Double Win for HUL: Pondicherry and Gandhidham Join World Economic Forum’s Elite Global Lighthouse Network
#HUL #WorldEconomicForum #GlobalLighthouse #SmartManufacturing #Sustainability #AIinIndustry #DigitalTransformation #MakeInIndia #4IR #FutureOfWork
January 2026 : Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has kicked off 2026 with a dual victory, as the World Economic Forum (WEF) designated its manufacturing units in Pondicherry and Gandhidham (Gujarat) as Advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lighthouse sites. This prestigious recognition brings HUL’s total count of "Lighthouse" factories to five - joining its Dapada, Sonepat, and Doom Dooma sites.
The WEF Global Lighthouse Network identifies manufacturers who use Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies like AI, 3D printing, and big data to transform the production landscape.
The Gandhidham facility, operating in the water-scarce Kutch region, has been specifically hailed as a Sustainability Lighthouse. By leveraging AI, digital twins, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the unit achieved a 17% reduction in water use and saved 6.12 billion liters of community water. Furthermore, it slashed Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% through a shift to renewable energy.
Meanwhile, the Pondicherry site received the distinction for Productivity. Facing challenges from accelerating innovation cycles and high product complexity, the unit deployed Machine Learning-driven process control. This digital overhaul enabled a 25% growth in volume and a threefold increase in product variants within existing capacity.
“We are delighted to begin the new year with a double honour from the World Economic Forum. This achievement reflects our strategic focus on leveraging advanced technologies to optimize operations, deliver superior product quality and set new benchmarks for innovation,” said Priya Nair, CEO and MD of HUL.
Yogesh Mishra, Executive Director, Supply Chain, added, “This recognition reinforces our commitment to building a sustainable future, powered by the transformative potential of AI and digitisation. The WEF Lighthouse honour for our sites demonstrates that sustainability, innovation, and workforce development can go hand-in-hand, creating long-term value for both business and society.”
Biren Bhatia - Cluster Manufacturing Director, Pondicherry Multi Category Site, Unilever exclaimed- “Three years ago, we dared to dream big: transforming our factory into a "future-fit" powerhouse through cutting-edge technology. Today, that vision is reality - a testament to unwavering belief, bold innovation, and unbreakable teamwork. We're bursting with pride and joy for pioneering a smarter, faster, sustainable supply chain that sets new benchmarks!”
WEF’s Managing Director Kiva Allgood noted that competitiveness is now defined by the "ability to sense, adapt and respond at speed." HUL’s latest achievement proves that intelligence-led operations are no longer just experiments - they are the new global standard.
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