Acquisitions and disposal
2024
Pureit
1 November – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 15 July 2024, it has completed the sale of its water purification business, Pureit, to A. O. Smith, a leading global water technology company. Pureit offers a range of water purification solutions across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Mexico, among others.
Read the press release about Pureit here
Qinyuan Group
2 August – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 25 July 2024, it has completed the sale of its stake in Qinyuan Group (also known as “Truliva”) to Yong Chao Venture Capital Co., Ltd.
Read the press release about Qinyuan Group here
Elida Beauty
1 June – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 18 December 2023, it has completed the sale of Elida Beauty to Yellow Wood Partners LLC.
Read the press release about Elida Beauty here
K18
1 February – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 22 December, it has completed the acquisition of K18, a premium biotech haircare brand.
Read the press release about K18 here
2023
Dollar Shave Club
2 November – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 26 October, it has completed the sale of Dollar Shave Club to Nexus Capital Management LP for an undisclosed amount. Unilever will retain a minority shareholding of 35%.
Read more on the sale of Dollar Shave Club.
Yasso
1 August – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 14 June, it has completed the acquisition of Yasso, a premium frozen Greek yogurt brand in the United States.
Read the press release about Yasso Holdings.
Suave North America
1 May - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 14 February, it has completed the sale of its Suave brand in North America to Yellow Wood Partners LLC.
2022
Nutrafol
7 July - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 30 May, it has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Nutrafol, a leading provider of hair wellness products.
Read the press release about the acquisition of Nutrafol here.
ekaterra
1 July - Unilever today announced that it has completed the sale of its Tea business, ekaterra to the CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII.
Read the press release about the sale of the tea business here.
Unilever Life
Unilever announced today that, further to the recent announcement, it has today completed the sale of its direct selling business in Thailand – Unilever Life, to RS Group.
Read the press release about the sale to RS Group here.
Beauty and Personal Care brands in Spain
Unilever has today agreed and completed the sale of its S3, Royale Ambrée and Petit Cheri Beauty and Personal Care brands in Spain to Sensogreen Healthcare. The sale also includes the licence for Legrain.
Unilever in Spain will continue to focus on the categories and brands in which it can develop a sustainable and competitive business.
2021
Paula’s Choice
2 August - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 14 June, it has completed the acquisition of leading digital-led skin care brand Paula’s Choice, a pioneer of science-backed products and direct to consumer e-commerce.
Read the press release about Paula's Choice here.
Onnit
28 May - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 26 April, it has completed the acquisition of Onnit, a holistic wellness and lifestyle company.
Read the press release about Onnit here.
2020
SmartyPants Vitamins
23 December - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 25 November, it has completed the acquisition of SmartyPants Vitamins, a U.S.‐based Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements company.
Read the press release about SmartyPants Vitamins here.
Liquid I.V.
1 October - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 1 September, it has completed the acquisition of Liquid I.V., a U.S-based health-science nutrition and wellness company.
Read the press release about Liquid I.V. here
Ice Cream products in Chile
15 July - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 12 June, it has completed the sale of its ice cream business in Chile to Carozzi.
Read the press release about the sale to Carozzi.
Horlicks
1 April - Unilever announced that Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods company and Unilever’s listed subsidiary in India, successfully completed the merger of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Limited with HUL. Unilever also completed the related acquisition of Horlicks brands rights and other Consumer Healthcare nutrition assets from GSK in other predominantly Asian markets.
1 July - Unilever announced the completion of the acquisition of 82% of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited. The company’s iconic portfolio of Health Food & Drinks brands includes Horlicks and Boost.
Find the initial Horlicks press release and read about the completion
2019
Central America direct application business
19 November - Unilever announced that it has received an offer from Industria La Popular to acquire its direct application soap bars business in Central America, to include a licence to use the brands Xtra, Surf, Unox and Rinso.
Read the press release about the disposal
Lenor Japan
1 October - Unilever announced that it has acquired Lenor Japan, a skin care business with presence in Japan and China
Read the press release about Lenor Japan here
Astrix
30 August - Unilever announced it has acquired Astrix S.A, a Bolivian manufacturer of home and personal care brands.
Read the press release about Astrix here
Fluocaril and Parogencyl
12 April - Unilever announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Fluocaril and Parogencyl oral care brands from P&G (The Procter & Gamble Company).
Read the press release about the brands here
Graze
5 February - Unilever today announced it has acquired the holding company of graze, the UK’s leading healthy snacking brand.
Read the press release about Graze here
The Laundress
28 January - Unilever announced it has acquired The Laundress, a global premium eco-friendly line of detergent, fabric care, and home cleaning products based in New York, US.
Read the press release about The Laundress here
Alsa
2 October - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 9th February 2018, it has completed the sale of Alsa, its baking and dessert business.
Tatcha
26 July - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on the 10th June 2019, it has completed the acquisition of Tatcha, the Japanese inspired skincare brand.
Read the press release about the Tatcha acquisition
OLLY Nutrition
21 May - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 18 April 2019, it has completed the acquisition of OLLY Nutrition, a US-based premium wellbeing business in the vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) category.
Read the press release about the OLLY Nutrition acquisition
Garancia
5 April - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 27 March 2019, it has completed the acquisition of Garancia, the French derma-cosmetic brand.
Read the press release about the Garancia acquisition
2018
The Vegetarian Butcher
19 December - Unilever is acquiring The Vegetarian Butcher. The acquisition fits with Unilever’s strategy to expand its portfolio into plant-based foods that are healthier and have a lower environmental impact. With this acquisition, Unilever is responding to the growing trend among consumers to increasingly opt for vegetarian and vegan meals.
Read the press release about the Vegetarian Butcher here
Betty Ice
31 January - Unilever announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Betty Ice SRL, the Romanian ice-cream producer. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.
Equilibra
1 October - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 25 June 2018, it has completed the acquisition of a 75% stake in Equilibra, the Italian personal care and wellbeing brand.
Unilever's Spreads business
2 July - Unilever announced the completion of the sale of the Spreads business to KKR, and also the completion of the sale of the Spreads business in Southern Africa to Remgro and the related acquisition of Remgro’s interest in Unilever South Africa.
Quala
1 March - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 15th May 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Quala's beauty and personal care and home care brands.
Schmidt's Naturals
2 January – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 14th December 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Schmidt’s Naturals.
2017
Sundial
18 December - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 27th November 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Sundial Brands.
TAZO
11 December – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 2nd November 2017, it has completed the acquisition of TAZO.
Mãe Terra
1 December 2017 – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 2nd October 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Mãe Terra.
Carver Korea
1 November 2017 – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 25th September 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Carver Korea.
Pukka Herbs
7 September 2017 – Unilever announced today that it has acquired the organic herbal tea business, Pukka Herbs Ltd. Pukka’s health and wellness philosophy centres around benefitting people, plants and planet.
Hourglass
1 August 2017 – Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 19 June 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Hourglass.
AdeS
28 March 2017 – Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 1st June 2016, it has completed the sale of AdeS.
Living Proof
1 February 2017 – Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 16 December 2016, it has completed the acquisition of Living Proof Inc, the innovative premium hair care business renowned for solving hair problems through the use of breakthrough science. Living Proof will be part of Unilever’s Prestige portfolio, which includes brands such as Dermalogica, Kate Somerville, Murad and REN.
2016
Seventh Generation, Inc
20th October 2016 - Unilever completed the acquisition of Seventh Generation, Inc., a North American home and beauty and personal care products company based in Vermont. Seventh Generation has a comprehensive product portfolio and a distribution network covering the ‘natural’ category in grocery, mass merchandise and e-commerce channels, including plant-based detergents and household cleaners.
Dollar Shave Club acquisition
10 August 2016 - Unilever announced that it has completed the acquisition of Dollar Shave Club® following an agreement signed in July. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Venice, California, Dollar Shave Club (DSC) has grown into a full male grooming business that has transformed the shaving category with its lifestyle brand empowering 3.2 million members. In 2015, DSC had turnover of US$152 million and is on track to exceed US$200 million in turnover in 2016. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
2015
GROM
1 October 2015 - Unilever acquired the premium Italian gelato business, GROM. The first GROM shop was opened in Turin in 2003 by friends Federico Grom and Guido Martinetti, with the vision of making the best gelato in the world, using only top quality ingredients. Today, GROM has over 60 gelato shops in Italy and around the world.
Murad
1 September 2015 - Unilever acquired Murad, a leading clinical skincare brand. Murad has a significant presence in the US through professional salons and spas as well as through direct sales. It also has a regional hub for Europe located in the UK, and the brand can be found in over 42 countries, in department stores, pharmacies, spas and salons.
Dermalogica
3 August 2015 - Unilever completed the acquisition of Dermalogica. Dermalogica was launched in 1986 in Los Angeles by Jane and Raymond Wurwand and is the leading skincare brand in professional salons and spas worldwide.
Kate Somerville
6 August 2015 - Unilever acquired leading independent prestige skincare brand, Kate Somerville Skincare LLC. Founded by Los Angeles-based Kate Somerville, the brand is one of the most trusted names in the premium US skincare market.
REN
1 May 2015: Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on March 2nd, it has completed the acquisition of REN Skincare.
Camay & Zest brands
1 May 2015: Unilever announced it completed the acquisition of the Zest and Camay brands from the Procter & Gamble Company. The deal was announced on 22 December 2014.
2014
Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto
2 December 2014: Unilever today announced that it has acquired Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto. Minneapolis-based Talenti, which was founded in 2003, has grown into the best selling packaged gelato in the United States.
Slim-Fast
10 July 2014: Unilever today announced that it has sold its Slim-Fast brand to Kainos Capital. Unilever will retain a minority stake in the business.
Ragu & Bertolli
30 June 2014: We completed the sale of our North America pasta sauces business under the Ragu and Bertolli brands to Mizkan Group.
Bifi & Peperami
1 April 2014: We sold our meat snacks business to Jack Link's. The sale included the brands Bifi, sold in Germany, Benelux, Austria and Switzerland; and Peperami, which retails in the UK and Ireland; and the manufacturing unit in Ansbach, Germany.
Qinyuan Group - acquisition
9 March 2014: We acquired a majority stake in the Qinyuan Group, a leading Chinese water purification business for an undisclosed amount. Qinyuan generated sales approaching €140 million (c. 1.2 billion RMB) for the 12-month period ending 31 December 2013.
Royal pasta brand
16 January 2014: We sold our Royal pasta brand in the Philippines to RFM Corporation, one of the biggest diversified food and beverage companies in the Philippines for US$47.8 million.
2013
Ethnic Hair business
19 November 2013: We sold our Soft & Beautiful, TCB and Pro-Line Comb-Thru brands to Strength of Nature for an undisclosed amount. The sale excluded TCB’s business in Africa.
Ioma
5 November 2013: We became a shareholder in the French brand Ioma, a truly personalised measurable skin care solution enabled by leading edge technology; and Illuminage, the first FDA-approved in-home laser for wrinkle reduction.
T2
6 September 2013: We acquired T2, a premium Australian tea business for an undisclosed amount. T2 generated sales approaching AUS$57 million for the 12-month period ending June 30 2013. The T2 business operates 40 stores and its range of fragrant teas and tea wares from around the world are also sold through some of the best restaurants in the country.
Wish-Bone dressings
1 October 2013: We sold our Wish-Bone and Western dressings brands in the USA to Pinnacle Foods Inc. for a total cash consideration of approximately $580 million.
Unipro
2 September 2013: We sold our Turkish Unipro bakery and industrial oils business to AAK, one of the world’s leading producers of high value-added speciality vegetable fats.
SAVO
1 July 2013: We acquired SAVO, Biolit, Diffusil and other consumer brands from the Czech Bochemie company by acquisition of 100% of shares of Bochemie’s subsidiary Home Brands.The acquired brands are manufactured under contact by Bochemie at their Bohumín facility.
Mrs Balls Chutney
1 April 2013: In South Africa we sold our Mrs Ball’s Chutney brand to Tiger Brands Limited.
Skippy
31 January 2013: We completed the sale of its global Skippy business to Hormel Foods, excluding the portion operated out of China. The two companies announced the global deal for approximately $700 million, including the Skippy trademarks and two manufacturing facilities (in U.S. and China).
2012
Bertolli & P.F. Chang’s
20 August 2012: We sold our North America frozen meals business, conducted under the Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s brand names, to ConAgra Foods, Inc., for total cash consideration of US$267 million.
2011
Kalina
6 December 2011: We acquired 82% of Concern Kalina, Russia’s leading beauty company, transforming Unilever’s beauty and personal care business in Russia and providing leading positions in skin care and hair care, as well as establishing a presence in oral care.
Ingman Ice Cream Group
20 December 2011: We completed the acquisition of Ingman Ice Cream Group, which has a brand portfolio that includes some well known brands such as Kingis, Jättis and Ingman. The Group has production units in Sibbo in Finland, Åhus in Sweden, Mazeikiai in Lithuania and Gomel in Belarus.
Alberto Culver
10 May 2011: We acquired the Alberto Culver Company.
2010
Sara Lee
6 December 2010: We completed the acquisition of the Sara Lee Personal Care and European Laundry business for €1.2 billion. Some of the leading brands included in the transaction are Radox and Duschdas in skin cleansing, Zwitsal and Fissan in baby care, and Prodent and Zendium in oral care.
EVGA
28 September 2010: Unilever and EVGA announced that we would acquire EVGA’s ice cream brands and distribution network, enriching our ice cream portfolio in Greece. Brands include Scandal, Variete and Karabola.
Consumer tomato products in Brazil
24 September 2010: We announced an agreement to sell Unilever’s consumer tomato products business in Brazil to foods company Cargill for approximately €260 million. The sale includes the Pomarola, Tarantella, Elefante, Extratomato and Pomodoro brands, and a manufacturing facility.
Ampere Life Sciences
16 September 2010: We announced we had entered into a partnership with Silicon Valley-based Ampere Life Sciences. Under the partnership, we will have access to Ampere’s Digital Biology technology platform and secure exclusive rights for the development of innovative consumer products.
Diplom-Is
19 August 2010: We signed an asset purchase agreement with Norwegian dairy group TINE, to acquire the activities of Diplom-Is ice cream operations in Denmark from 30 September 2010. The transaction included five distribution centres across the Denmark.
Italian Frozen Foods
19 July 2010: We announced the signing of a binding agreement for the sale of our Italian Frozen Foods business, Findus, for €805 million. The sale includes a factory in Cisterna, Italy.
Unilever sells Italian frozen foods business to Birds Eye Iglo.
Shedd’s Country Crock
18 January 2010: We signed a definitive agreement to sell our Shedd’s Country Crock-branded chilled side-dish business in the US to Hormel Foods Corporation. Ownership of the Shedd’s Country Crock trademark and its flagship spreads product range remained with Unilever.