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Himalaya Wellness Group, a global leader in herbal health and personal care, continues to drive robust regional growth through strategic innovations developed through Himalaya’s integrated global R&D organisation, including its Global Research Centre located in Dubai Science Park. The Group is setting its sight on sustainable double-digit growth for its personal care business across the UAE and wider GCC region.
With a rich heritage spanning 96 years, Himalaya’s decision to establish its 55,000-square-foot Global Research Centre in Dubai was driven by the Emirate’s business-friendly environment and its position as a “gateway to the world”. The investment directly supports the national objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and houses a diverse team of more than 50 scientists and researchers from 12 different nationalities – directly supporting Dubai’s vision of being a global Innovation hub. The Dubai R&D centre forms part of Himalaya’s integrated global R&D organisation, anchored by the Group’s established R&D centre in India.
“Dubai’s dynamic business environment makes it the ideal launchpad for our continued global outreach and mission to bring wellness into every home,” stated Kunal Sahgal, Chief Growth Officer at Himalaya Wellness Group. “Our research centre is strategically positioned so we can interact directly with consumers in the region, intimately understand their concerns, and work within Himalaya’s integrated global R&D organisation to develop and adapt products tailored to regional needs.”
Himalaya expects product innovations developed through its integrated global R&D organisation, supported by the regional capabilities of the Dubai R&D Centre, to increasingly drive its consumer product business across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
To sustain this competitive edge, the centre integrates cutting-edge technology. This includes an AI-powered Consumer Experience Centre (CEC) that uses video analytics to capture real-time feedback, alongside advanced Raman spectroscopy for in vivo monitoring of ingredient penetration into the skin. Evaluation technologies are used to assess product performance under real-world conditions across a broad range of skin types, tones, and ethnic backgrounds, thereby, supporting the development and adaptation of products suited to Dubai climate and for all skin types.
Focusing on regional concerns like acne and pimples which affects over 65% of the local demographic, this integrated approach of combining regional consumer insights with Himalaya’s broader R&D capabilities, supports the company’s ability to address local consumer needs. The brand’s Purifying Neem Face Wash has secured the No. 1 market position in the GCC, confirming consumer faith in this product as one of the best pimple face washes in the market.
“Our core philosophy is to research trusted herbal ingredients, and combine them with modern scientific actives, with a recent example being the launch of the Purifying Neem Serum, built with 5 parts of Neem, natural Salicylic Acid and CICA, and clinically tested to show results on pimples and marks,” explained Jean Francois Porracchia, Chief R&D Officer, who leads Himalaya’s integrated global R&D organisation across its research centres. “We apply stringent authentication methods, including Himalaya’s development and use of DNA barcodes for over 50 herbs, to verify herbal identity at the molecular level and ensure total safety and consistency”.
Beyond R&D, Himalaya utilizes a robust operational footprint in the UAE
The company collaborates with several manufacturing partners across different emirates to produce personal care products that serve an extensive export network. Today, Himalaya maintains a global presence in over 120 countries, supported by five global hubs, over 90 manufacturing facilities, and a workforce of over 10,000 employees.
These strategic milestones and the ongoing focus on creating skincare products ‘Powered by Nature & Perfected by Science’ were recently celebrated at a dedicated showcase event hosted at the Dubai Global Research Centre, and attended by several creators & dermatologists from Dubai underlining the brand’s mission of bringing “Wellness in every Home, Happiness in every Heart” to the region and beyond.