Unilever has announced the launch of a new AI-powered Global Innovation Centre in New Haven, Connecticut, aimed at accelerating research and development across its beauty, wellbeing, and personal care portfolio. The digital-first facility is designed to strengthen the company’s innovation capabilities by combining artificial intelligence, emerging quantum technologies, bioscience expertise, and advanced consumer insights under one roof.

Positioned in one of the world’s fastest-growing biosciences innovation clusters, the centre will serve as a strategic hub for Unilever’s U.S. growth ambitions while reshaping how the company develops next-generation consumer products. The facility will focus on enhancing product science, aesthetics, and sensorial experiences through AI-driven research and integrated R&D processes.

A key feature of the new centre is the use of AI and emerging quantum computing capabilities to accelerate advanced materials discovery and product formulation. Unilever said these technologies will help the company improve speed-to-market while enabling breakthrough innovations across beauty and personal care categories.

The company noted that all stages of the innovation cycle, including formulation, fragrance creation, packaging design, and consumer insights, will be integrated within the facility to enable faster collaboration and product development.

The centre will also leverage New Haven’s biosciences ecosystem, which includes leading universities, research organisations, and technology companies. Unilever plans to expand its expertise in areas such as skin biology, microbiome science, neuroscience, and the skin-brain axis to develop products that connect sensory experiences with emotional and wellness outcomes.

Unilever will invest $270 million in the project over the long term, including $50 million in capital expenditure, while total combined public and private investment is expected to exceed $300 million. Approximately 300 employees will work at the facility, which will replace the company’s existing R&D site in Trumbull, Connecticut.

Herrish Patel, President of Unilever USA and CEO of Personal Care North America, said the centre represents the company’s future-focused approach to innovation.

“New Haven gets us to the future faster. Our Global Innovation Centre is where we'll innovate at the intersection of science, technology and culture for the U.S. and for the world,” Patel said.

He added that the centre will operate as part of Unilever’s global network of innovation hubs, enabling the company to share technologies, insights, and breakthrough ideas across regions to accelerate innovation at scale.

The move reflects a growing trend among consumer goods companies to adopt AI, computational science, and digital R&D platforms to speed product discovery, personalise consumer experiences, and strengthen competitiveness in rapidly evolving markets.