R&D NEWS..HUL, ITC step up R&D programmes in India

HUL, ITC step up R&D programmes in India

At a time when innovative and differentiated products are contributing big to the portfolios of FMCG companies, two leaders in this space, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and ITC Personal Care — part of ITC— are stepping up their R&D programmes in India.

While Lakme, part of HUL, recently inaugurated a bigger facility in Bangalore, ITC has set up Laboratoire Naturel, a consumer interaction centre (in Bangalore) to understand skincare and hair care needs of Indian consumers. ITC’s new lab plans to co-create with consumers differentiated products for its Fiama Di Wills and other personal care brands.With increasing competition, the R14,000-crore branded personal care sector is currently growing at 20% annually.

On Lakme’s strategy, Purnima Lamba, head of Lakme Innovations, said, “We have always had a research team based out of our Bangalore labs. Our new R&D centre in Bangalore will be the genesis for the skincare innovation programme for Unilever, including Lakme.” At present, Lakme’s colour cosmetics R&D is based in Mumbai.

Last month, Unilever CEO Paul Polman inaugurated the company’s Global Enterprise Support and Information Technology Innovation Centre in Bangalore. Incidentally, this will be the largest operating centre for Unilever and will support HUL as well as the global Unilever business.

Meanwhile, ITC Personal Care is focusing on addressing consumer benefit segments to launch new products and variants in soaps, shampoos and skin care categories, informed Sandeep Kaul, chief executive, personal care business, ITC.

“Our consumer interaction centre Laboratoire Naturel is adding value to the business by fostering innovation through extensive consumer engagement that enables consumer inputs and psychometric, sensory and instrumental evaluation,” explained Kaul.

ITC’s new lab provides a direct connect between scientists, brand team and Indian consumers to innovate products with differentiated benefits.

According to Kaul, ITC’s personal care products business, with the launch of innovative products, has made significant strides during Q2 FY 12-13, further gaining consumer franchise. “As part of our innovation, we have joined hands with Wendell Rodricks, a leading fashion designer to create a new series of Fiama Di Wills Gel Bars. This initiative will highlight the intrinsic bond between fashion and beauty,” explained Kaul.

Like ITC, HUL is also engaged in many co-creation activities with consumers from product development to market execution strategy.

Lalitha Srinivasan: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/hul-itc-step-up-r-amp-d-programmes-in-india/1045664/  121215