I.

INTRODUCTION
1. Overview
Unilever originated in the late 19th century and was officially formed in 1930 through the merger of
two companies: Lever Brothers (UK), specializing in soap production, and Margarine Unie
(Netherlands), specializing in margarine. The name "Unilever" is a combination of the names of these
two companies. Today, Unilever has its headquarters in both London (UK) and Rotterdam
(Netherlands), and its shares are listed on the stock exchanges of both countries.

Unilever is one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world, boasting an unparalleled
global presence. Its products are available in over 190 countries and are used by 3.4 billion people
every day (Unilever, 2025). This vast daily reach firmly reinforces the company’s position as a leading
provider of household products worldwide.

Unilever is committed to sustainable development with a goal of driving business growth. The
company topped the list of most sustainable businesses globally in 2022, according to a survey by
GlobeScan, after holding the leading position for 11 consecutive years, and ranked second in their
2023 survey.

Alongside this, Unilever has been working to minimize its environmental impact. Since 2015, the
company has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and supported millions of small businesses through
digital platforms. In 2024, Unilever increased its investment in R&D to innovate products that meet
sustainability standards and market demands.

2. The company's position compared to current multinational companies in the world

market
Unilever is one of the largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) corporations in the world, directly
competing with major players such as Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, L'Oréal, and Colgate-Palmolive. In
2024, Unilever recorded a revenue of €60.8 billion (equivalent to USD 65.75 billion), with 58% coming
from emerging markets—underscoring the company’s strong global presence (Guerrero, 2025).

Unilever’s diverse product portfolio, including both personal care and food products, gives the
company a “broader market reach, especially in emerging economies” compared to P&G. Unilever
was also ranked 139th on the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list and placed second in GlobeScan’s 2023
survey on sustainability leadership.

Unilever reported a solid total revenue of €60.8 billion for the full year 2024, reflecting a 1.9% increase
compared to the previous year. This figure is also cited as USD 65.749 billion, representing a 1.92%
rise from 2023. The slight variation in the reported currency values is due to exchange rate
fluctuations at the time of reporting; to ensure consistency and direct reference to Unilever’s official
financial statements, the figure of €60.8 billion will be primarily used.

A key highlight of 2024 was that all five of Unilever’s Business Groups achieved positive volume
growth. Each product group generated over €8 billion in revenue, with Personal Care leading at €13.6
billion. Beauty & Wellbeing, Foods, and Personal Care each accounted for the largest share—22% of
total company revenue.

In terms of growth, Beauty & Wellbeing recorded the highest underlying sales growth (USG) at 6.5%
and the strongest volume growth at 5.1%, indicating solid increases in both price and quantity.
Although Ice Cream represented the smallest share (14%), it still delivered steady growth.

3. MAIN ACTIVITIES/ PRODUCTS/ SERVICES

Unilever’s vast product portfolio includes over 400 brands, distributed across more than 190
countries, reaching 3.4 billion consumers every day. This extensive reach highlights the
company’s broad influence in the global consumer market.

These brands are strategically organized under five distinct Business Groups, each
operating with a clear vision and global responsibility for its own strategy, growth trajectory,
and profitability.

Business Group Main Product Categories Key Brands

Beauty & Wellbeing ● Premium hair care RESemmé, Sunsilk, Love

Beauty and Planet, Liquid I.V.
● Facial skincare

● Nutritional supplements
and vitamins

● Natural beauty products

Personal Care ● Deodorants Dove, Rexona, Lifebuoy,

Signal, Axe, Pepsodent
● Shampoos and body
washes

● Toothpaste and
toothbrushes

● Personal skincare

Foods ● Cooking seasonings Knorr, Hellmann’s, The

Vegetarian Butcher
● Instant noodles and
convenient foods

● Plant-based meals and

functional foods
 Home Care ● Laundry detergents OMO, Surf, Comfort, Sunlight,
Domestos
● Fabric softeners

● Surface cleaners and

disinfectants

● Home care and freshness

products

Ice Cream ● Ice cream sticks and tubs Magnum, Wall’s, Cornetto, Ben
& Jerry’s
● Premium ice cream

a. Product 1: Sunsilk Shampoo

Sunsilk, Unilever’s largest hair care brand, belongs to the Beauty & Wellbeing group, which
generated €13.2 billion in revenue and accounted for 22% of total revenue in 2024. Sunsilk
experienced strong growth thanks to its brand repositioning and the launch of new products
since 2023.

Palm oil is an essential ingredient in hair care products like Sunsilk due to its foaming,
cleansing, and moisturizing properties. Unilever is committed to sustainable sourcing, with
97% of its palm oil volume being deforestation-free by the end of 2023. The company also
invested €218 million in its facility in Indonesia to enhance transparency and supply chain
control.

b. Product 2: Vim Gel Toilet Cleaner

Vim is a well-known Unilever brand that provides household cleaning products, including
antibacterial gel formulas. Vim antibacterial gel contains chlorine-based bleaching agents,
which play a crucial role in killing germs and deep cleaning.

Surfactants are key components in cleaning products like Vim. They work by breaking the
surface tension between water and dirt, allowing the product to spread easily and clean
effectively. Common types of surfactants include anionic surfactants, which are effective
against grease and oil, and non-ionic surfactants, which are gentler and less harsh.