Unilever Port Sunlight Factory Upgrade & Advanced Manufacturing Centre
Port Sunlight, Wirral, UK · 2018-2026 (ongoing investments) · £150m (completed investment in 2026), £80m (proposed fragrance facility), £24m (North West Advanced Manufacturing Centre in 2018)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchUnilever's substantial and ongoing investments in Port Sunlight demonstrate a commitment to strengthening its UK supply chain and leveraging advanced manufacturing for efficiency and innovation. - The threefold increase in laundry capsule production highlights the benefits of automation and modernization in meeting consumer demand. - The development of a new fragrance R&D center alongside manufacturing facilities emphasizes the importance of co-locating research and production for faster innovation cycles.
Key engineering challenges
Integrating high-tech manufacturing upgrades and automation into existing production lines. - Designing and implementing advanced automated distribution systems for increased efficiency. - Scaling up production capacity significantly while maintaining product quality and safety standards. - Developing a new state-of-the-art fragrance research and development center.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Unilever
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- upgrade | new build | expansion
- Scale
- Increased laundry capsule production threefold (from 660 to ~2,000 per minute); 65,000 sq ft Advanced Manufacturing Centre; new advanced automated distribution centre.
- Disciplines
- chemical engineering; process engineering; mechanical; electrical; automation; logistics
- Standards & frameworks
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), relevant industry standards
Sources: Unilever UK (May 2026, https://www.unilever.co.uk/news/press-releases/2026/unilever-completes-150-million-investment-in-port-sunlight/) - BBC News (May 2026, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6260gl089qo) - LinkedIn (Unilever, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/unilever_weve-completed-a-150-million-investment-activity-7467560702602403840-8Qds) - Place North West (Sep 2020, https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/unilever-port-sunlight-site-up-for-sale/) - Liverpool Echo (May 2025, https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/unilever-invest-80m-state-art-31675818)