Ausbildung Fachkraft für Lebensmitteltechnik - d/w/m, 2027

Unilever invests ksh70m in solar power at Nairobi factory. Unilever has invested Ksh 70 million in a solar power system at its Nairobi factory as the consumer goods manufacturer moves to lower energy costs, reduce emissions and make its operations less dependent on conventional fuels. The 800kW solar installation, which became operational in June 2026, is expected to provide about 30 per cent of the factory's electricity needs and save the company roughly Sh30 million in annual energy costs. The investment gives Unilever a way to tackle two pressures facing manufacturers at the same time: the cost of running energy-intensive operations and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Rather than treating sustainability as a separate expense, the company is using renewable energy to cut an ongoing operating cost. The Nairobi factory has also benefited from an earlier change in its energy mix, with its boilers switched from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to biomass. Combined with the new solar installation, Unilever estimates that the plant has reduced its carbon emissions by about 40 per cent compared with its 2023 baseline. The company said the changes have also made energy costs more predictable and improved the resilience of its manufacturing operations. "Investments like this make our operations more resilient and more competitive while reducing our reliance on conventional energy," said João F. Ribeiro, Unilever's 1UL Supply Chain Head, who unveiled the solar installation at a ceremony at the factory. "The Nairobi factory is an important part of our manufacturing footprint, and this project shows how local action can contribute to our wider climate ambitions," he added. Solar investment targets both costs and emissions. For manufacturers, energy is more than a utility bill. Electricity and fuel costs can influence production expenses, pricing and the ability of a factory to operate efficiently when energy markets become unpredictable. Unilever's Nairobi investment is therefore aimed at more than reducing its environmental footprint. The company expects the solar system to lower its annual energy bill by about Sh30 million, giving the factory a recurring financial benefit after the initial investment. At the expected savings rate, the Sh70 million investment would equal roughly 2.3 years of energy-cost savings, although the actual payback period will depend on factors such as electricity consumption, solar generation and operating conditions. Elodie Kouassi, Head of Supply Chain, East Africa excluding Ethiopia, said the project demonstrates how environmental and commercial objectives can work together. "This investment demonstrates that sustainability and strong business performance can advance together," Kouassi said. "By increasing renewable energy use at our Nairobi factory, we are reducing operational emissions, managing energy costs and strengthening the resilience of our supply chain." The company said the project forms part of a wider programme to increase renewable energy use across its manufacturing plants and reduce reliance on conventional fuels. Unilever prepares next phase of factory decarbonisation. The solar installation is not the end of Unilever's plans for the Nairobi factory. The company said its next phase will focus on moving hot-air generation from HFO to biomass-based fuels. The change is expected to further reduce the factory's use of fossil fuels and build on the progress already made through the boiler conversion and solar project. This means the factory's energy transition is taking place across several areas rather than relying on solar power alone. Electricity consumption is being addressed through the 800kW solar system, while industrial heat is being shifted away from HFO through biomass. That distinction matters because manufacturing facilities often require both electricity and heat, meaning a single renewable-energy project cannot eliminate all fossil-fuel use. The Nairobi factory is part of Unilever's wider manufacturing footprint, making the investment significant beyond the immediate reduction in the plant's energy costs. For the company, the project provides a local example of how changes to factory operations can support broader climate targets while also making commercial sense. Kenya's relatively strong renewable-energy base also provides an important backdrop to such investments. As manufacturers look for ways to manage energy costs and improve efficiency, investments in on-site generation and alternative fuels could become an increasingly important part of industrial planning. For Unilever, the Nairobi factory's shift is already producing a combination that businesses rarely turn down: lower running costs, less exposure to conventional fuels and a smaller carbon footprint. The company estimates that the combined measures have already cut emissions by about 40 per cent from the 2023 baseline, while the solar project is expected to save about Sh30 million every year. The next test will be whether the planned shift in hot-air generation can deliver further reductions and strengthen the factory's position as a lower-carbon manufacturing operation.

South African factory set to supply 80% of the world's Vaseline Petroleum Jelly after $6 million expansion. 06 October 2026 08:17 AM A South African factory is set to supply approximately 80% of Unilever's global Vaseline Petroleum Jelly volume following an expansion that strengthens Africa's role in the production of one of the world's most recognisable skincare products. Unilever commissioned an additional Vaseline Petroleum Jelly production line in Durban on 2 October 2026. [LinkedIn] * Unilever has expanded a Durban factory expected to supply 80% of its global Vaseline Petroleum Jelly volume. * The approximately $6 million investment adds a fourth packing line, processing equipment and bulk storage. * The expansion comes as the longstanding skincare brand attracts new consumers through social media and product innovation. * The factory's increased share concerns petroleum jelly specifically, rather than the entire Vaseline skincare range. Unilever commissioned the new production line at its Maydon Wharf facility in Durban on 2 October, following an investment of approximately $6 million. The expansion is expected to increase the factory's contribution from about 60% of the company's worldwide petroleum-jelly supply to 80%, placing a larger share of the household product's manufacturing in South Africa. The investment adds a fourth Vaseline Petroleum Jelly packing line, supported by a new process plant and additional bulk storage. It expands an existing manufacturing operation rather than establishing a new factory. The scale is significant beyond the investment itself. A single African facility would account for roughly four-fifths of Unilever's global supply of the product, although that percentage does not cover the brand's wider range of lotions and other skincare products. According to Moneyweb's 5 October report, the expanded operation will raise Durban's contribution to global supply. Stefan Cloete, Unilever Southern Africa's chief executive, described the facility as central to the company's international manufacturing network. "Maydon Wharf represents the very best of Unilever's heritage, capability and ambition," he said. An old brand finds new demand The expansion comes as Unilever seeks to turn Vaseline's longstanding household recognition into faster growth through product development and digital marketing. At a June investor conference, Unilever chief executive Fernando Fernandez said Vaseline had recorded 12% volume growth over the preceding three years. The figure concerns the broader brand, rather than output from the Durban factory alone. Part of that momentum comes from finding new commercial uses for a familiar product. Through its Vaseline Verified campaign, the company's scientists tested beauty and lifestyle tips shared by consumers online, then used validated ideas to develop products and partnerships. Unilever subsequently introduced a primer and highlighter jelly and an eyebrow-taming product through TikTok Shop in Thailand. The company said the products sold out within minutes, with a further release also selling out in April. The strategy illustrates how an established brand can reach younger customers without abandoning its core product. Unilever says the campaign helped Vaseline achieve double-digit growth, although it has not disclosed how much of that demand will be supplied by the expanded Durban operation. Unilever commissioned an additional Vaseline Petroleum Jelly production line in Durban on 2 October 2026. [Jumia] From Sunlight soap to global skincare supply Maydon Wharf's international role has developed over more than a century. Established in 1912, the facility originally manufactured Sunlight bar soap. It now produces several categories of household and personal-care products, with annual output of approximately 139,000 tonnes across more than 20 production lines. That total covers the factory's combined products, rather than Vaseline alone. The latest installation brought together equipment from Germany and Italy with South African engineering expertise, according to The National's account of the commissioning. Its position beside the Port of Durban connects the manufacturing operation to export infrastructure, giving the site access to markets across Africa and further abroad. The expansion therefore adds processing and packing capacity to an established production and distribution network. Manufacturing locally, supplying internationally The project also sits within Unilever's broader localisation programme in South Africa. The company says approximately 95% of its products sold in South Africa are manufactured locally, while local sourcing of materials rose from 40% in 2019 to 80% in 2025. Those figures describe its South African business, not its worldwide manufacturing footprint. For African manufacturing, the important feature is the factory's role beyond its domestic market, Durban is supplying a substantial share of a global consumer product rather than producing solely for local shoppers. The expanded line has been commissioned, but the reports do not specify when the projected 80% supply share will be reached. They also do not disclose additional export earnings or a separate number of permanent jobs created by the investment.