Marcos inaugurates new Unilever factory with reduced carbon footprint

MANILA, Philippines — Unilever Philippines recently inaugurated its new Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care (BWPC) factory located in General Trias, Cavite, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as guest of honor and other high-ranking national and local government officials in attendance.

The new facility will be the company’s new hub for the production of daily beauty and hygiene essentials, such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and facial care products.

Total operations in the Philippines of Unilever, the multinational company, is one of the largest amongst its network of operating sites around the world, and the new factory is among its biggest Beauty & Wellbeing 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 other countries where it distributes its products.

“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,” said Benjie Yap, Unilever Philippines chairman and 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.

The factory is Unilever's thrust on sustainable manufacturing operations

Effecting changes in packaging, the company has documented 25% less plastic use for its 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, such as automated mixers, high-speed Shubham lines, and bottle and capping machines, all operated by Programmable Logic Control.

In 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.’

More than just being high-tech, the new place 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, before the year ends, all of Unilever’s factories, offices, and distribution centers will be on 100% renewable grid electricity.

Apart from being visited by dignitaries, the inauguration also served as a venue for Unilever to receive 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.