Hindustan Unilever is the Indian subsidiary of Unilever and the country's largest consumer goods company, with brands across home care, personal care, foods and beverages. It is listed on the NSE and BSE, and Unilever holds 61.9 percent.
Ownership and structure
Unilever controls its India business through Hindustan Unilever Limited, a listed subsidiary in which it holds 61.90 percent. The ice cream business was demerged into Kwality Wall's (India) Limited with effect from December 1, 2025. Hindustan Unilever Limited is listed on the NSE and BSE under the symbol HINDUNILVR.
What India does for Hindustan Unilever
India is one of Unilever's largest consumer markets, served by a listed subsidiary that manufactures locally and runs research centres in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Investment and deals
Hindustan Unilever acquired GlaxoSmithKline's India consumer healthcare business in an all equity deal valued at about US$3.8 billion, completed in April 2020.
Hindustan Unilever's India business
The company traces its roots to 1931, when it was set up in India as Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company. It was renamed Hindustan Unilever Limited in June 2007.
It completed its merger with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare India in April 2020. The company had 5,898 permanent employees on its rolls as of March 31, 2026, down from 6,604 a year earlier.
Key moves in India
- 1931: Unilever's Indian business began as Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company.
- 1956: The group's Indian companies merged to form Hindustan Lever Limited.
- 1966: The Hindustan Unilever Research Centre was set up in Mumbai.
- 2007: The company was renamed Hindustan Unilever Limited in June.
- 2020: The merger with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare India was completed in April.
- 2025: The ice cream business was demerged into Kwality Wall's (India) Limited with effect from December 1.
Where it operates
Hindustan Unilever runs its India business from Mumbai. It also has a presence in Bengaluru.
At a glance
- Home country: United Kingdom
- Global headquarters: London
- Sector: Manufacturing & Supply Chains
- Business: Consumer goods
- Role of India: Sales market, Manufacturing base, R&D and engineering hub
- India entity: Hindustan Unilever Limited
- Listed in India: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HINDUNILVR)
- India head office: Mumbai
- India offices: Mumbai, Bengaluru
- India headcount: 26,667+ (2025)
- In India since: 1931
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