Unilever Philippines has renewed its partnership with First Gen Corp., the country’s leading renewable energy (RE) producer, to power seven of its production and distribution sites with approximately 10 megawatts of geothermal energy. The agreement, signed on September 10, underscores Unilever’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions as part of its global sustainability goals.
The electricity will be sourced from geothermal plants operated by First Gen’s subsidiary, Energy Development Corp. (EDC), located in Leyte, Negros Oriental, and the Bicol region. Geothermal energy, a 24/7 baseload RE source, plays a central role in Unilever’s long-term climate strategy, ensuring uninterrupted green power to its factories in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas.
Unilever’s Philippine operations manufacture a wide range of consumer products—including brands like Magnum, Knorr, Dove, and Surf—making the country one of its key global production hubs. According to Unilever executives, this energy partnership is essential to advancing both environmental goals and supply chain resilience.
“Since 2017, First Gen has been our partner in helping us reduce the carbon footprint of our manufacturing operations,” said Rondell Torres, sustainability lead at Unilever Philippines. Arvind Sunderrajan, head of Unilever Supply Chain Foods – Greater Asia, added that strategic partnerships are crucial for accelerating decarbonization and inclusive growth.
First Gen’s Carlo Vega echoed the shared commitment to sustainability, saying, “We are proud to partner with Unilever Philippines in its sustainability journey… by choosing to decarbonize.”
This deal highlights how corporate policy and environmental responsibility are increasingly intertwined, with major firms like Unilever aligning operational practices with global climate goals through renewable energy partnerships.
