times of Israel |date=15 September 2021}}</ref> Other states, including [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Illinois]], took similar steps against Unilever.<ref>{{cite news |title=Illinois bars state pensions from owning Unilever over Israel |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/illinois-bars-state-pensions-owning-unilever-over-israel-2021-12-23/ |work=Reuters |date=23 December 2021}}</ref> 

In June 2022, Unilever announced that it had sold its Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's division in Israel to American Quality Products, the company that has the exclusive licence to sell Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's products in Israel and the Palestinian territories.<ref name= touts>Zilber, Ariel (29 June 2022). "[https://nypost.com/2022/06/29/israel-declares-victory-over-anti-semites-after-unilever-sells-ben-jerrys/ Israel touts victory over 'anti-Semites' as Ben & Jerry's sold to local licensee]". ''New York Post''.</ref> The sale of the division to American Quality Products allows it to continue to sell Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's products in Israel and the Palestinian territories.<ref name= touts/> Later that day, Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's tweeted that it disagreed with its parent company's decision and that the "arrangement means Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. [...] We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben&nbsp;&&nbsp;Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."<ref>Zilber, Ariel (30 June 2022). "[https://nypost.com/2022/06/30/ben-jerrys-slams-parent-company-unilevers-sale-of-ice-cream-brand-to-israeli-licensee/ Ben & Jerry's slam Unilever's ice cream sale to Israeli licensee]". ''New York Post''.</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author= Ben & Jerry's |user= benandjerrys |number= 1542241528470437890 |date= 30 June 2022 |title= We are aware of the Unilever announcement |script-title= |trans-title= |language= |retweet= |location= |access-date= 22 August 2022 |link= |url-status= |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629234842/https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1542241528470437890 |archive-date= 29 June 2022 |quote= "We are aware of the Unilever announcement. While our parent company has taken this decision, we do not agree with it. Unilever's arrangement means Ben & Jerry's in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. Our company will no longer profit from Ben & Jerry's in Israel. We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben & Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." |ref=}}</ref>

===Trade in Russia amid the Russo-Ukrainian War===
Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, many Western companies curtailed their operations in [[Russia]] and [[Belarus]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Over 1,000 Companies Have Curtailed Operations in Russia—But Some Remain |url=https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain |publisher=Yale School of Management |accessdate=19 May 2023}}</ref> Unilever suspended all imports from and exports to Russia, but its Russian wing continued to trade there.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unilever refuses to stop selling products in Russia despite championing 'social purpose' |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=9 February 2023 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/02/09/unilever-refuses-stop-selling-products-russia-despite-championing/|publisher=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=19 May 2023 |last1=Woolfson |first1=Daniel |last2=Gill |first2=Oliver }}</ref> Between 2021 and 2022, profits in Russia doubled to 9.2&nbsp;billion rubles (€108&nbsp;million) and the business paid 3.2&nbsp;billion rubles (€38&nbsp;million) in taxes, giving rise to criticism that the company was directly helping to fund Russia's war effort in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Action with Ukraine |url=https://actionwithukraine.net/unilever-in-russia-ukraine/ |publisher=Action With Ukraine |accessdate=19 May 2023}}</ref> In response to this, and other claims that the company had broken previous promises to only sell essential items, Unilever's then-CEO, [[Alan Jope]], said "We still believe that staying is the best option, both to prevent our company from falling directly or indirectly into Russian hands and to protect our people."<ref>{{cite web |title=Unilever doubles profits in Russia, but says it didn't break earlier promises | date=12 May 2023 |url=https://nltimes.nl/2023/05/12/unilever-doubles-profits-russia-says-didnt-break-earlier-promises#:~:text=We%20will%20not%20invest%20any,essential%20food%20and%20hygiene%20products.%E2%80%9D |publisher=NL Times |accessdate=19 May 2023}}</ref>

In July 2023, the Ukrainian [[National Agency on Corruption Prevention]] included Unilever in their list of "[[International Sponsors of War|war sponsors]]" for not ceasing operations in Russia and continuing to profit from this market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/07/2023/64a2c9849a794726336541b1|title=Украина внесла компанию Unilever в список «спонсоров войны»|language=ru|date=3 July 2023|website=[[Rbc.ru]]}}</ref> The same month, Unilever's new CEO, [[Hein Schumacher]], told reporters the company had considered leaving Russia, but had concluded that "operating our business in a constrained manner is the least bad option and that is where we are."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/abandon-sell-keep-unilevers-russia-conundrum-2023-07-25/|title=Abandon, sell, keep? Unilever's Russia conundrum|date=25 July 2023|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> 

However, on 10 October 2024, Schumacher announced on the company's website that Unilever had finalised the sale of its Russian business to the [[Arnest Group]]; a Russian manufacturer of perfume, cosmetics, and household products. The sale included all of Unilever’s business in Russia, including four factories, and its business in Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2024/unilever-statement-oct-2024/|title=Unilever completes sale of Russian subsidiary|date=10 October 2024|website=Unilever.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/10/unilever-sells-russian-business-after-pressure-from-campaigners|title=Unilever sells Russian business after pressure from campaigners|date=10 October 2024|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=15 October 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of food companies]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Austin, James and James Quinn. ''Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission and Brand within Unilever'' (Harvard Business School Publishing, 2005)
* Fieldhouse, D. K. ''Unilever overseas: The anatomy of a multinational 1895–1965'' (Hoover Institution Press, 1979).
* Jones, Geoffrey. ''Renewing Unilever: Transformation and Tradition'' (2005) [https://www.amazon.com/Renewing-Unilever-Transformation-Geoffrey-Jones/dp/0199269432/ excerpt]
* Sitapati, Sudhir. ''The CEO Factory: Management Lessons from Hindustan Unilever'' (2019)
* Wilson, Charles. 1954. ''The History of Unilever: A Study in Economic Growth and Social Change''. Cassell and Company.
* Wubs, Ben. ''International business and national war interests: Unilever between Reich and empire, 1939–45'' (Taylor & Francis, 2008)

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Unilever}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Finance links
| symbol = ULVR
| sec_cik = 217410
| google = ULVR:LON
| yahoo = ULVR.L
| bloomberg = ULVR:LN
| reuters = ULVR.L
}}

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