Acquisitions & disposals
Summaries of acquisitions and disposals. Please refer to our press releases section for the full announcement made.
2020
SmartyPants Vitamins
23 December - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 25 November, it has completed the acquisition of SmartyPants Vitamins, a U.S.‐based Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements company.
Liquid I.V.
1 October - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 1 September, it has completed the acquisition of Liquid I.V., a U.S-based health-science nutrition and wellness company.
Read the press release about Liquid I.V. here
Ice cream products in Chile
15 July - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 12 June, it has completed the sale of its ice cream business in Chile to Carozzi.
Read the press release about the sale to Carozzi here.
Horlicks
1 April - Unilever announced that Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods company and Unilever’s listed subsidiary in India, successfully completed the merger of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Limited with HUL. Unilever also completed the related acquisition of Horlicks brands rights and other Consumer Healthcare nutrition assets from GSK in other predominantly Asian markets.
1 July - Unilever announced the completion of the acquisition of 82% of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited. The company’s iconic portfolio of Health Food & Drinks brands includes Horlicks and Boost.
Find the initial Horlicks press release and read about the completion
2019
Central America direct application business
19 November - Unilever announced that it has received an offer from Industria La Popular to acquire its direct application soap bars business in Central America, to include a licence to use the brands Xtra, Surf, Unox and Rinso.
Lenor Japan
1 October - Unilever announced that it has acquired Lenor Japan, a skin care business with presence in Japan and China
Read the press release about Lenor Japan here
Astrix
30 August - Unilever announced it has acquired Astrix S.A, a Bolivian manufacturer of home and personal care brands.
Read the press release about Astrix here
Fluocaril and Parogencyl
12 April - Unilever announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Fluocaril and Parogencyl oral care brands from P&G (The Procter & Gamble Company).
Graze
5 February - Unilever today announced it has acquired the holding company of graze, the UK’s leading healthy snacking brand.
Read the press release about Graze here
The Laundress
28 January - Unilever announced it has acquired The Laundress, a global premium eco-friendly line of detergent, fabric care, and home cleaning products based in New York, US.
Read the press release about The Laundress here
Alsa
2 October - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 9th February 2018, it has completed the sale of Alsa, its baking and dessert business.
Tatcha
26 July - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on the 10th June 2019, it has completed the acquisition of Tatcha, the Japanese inspired skincare brand.
Read the press release about the Tatcha acquisition
OLLY Nutrition
21 May - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 18 April 2019, it has completed the acquisition of OLLY Nutrition, a US-based premium wellbeing business in the vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) category.
Read the press release about the OLLY Nutrition acquisition
Garancia
5 April - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 27 March 2019, it has completed the acquisition of Garancia, the French derma-cosmetic brand.
Read the press release about the Garancia acquisition
2018
The Vegetarian Butcher
19 December - Unilever is acquiring The Vegetarian Butcher. The acquisition fits with Unilever’s strategy to expand its portfolio into plant-based foods that are healthier and have a lower environmental impact. With this acquisition, Unilever is responding to the growing trend among consumers to increasingly opt for vegetarian and vegan meals.
Read the press release about the Vegetarian Butcher here
Betty Ice
31 January - Unilever announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Betty Ice SRL, the Romanian ice-cream producer. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.
Read the press release about Betty Ice hereEquilibra
1 October - Unilever announced that, further to the announcement made on 25 June 2018, it has completed the acquisition of a 75% stake in Equilibra, the Italian personal care and wellbeing brand.
Read the press release about the Equilibra acquisition
Unilever's Spreads business
2 July - Unilever announced the completion of the sale of the Spreads business to KKR, and also the completion of the sale of the Spreads business in Southern Africa to Remgro and the related acquisition of Remgro’s interest in Unilever South Africa.
More on the sale of the Spreads business to KKR
Further information on the deal with Remgo
Quala
1 March - Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 15th May 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Quala's beauty & personal care and home care brands.
Read the press release about the Quala acquisition
Schmidt's Naturals
2 January – Unilever announced today that, further to the announcement made on 14th December 2017, it has completed the acquisition of Schmidt’s Naturals.
Read the press release about the Schmidt’s Naturals acquisition