Unilever

Unilever is focused on world leading brands in categories which share common sales channels, innovation processes, manufacturing systems and distribution networks. More than three billion consumers use Unilever products daily.  

Over half of group sales come from emerging markets, where long-term growth trends remain favourable. Its international, multi-category scale supports distribution, supply chain and marketing, while the streamlined structure should improve focus.

Despite operating in a competitive environment, the company enjoys good pricing due to the strength of its brands and it generates very good cash flows to support attractive shareholder returns.

Unilever’s broad product range depends on a complex, global supply chain. Some of the raw materials it uses, like palm oil, are sourced from regions where labour standards are weak.

Such procurement practices not only raise social concerns but also pose environmental risks, including deforestation and adverse effects on biodiversity and climate change. To mitigate this, the company has taken a leading role in several initiatives to improve environmental management through its supply chain. 

Unilever relies heavily on plastic for its product packaging, contributing to the growing global concern around plastic waste. This waste can break down into microplastics, which pose long-term risks to environmental ecosystems and human health.

While Unilever has been transparent in the challenges it faces to reduce its reliance on plastic, it remains an important issue.