Unilever to launch Pureit water purifier in overseas markets

KOLKATA: FMCG major Unilever today said it will launch its water purifier, Pureit, in emerging overseas markets in Asia, South Africa and Eastern and Central Europe.

"We will take Pureit to multiple markets in due course, including several emerging and developing international markets," Unilever President (Asia, South Africa, Eastern and Central Europe) Harish Manwani said here.

He did not specify the new countries where Pureit will be launched, as it is market-sensitive information.

Manwani claimed that at present, Pureit is used by 15 million people and the company plans to take this number to 500 million across the globe by 2020.

He said the product might also be taken to developed markets at a later stage.

He said the company's rural marketing scheme, Shakti Experience, will also be expanded into emerging markets in South-East Asia.

"We have introduced it in Bangladesh and are assessing more markets in South-East Asia, like Vietnam," Manwani said.

Asked about the launch of new products, including detergent concentrates, he said the company is continuously evaluating new products and will launch them in relevant areas.

Speaking about the impact of inflation on input costs, the company president said it was a reality. Nevertheless, Unilever will strike a balance between judicial pricing to stay competitive, cost efficiency and broadening its markets to address the situation, he said.