Who Owns Seventh Generation?
Seventh Generation is owned by Unilever (NYSE: UL), the British multinational consumer goods company. Unilever acquired Seventh Generation in 2016 for approximately $700 million.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
2016
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Burlington, Vermont
Who Owns Seventh Generation?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2016
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Seventh Generation | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Seventh Generation
- Founded: 1988
- Founders: Jeffrey Hollender
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 2016
Seventh Generation was founded in 1988 in Burlington, Vermont, by Jeffrey Hollender. The brand's name references the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, a principle attributed to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people which states that decisions should be made considering their impact on the next seven generations. This philosophy became the foundation of the company's mission to create products that are safe for both people and the planet.
The company initially launched as a catalog business selling recycled paper products and environmentally friendly household items. In the early 1990s, Seventh Generation began developing its own line of plant-based household cleaning products, including laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners, and paper products made from recycled materials. The products were formulated without synthetic fragrances, dyes, or harsh chemicals commonly found in conventional cleaning products.
Seventh Generation grew steadily throughout the 1990s and 2000s as consumer awareness of environmental issues and chemical safety increased. The brand became a pioneer in ingredient transparency, voluntarily disclosing all ingredients on its product labels and website at a time when most cleaning product manufacturers were not required to do so. This transparency built deep trust with health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers.
In 2010, Jeffrey Hollender was removed as CEO following a board dispute, though the company continued to grow under new leadership. Seventh Generation expanded its product range into personal care items including baby wipes, feminine care products, and hand soap, broadening its appeal beyond household cleaning.
The brand achieved B Corporation certification, meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This certification reinforced Seventh Generation's credibility as a genuinely mission-driven company rather than simply a marketing exercise in "greenwashing."
Unilever acquired Seventh Generation in 2016 for approximately $700 million, recognizing the brand's strong position in the natural products market and its alignment with Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan. Under Unilever's ownership, Seventh Generation has maintained its Burlington, Vermont headquarters and its commitment to plant-based formulations while gaining access to Unilever's global distribution network and research capabilities. The brand has expanded its retail presence significantly, moving from specialty natural food stores into mainstream retailers including Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Seventh Generation Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Brands Owned by Unilever plc
- Axe - Male grooming brand owned by Unilever, known for body spray and deodorant produc...
- Ben & Jerry's - American ice cream company known for unique flavors and social activism, owned b...
- Best Foods - American mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, known as Hellmann's e...
- Bovril - Heritage British beef extract brand owned by Unilever, invented in 1870 and know...
- Brooke Bond - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for Red Label and PG Tips tea product...
- Cif - Global cleaning products brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1969 and known for...
- Clear - Global anti-dandruff shampoo and scalp care brand owned by Unilever, launched in...
- Close-Up - Global oral care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1967 as the world's first ...
- Comfort - Global fabric softener brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1969 as the world's ...
- Degree - North American deodorant and antiperspirant brand owned by Unilever, the US bran...
- Domestos - British household cleaning brand owned by Unilever, known for its bleach-based t...
- Dove - Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare produc...
- Hellmann's - American mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, known as Best Foods w...
- HelloFresh - Meal kit delivery service brand owned by Unilever, providing pre-portioned ingre...
- Knorr - German food brand owned by Unilever, specializing in soups, seasonings, and read...
- Lancôme - Luxury beauty brand owned by Unilever, known for premium skincare, makeup, and f...
- Lifebuoy - Heritage health and hygiene soap brand owned by Unilever, created in 1894 as a c...
- Lipton - Global tea brand primarily owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions (CVC Capital Partn...
- Lux - Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever, known as the world's f...
- Magnum - Premium ice cream brand owned by Unilever, known for chocolate-coated ice cream ...
- Maizena - Global corn starch brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1856 and used as a versat...
- Marmite - British savoury yeast extract spread owned by Unilever, known for its "Love it o...
- Noxzema - American skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1914 and known for its med...
- Omo - Global laundry detergent brand owned by Unilever, launched in the 1950s and Unil...
- Pepsodent - Global toothpaste brand owned by Unilever outside North America, founded in 1915...
- PG Tips - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for its pyramid tea bags and advertis...
- Pond's - Global skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1846 as a patent medicine an...
- Pot Noodle - British instant noodle brand owned by Unilever, known for its quick preparation ...
- Rexona - Global deodorant and antiperspirant brand owned by Unilever, founded in Australi...
- Simple - Skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for gentle, dermatologist-tested product...
- St. Ives - American skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its natural ingredient form...
- Sunsilk - Global hair care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1954 in the United Kingdom...
- Surf - Global laundry detergent brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1953 and known for...
- TRESemmé - Global salon-quality hair care brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1947 and know...
- Vaseline - American petroleum jelly and skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its hea...
- Wall's - Ice cream brand owned by Unilever, known for ice cream bars, cones, and frozen t...
Seventh Generation Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Leading plant-based cleaning brand with strong sustainability credentials
- +B Corp certified with rigorous social and environmental standards
- +Full ingredient transparency builds consumer trust
- +Unilever's distribution network provides broad retail availability
- +Growing consumer demand for natural and eco-friendly household products
Considerations
- -Owned by Unilever, which also sells conventional chemical cleaning products
- -Premium pricing compared to conventional cleaning brands
- -Some products may not match cleaning power of harsh chemical alternatives
- -"Natural" claims can be subjective since the term is not federally regulated
- -Acquisition by large multinational raises authenticity concerns for some consumers
Frequently Asked Questions About Seventh Generation
Competitors to Seventh Generation
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Seventh Generationoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Unilever plc Stock Information
Jobs at Unilever plc
Latest News About Seventh Generation
Related Articles About Seventh Generation
View more articles
The Label Says 'Natural' But Who Really Owns It?
That organic shampoo, natural deodorant, or clean beauty product might be owned by a multinational conglomerate. Here is who really owns the 'natural' brands on your shelf.
Tide vs Gain: Why P&G Owns Both of America's Top Detergents
Tide and Gain are the two best-selling laundry detergents in America. They compete fiercely on every shelf. But both are made by the same company. Here is why that is not a contradiction.
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the household-products category and related searches from other users.
Unilever plc
British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company and one of the world's largest FMCG companies, owning Dove, Hellmann's, Lipton, Axe, Knorr, Ben & Jerry's, and over 400 brands sold in 190 countries.
160over90
Global marketing and PR agency specializing in branding, advertising, and experiential marketing for entertainment and sports clients.
7-Eleven
Global leader in convenience retail with over 84,000 stores across 19 countries, offering a diverse range of food, beverages, and everyday essentials with a focus on 24/7 accessibility and neighborhood convenience.