Less palm, more skin benefits: Hindustan Unilever's new soap technology brings ‘dramatic’ superiority to Lux, Lifebuoy

Unilever’s Indian subsidiary debuted the technology with Lux and Lifebuoy, the company’s two largest brands.

“Both of these brands now have gone live with this change. This technology, which has taken us more than five years to get it curated, get it perfected has been tested extensively not only with lab tests, clinical tests, but also with thousands of consumers and the decision is completely unanimous that it's a far better-quality product,” said Ritesh Tiwari, chief finance officer and executive director, Finance and IT, HUL.

This technology debuted in India as it is the largest market for soap bars for Unilever.

“I'm pleased to share our pioneering work in this field. A revolutionary technology that will bolster our product superiority while at the same enable us to transition to more responsible sourcing and reduced carbon footprint,” said Tiwari during the firm’s latest earnings conference on July 23.

Tiwari said that as market leaders in skin cleansing, the company aims to be a “front-runner for unmissable brand superiority and exceptional consumer experiences” and that the new technology has managed to deliver on this.

“The benefit of skin cleansing, the benefit of skin barrier, the benefit of fragrance delivery, the benefit of sensitivity are very many. So, we do believe that this is a dramatic step up on overall product superiority that we have in this space.”

According to the firm, the efficacy and benefits of the new soap formulation has been tested with thousands of Indian consumers, in addition to independent clinical studies.

“The results are unanimous. Our products have tested superior across the country and our results have been published and presented in the top international journals and conferences,” said Tiwari.

Five years in the making

Traditional soap bars contain total fatty matter (TFM) to give the bar its structure, lathering and cleansing capabilities.

“Typically, only about 20% to 25% of the TFM in a soap bar is soluble and required for bar lathering and cleansing properties. The remaining 75% to 80% exists as insoluble soap that is there simply to give the bar its structure and during use gets washed down the drain adding to environmental load. This is therefore completely wasteful oil that adds no consumer value,” Tiwari explained.

The Stratos technology replaces palm oil ingredients like polysaccharides, vitamin blends and skin actives, allowing the firm to reduce its use of palm oil by 25%.

“Stratos is a first of its kind ground­ breaking technology developed and patented by our R&D team. This technology that took us about five years to develop with 20-plus patents filed. It makes it possible to reformulate soap with a proprietary mix including plant-derived polysaccharides, vitamin blends and skin care actives. This not only improves the product, but also reduces the non-functional TFM from the soap by using smart structuring technologies and include more skin health actives that can provide new and better benefit to the consumers,” Tiwari explained.

He added: “That is what makes the formulation richer, and which is why we called out that it's a formulation which is more superior, both in blind consumer test and also in clinical tests.”

Business and environmental benefits

Tiwari added that this new technology will make the company better able to withstand the fluctuations in the palm market.

“This is not only great in terms of products, but also good in terms of business model with reduction in palm usage overall and we end up using more polysaccharide, vitamin blends and skin actives, the formulation overall becomes more resilient to overall volatility in palm market. We also ended up localising a group of materials with this change. So overall it's better for the product formulation in the financial business model.”

The firm was also able to ensure its sourcing of palm oil to sure the practices were deforestation- and peat-free

“We're very happy to report that as on date all the palm oil we're sourcing is 100% no deforestation, no peat certified sustainable palm oil. With this significant move, we are delivering superior and sustainable products which is in line with the HUL's philosophy of doing well by doing good,” said Tiwari,

He concluded: “We are very encouraged that this has gone live at scale, and this should help us to further drive our business model very strong and hard.”