Unilever has invested R100 million in its Maydon Wharf manufacturing facility in Durban, expanding local production capacity and strengthening KwaZulu-Natal’s role as an industrial and export hub.

The KwaZulu-Natal government confirmed the investment on 2 October, describing it as a boost for domestic manufacturing, employment and the province’s industrial base.

Moneyweb reports that the investment includes a new Vaseline production line that will increase the Durban facility’s share of global Vaseline Petroleum Jelly production from about 60% to 80%.

Durban plant expands production

The Maydon Wharf facility is one of Unilever’s long-standing manufacturing sites in South Africa.

According to Moneyweb, the plant was established in 1912 and has grown from producing Sunlight soap into a multi-brand manufacturing operation serving local and international markets.

The publication reports that the factory employs about 350 full-time workers and 200 freelancers.

The new production line involved engineering and fabrication teams installing equipment sourced from Germany and Italy.

KZN government backs investment

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli attended the investment milestone alongside Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

The provincial government said the R100 million project would strengthen local production capabilities and improve the competitiveness of goods made in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ntuli said the investment reflected continued confidence in the province’s manufacturing base and highlighted the importance of localisation to economic growth.

The province also pointed to KwaZulu-Natal’s ports, freight corridors and industrial infrastructure as important advantages for manufacturers supplying domestic and international markets.

Local sourcing also increases

Moneyweb reports that Unilever has increased the proportion of materials it sources locally from 40% in 2019 to 80% in 2025.

The company also says around 95% of the products it sells in South Africa are manufactured locally.

Unilever Southern Africa CEO Stefan Cloete said the latest investment would support manufacturing, jobs and skills development while strengthening South Africa’s position in the company’s wider supply network.

The specific claim that the Durban plant will produce 80% of global Vaseline Petroleum Jelly remains based on Moneyweb’s reporting, while the R100 million investment and its broader manufacturing objectives are confirmed by the KwaZulu-Natal government.