Page 175 - CW E-Magazine (3-12-2024)

News from Abroad

SPECIALISED EXPERTISE
Unilever to pump in €100-mn to develop fragrance

expertise in-house

Global FMCG major, Unilever, is in-
vesting €100-mn to scale up its fragrance
design and creation capabilities across
our global portfolio. The company said
the move to set up its new digital-first
fragrance creation house supports its
strategy to accelerate growth and increase
productivity by gaining greater control of
the design and refinement of fragrances, fragrances that fit perfectly with our pro- We use neuroscience techniques to under-
a key component of many of its product ducts,” the company informed. As part of stand how fragrances can impact mood
formulations. this strategy, Unilever plans to combine and measurably improve emotional well-
its own scientific expertise in areas such being, for example confidence, ensuring
“Blending science and art, the per- as neuroscience, AI and digital product our products not only meet but also exceed
fumers behind these signature scents skil- development with existing strategic part- consumer expectations,” he added.
fully combine aromatic ingredients from nerships.
a palette of as many as 1,000 possible raw Unilever expects its in-house capabi-
ingredients to create a unique fragrance “This initiative will enable us to lity to give it the agility to identify and re-
formula. Historically, we have partnered create and develop our own fragrances, spond to fragrance trends, moving swiftly
with fragrance houses around the world as well as continue to work closely with through product creation, formulation, de-
to create scents. Such partnerships remain our important existing partners in the in- sign, manufacturing and launching to mar-
important to us as we move to grow our dustry,” stressed Mr. Richard Slater, Chief ket. Unilever has already started to hire
capabilities in-house which will see Uni- R&D Officer at Unilever. “Our new fra- expert perfumers across the UK, US and
lever transition to a hybrid model, where grance house, powered by the latest digital India to grow its global team to focus on
our digitally enabled teams are involved and AI technologies, will operate at the fragrance creation, fragrance evaluation,
in every step of innovation, formulating intersection of science and innovation. measurement, testing and data analytics.

EXPANSION
Kemira setting up re-activation plant for activated

carbon in Sweden

Finland’s speciality chemicals firm, currently ongoing. The new plant is expected to become increasingly important for wa-
Kemira, is plans to expand its Helsingborg to be operational in the second half of 2027 ter and wastewater treatment plants due
manufacturing site in Sweden and to in- subject to the final investment decision and to the tightening regulation – for example,
vest “low double-digit millions of euros” environmental permits. Kemira also recently concerning PFAS removal. “Regulation
in building a reactivation plant for acquired Norit’s UK’s reactivation busi- drives the demand for efficient PFAS and
activated carbon. ness, Purton Carbons Ltd. Activated carbon other micropollutants removal from drink-
is the most common technology to remove ing water and wastewater. Kemira supports
The new plant would add significant odour and taste in drinking water, as well as its customers with new water treatment
new capacity to reactivate activated carbon micropollutants including the harmful per- solutions including reactivation services.
for the Nordic drinking water and waste- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Building this new capacity would strengthen
water market. The expansion project plans water treatment applications. Reactivation our water treatment offering, allowing us
are a part of Kemira’s long-term strategy regenerates spent granular or pelletised to capitalise on the increasing demand in
to double its water treatment business. The activated carbons, making them ready for Europe,” said Ms. Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen,
pre-engineering phase of the project is reuse. Micropollutant removal is expected President, Industry & Water at Kemira.

Chemical Weekly December 3, 2024 175

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