When was Unilever founded and how did it form?
Unilever was founded in 1930 through the merger of Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie and British soapmaker Lever Brothers. The name Unilever is a blend of both companies' names.
Questions about Unilever
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What are Unilever's biggest brands?
Unilever's largest brands include Dove, Axe/Lynx, Lifebuoy, Lux, Persil/Omo, Rexona/Sure, Sunlight, and Sunsilk. Thirteen brands in total account for over half of the company's sales.
What is the Ben & Jerry's controversy with Unilever about?
In July 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced plans to end sales in Occupied Palestinian Territory, a decision that clashed with Unilever's interests and triggered divestment actions by several US states. Unilever resolved the dispute in June 2022 by selling the Ben & Jerry's Israel division to American Quality Products, the existing licensee. Ben & Jerry's started legal action against Unilever in 2024, and the brand was ultimately divested as part of Unilever's ice cream spin-off in late 2025.
What happened at Unilever's mercury factory in Kodaikanal, India?
A mercury thermometer factory operated by Unilever's Indian subsidiary in Kodaikanal was shut down in 2001 after the company was caught dumping toxic mercury waste in a densely populated area. By the company's own admission, more than 2 tonnes of mercury were discharged into Kodaikanal's environment. In March 2016, Unilever reached an out-of-court settlement with 591 former workers who sued over workplace mercury exposure.
How much was Unilever fined for price-fixing in Europe?
The European Commission fined Unilever €104 million in April 2011 for participating in a price-fixing cartel for washing powder in Europe, alongside Procter & Gamble and Henkel.
What major businesses has Unilever sold or spun off in recent years?
Unilever sold its margarine and spreads division to KKR for €6.8 billion in 2017, completing the deal in 2018 to form Upfield. In 2021, it agreed to sell most of its tea business to CVC Capital Partners for €4.5 billion. Its ice cream unit, including Magnum and Ben & Jerry's, was spun off as The Magnum Ice Cream Company in November 2025. In March 2026, Unilever agreed to combine its remaining food business with McCormick & Company in a deal valuing the combined entity at more than $65 billion.