Unilever Philippines recently inaugurated its new Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care (BWPC) factory in General, Trias Cavite. The new facility will house the company’s production of daily beauty and hygiene needs such as shampoo, hair conditioners, deodorants, and face creams.
Unilever’s total operations in the Philippines is one of the largest amongst its network of operating sites around the world, and the new factory is among its biggest Beauty & well-being and Personal Care factories in Southeast Asia. The company has retained more than 90% of its total manufacturing base in the Philippines and even exports Philippine-made products to multiple countries globally.
“Emerging markets contribute 59% of Unilever’s global turnover and the Philippines remains an important market and a growth driver for the company. Our investment in the new factory is anchored on our purpose to meet the needs of our consumers and our customers, and a direct response to the government’s call for inclusive growth through countryside opportunities with Unilever and its value chain partners,” shared Benjie Yap, Unilever Philippines Chairman & CEO.
The factory is also Unilever’s thrust on sustainable manufacturing operations. With increased manufacturing efficiencies and its optimal location in Cavite, the company is able to significantly reduce its carbon footprint with less waste and less fuel usage.
With recent changes in packaging, the company documented 25% less plastic use for deodorant products, in line with the company’s global commitment towards a waste-free world.
The future-fit BWPC factory features highly specialized and advanced technologies, like automated mixers, high-speed Shubham lines, and bottle and capping machines, all operated by Programmable Logic Control.
Over the next few years, the site will house more automated machines operated by a highly trained workforce. The future technologies to be commissioned on the site will classify the facility as a candidate for the World Economic Forum’s ‘Advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution Lighthouse.’
The site has an upgraded in-factory wastewater treatment facility to manage water use. The BWPC factory will soon use geothermal and solar power in its perimeter and by the end of September, all of Unilever’s factories, offices, and distribution centers will be on 100% renewable grid electricity.
In the same event, Unilever received its Certificate of Registration from the Board of Investments owing to its investment in the Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care factory, its state-of-the-art technologies, export commitments, and local employment.
Unilever believes that when products meet social needs and help people live sustainably, brands become more relevant to consumers. Unilever envisions to grow its business for the good of the people and the planet through products, programs, and partnerships.