Unilever and Accenture partner to scale digital twins AI technology tool across manufacturing

By Alessandro Carrara | Published: 19-Jun-2026

The artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology works by providing Unilever’s manufacturing teams with advanced tools that identify issues earlier, and quickly simulates scenarios across the production cycle

Unilever is expanding its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital twins tool in manufacturing by partnering with technology and management consulting firm Accenture.

The technology works by providing Unilever’s manufacturing teams with advanced tools that identify issues earlier and quickly simulates scenarios across the production cycle.

Further advances in smart manufacturing and predictive analytics aim to help the consumer goods company’s factories improve quality, boost efficiency and respond more quickly to consumer demand, according to Unilever.

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“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,” said Adam Raeburn-James, Global VP for Digital Business Operations, Unilever.

More than 40 digital twins will become operational over the next 18 months, helping teams work more effectively and creating a scalable blueprint for a global rollout.

Production for Unilever’s Personal Care division has reportedly seen a rise in manufacturing efficiency and a reduction in waste since the digital twin was introduced into some of its factories.

This includes the digital twin technology supporting the production of body care brand Dove, along with antiperspirants and deodorants brands, Degree and Axe, at the Raeford plant in North Carolina, US.

It predicted 95% of process flow restrictions in deodorant stick manufacturing, leading to a 20% reduction in waste and a 10% uplift in capacity, according to Unilever.

Similarly, at Gandhidham, India, one of Unilever’s largest Personal Care sites in South Asia, a digital twin helped reduce quality defects for Dove’s hero soap bars by 30% over four years through real-time control recommendations.

Nicole van Det, CEO, Accenture Netherlands and Nordics, added: “Having invested early in AI, Unilever is setting the standard for pairing advanced tools with smart process design and disciplined execution on the shop floor.

“Together, we are setting the benchmark for how industrial AI creates measurable value in the consumer goods sector.”

The announcement builds on Unilever’s commitment to scale next-generation technology across its business operations, including identifying and testing new AI solutions through the AI Horizon3 Lab in Toronto, Canada.