Unilever has partnered with Accenture to scale the use of AI-enabled digital twins across its global manufacturing network. The initiative aims to help factories improve quality, boost efficiency and respond to consumer demand.
Adam Raeburn-James, global VP for Digital Business Operations, Unilever, said: “Through our partnership with Accenture to accelerate digital twins, we are turning innovation into measurable impact to create desirable brands for our 3.7 billion consumers worldwide.”
Scaling digital twins
Digital twins with AI-enabled insights and agentic capabilities equip Unilever’s manufacturing teams with advanced tools to identify issues earlier, simulate scenarios more quickly, and make smarter decisions throughout the production cycle.
“Having invested early in AI, the company is setting the standard for pairing advanced tools with smart process design and disciplined execution on the shop floor. Together, we’re setting the benchmark for how industrial AI creates long-lasting value in the consumer goods sector,” Nicole van Det, CEO Accenture Netherlands and Nordics and global account lead for Unilever.
Accenture is supporting Unilever in deploying industrial AI capabilities that leverage advanced analytics and AI agents to predict maintenance needs, improve performance, and enable teams to act faster, with the ability to adjust automatically under human oversight.
AI-enabled digital twins
In Cu Chi, Vietnam, digital twins are helping Unilever to produce liquid home care products such as OMO laundry detergent. An intelligent mixer powered by an AI digital twin optimises raw-material dosing, preventing overuse and delivering 1–2% savings on premium ingredients.
Digital twins also benefit other Unilever sites, including North Carolina, United States; Haldia and Gandhidham, India and Poznan, Poland.
Unilever plans to expand adoption over the next 18 months by building more than 40 new digital twins.
