A new report, launched today (10 June), details the scale of the economic and social impact of the unique strategic partnership between Unilever and the University of Liverpool, which dates back over 100 years.
Between 2015 and 2024, the partnership resulted in 350 Unilever patents filed and innovations launched in 18 out of 30 of Unilever's Power Brands - including Dove and Persil - with science and technology developed through the collaboration.
Significantly, the partnership has boosted regional and national economic impact. In 2024, around 400 jobs were attributable to the University's participation in the partnership, contributing to the generation of £270M in gross value added over the preceding decade.
85 academic publications have also been co-authored by University of Liverpool and Unilever staff, and the partnership has helped create seven University-led spinouts.
The report was launched at an event in the House of Commons as part of Liverpool City Region's Innovation Investment Fortnight. Hosted by Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, MPs, industry and peers heard firsthand how long-term collaboration between business and universities can help translate UK scientific strength into commercial and economic impact.
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool said, "Our partnership with Unilever shows what's possible when global industry and world-class expertise come together around a shared ambition. By combining our research strengths with industry capability, we can deliver interdisciplinary solutions at pace. It reflects the success of the Liverpool Model - long-term collaboration that drives innovation, supports economic growth, and improves lives around the world."
Richard Slater, Chief Research & Development Officer, Unilever said, "The future of consumer goods will be shaped by the companies that can translate scientific discovery into commercial advantage, fast - and Unilever's partnership with the University of Liverpool gives us exactly that.
"We're combining leading science, AI, and robotics, with deep expertise in beauty and wellbeing, personal and home care, to accelerate innovation and bring better products to millions of people around the world."
Kim Johnson MP said, "The University of Liverpool and Unilever's unique strategic partnership is a powerful example of how collaboration between academia and industry can drive innovation and deliver real-world impact.
"It is encouraging to see the benefits of this partnership already being felt across key sectors, creating opportunities, supporting economic growth and strengthening our region's position as a leader in cutting-edge research and development.
"Ambitious plans for the future underline the importance of collaboration in tackling shared challenges and unlocking new opportunities. I look forward to seeing this partnership continue to deliver lasting benefits for our city, our region and beyond."
Cllr Mike Wharton, LCR CA Cabinet Lead for Economic Growth and Regeneration said: "This report is a powerful endorsement of what long-term, meaningful partnership can achieve. The collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Unilever is one of the strongest examples anywhere in the UK of how world-class research and global industry can work hand-in-hand to drive innovation.
"Crucially, it's helping to attract major investment into the Liverpool City Region and create the kind of high-skilled, high-value jobs that will power our future economy. That's how we build lasting prosperity - by backing innovation that delivers real opportunities for our residents.
"At a time when places are competing on the global stage, partnerships like this give our region a real competitive edge - strengthening our reputation as a leading centre for cutting-edge science and ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industries of tomorrow."
The strategic partnership
Collaboration between the two partners dates back over 100 years and new scientific discoveries and product launches were accelerated from 2018 with the opening of the £81M Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) which has helped accelerate the path from scientific discovery to product innovation. The MIF co-locates Unilever and University scientists in a facility that brings together exceptional scientists, world-class facilities, advanced robotics, automation and digital capability.
The strategic partnership is focused particularly in four key areas: advanced materials - the largest field of joint work, building on the University's world-leading strengths in materials chemistry; microbiome and hygiene; brain and behaviour; and corporate research and archives.
Looking to the future
The next few years will see ambitious plans creating new opportunities for partnership, with a continued focus on the leading edge of artificial intelligence.
The University is leading the development of AIM-HI, the Artificial Intelligence Materials Hub for Innovation - a £100 million, AI-driven materials innovation programme dedicated to accelerating the application of artificial intelligence in materials chemistry, set to open in 2031.
Earlier this month the University of Liverpool was allocated £15M for AIM-HI from UK Research and Innovation's Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF) by Liverpool City Region, with a private sector match of more than £30M, to create a high growth economic cluster in LCR.
Alongside AIM-HI, the National Biofilms Innovation Centre: Liverpool Engine for Antimicrobial Surface Technologies (NBIC-LIVE) programme was supported by a £8.7M LIPF award. NBIC-LIVE will establish the world's first centre of innovation excellence dedicated to AI-enabled rapid innovation of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm surfaces, positioning LCR as a global leader in these technologies.
The full report is available here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/collaborate/our-partners/unilever/
