THE INNOVATION LAYER

Intellectual Capital

Turning Knowledge into Enduring Value

At Dabur, ideas are not abstract concepts, they are living assets that power growth, strengthen brands and create lasting value. Our intellectual capital represents the collective wisdom we have built over generations, and the way we continuously renew it to stay relevant in a fast-changing world.

Rooted in over a century of Ayurvedic knowledge and strengthened by modern science, our Intellectual Capital brings together deep domain expertise, trusted brands, consumer insights and robust research capabilities. This combination allows us to translate tradition into innovation, developing solutions that meet contemporary needs while staying true to Dabur’s vision of being dedicated to the health and well-being of every household.

What sets Dabur apart is the way we convert knowledge into competitive advantage. Consumer insight sits at the heart of our innovation process, guiding everything from product development and new formats to packaging and delivery systems. This disciplined, consumer-led approach helps us innovate with purpose, creating products that resonate, scale efficiently and deliver consistent performance across markets.

Equally important is how we protect and nurture these ideas. Our growing intellectual property portfolio – encompassing patents, trademarks, copyrights and proprietary processes – safeguards innovation, reinforces brand equity and strengthens entry barriers. It underpins Dabur's ability to adapt, compete and grow, even as consumer preferences, technologies and markets evolve.

In FY 2025–26, our R&D spend stood at 44.24 Crores, reflecting our continued commitment to strengthening our innovation pipeline and driving long-term business success.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Innovation becomes truly scalable when it is protected. At Dabur, our intellectual property (IP) approach is designed to safeguard differentiated science, strengthen brand advantage, and convert R&D outcomes into long-term value. We protect our work through a thoughtful mix of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, ensuring that the ideas we nurture remain distinctive in the marketplace and defensible over time.

The year saw the filing of 5 new patents and the publication of 4 research papers, reflecting our commitment to scientific advancement and thought leadership.

Together, these filings reflect how we are sharpening our IP pipeline around high-impact, consumer-relevant formulations, where performance, sensorial experience, and trust converge. Our IP strategy remains a core enabler of growth: it helps us protect breakthrough ideas, strengthen competitive advantage, and accelerate the journey from lab to shelf with confidence.

At Dabur, innovation begins with listening...listening to consumers, to changing lifestyles, and to evolving wellness needs. Every new product is shaped by a blend of deep consumer insight, scientific rigour and the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda. From premium and convenience-led extensions to wellness-focused innovations, Dabur's approach to product development remains rooted in quality, speed-to-market and relevance, enabling it to stay contemporary while strengthening consumer trust across generations.

In 2025-26, Dabur sharpened its innovation focus by bringing contemporary formats, premium propositions and digital-first launches to core wellness and personal care categories. The Company expanded its immunity and wellness portfolio with offerings such as ChyawanShakti Gummies, Dia Control Juice and premium Himalayan Shilajit Gold, while addressing the emerging need of functional hydration with Dabur Glucolyte. Premiumisation gained momentum across baby care, personal care and nutrition with launches including Vatika Bio-Infusions, Dabur A2 Cow Ghee, advanced skincare innovations under Fem and OxyLife, and Dabur Lal Gold. Dabur also made a strategic entry into the digitally native wellness space with Siens by Dabur, strengthening its connect with science-conscious consumers. In foods and beverages, innovations such as Real Cheers and Real Activ Coconut Water reinforced Dabur’s ability to premiumise everyday consumption. Collectively, these initiatives reflect Dabur's disciplined approach to building futureready brands and driving sustainable, value accretive growth.

Innovation has always been at the heart of Dabur's growth story in overseas markets, and 2025–26 was no exception. We combined the best of nature and science to launch premium ranges under brand Vatika like Rosemary and Aquaboost, while strengthening our shampoo portfolio with Shea Butter for repair and moisture, and Avocado for deep nourishment.

A key highlight was the UK debut of Dabur 1884, rooted in heritage, purity, and everyday wellness, introduced through benefit-led teas such as Cleanse, Energize, and Immunity Booster, alongside pantry staples like Multiflora Honey, Organic Cow Ghee, and Himalayan Pink Salt. Building on this momentum, we unveiled a science-backed Rosemary + Biotin hair oil, shampoo, and conditioner range designed to strengthen hair, reduce hair fall, and promote healthier growth. Expanding beyond hair care, Dabur Miswak Mint brought together the goodness of Al Arak Tree and Mint in a scientifically formulated toothpaste for healthy gums and fresh breath.

We also entered the female disposable razors segment, making Fem the only depilatory player present across all category formats. In skincare, Herbolene introduced a nature-powered body lotion range that delivers deep nourishment with long-lasting fine fragrances, elevating everyday moisturization into a sensorial experience. Finally, with the launch of Vatika Menz, we stepped into male grooming, further broadening our portfolio to meet diverse consumer needs.

At Dabur, we see mindful consumption not just as a consumer trend, but as a powerful driver of long-term value creation. Our legacy of holistic well-being is rooted in the belief that good health begins with conscious choices, and in FY 2025–26, we intensified our efforts to inspire healthier habits.

Building Awareness, Inspiring Action

Consumers today are increasingly health-conscious, yet everyday consumption patterns often lag behind this shift. Dabur stepped in to bridge this gap with highimpact campaigns and outreach programmes like:

  • Dabur Chyawanprash Immune India Campaign: By engaging schoolchildren across the country, we promoted awareness of immunity and nutrition at an early age. This initiative not only nurtures healthier generations but also strengthens Dabur’s bond with families and communities.
  • Réal ‘Keep It Real’ Campaign: We challenged the dominance of carbonated soft drinks by spotlighting healthier hydration. With Réal Activ Coconut Water and No-Added Sugar juices, we encouraged consumers to embrace natural, nourishing alternatives.
  • Odomos Seasonal Awareness Drive: Using AI-driven contextual intelligence, Dabur reached millions during peak mosquito seasons with timely health messages. This precision approach ensured relevance, credibility, and strong consumer engagement at moments of highest need.

Blending Tradition with Modern Wellness

We also advanced our mission of making Ayurveda more accessible and appealing to modern lifestyles. Through Ayurveda Samvad knowledgesharing sessions, contemporary packaging, and nationwide health camps, Dabur reinforced its role as a trusted partner in preventive healthcare, combining heritage with science to meet consumer expectations.

These initiatives demonstrate how Dabur’s consumer engagement translates into measurable impact: stronger brand equity, deeper consumer trust, and enhanced ESG performance. By promoting mindful consumption and healthier habits, we not only reduce risks associated with changing consumer preferences but also unlock growth opportunities in ethically conscious and health-driven markets.

At Dabur, we believe that great taste should never come at the cost of health. That’s why our journey to reduce sugar across our beverage portfolio has been one of our proudest commitments. We've already completed three successful rounds of sugar reduction - a milestone that reflects both our promise and our progress.

Starting back in 2018, as a voluntary signatory to FSSAI's Eat Right India movement, we pledged to cut sugar by 5% in two-thirds of our beverages by 2021, and another 5% in half of our portfolio by 2023.

Not only did we meet those targets, we went above and beyond, achieving a 21% reduction compared to 2018 levels, more than double what we had committed.

And the journey doesn't stop there. In 2026–27, we're rolling out yet another round of sugar reduction, this time in two of our much-loved variants: Real Mixed Fruit and Real Guava.

But reducing sugar is only part of the story. We're also innovating with low-sugar and zero-sugar options for those who want to be extra mindful of their intake. Our Real Activ range already offers juices with zero added sugar, alongside naturally refreshing coconut water with less than 20 kcal. To further encourage mindful consumption, we've introduced smaller pack sizes too, making healthier choices more accessible and affordable.

Our commitment goes beyond the bottle. Through our Safe and Nutritious Food initiatives, we've reached thousands of students and community members, inspiring healthier eating habits and encouraging more fruits and vegetables in daily meals.

As consumer expectations evolve, Dabur remains steadfast in its mission: to deliver beverages that are healthier, safer, and more sustainable, without ever compromising on taste.

Going forward, Dabur will intensify its focus on creating, protecting, and scaling intellectual property as a strategic asset. We are strengthening our R&D backbone with a sharper emphasis on scientific rigour, robust validation processes, and evidence-led innovation, ensuring that every product is built on credibility and differentiated science.

Our priorities include expanding patent filings, developing proprietary formulations and institutionalising knowledge management practices that maximise the value of our intellectual capital. At the same time, AI-driven insights and digital tools will help us accelerate innovation cycles and enhance consumer relevance.

We will continue to collaborate with leading research institutions and innovation ecosystems to stay ahead of emerging trends, while embedding sustainability at the core of product development - from clean-label ingredients to circular packaging. By aligning science, IP, and sustainability, we are building a resilient and future-ready innovation ecosystem that will drive long-term value for all stakeholders.

download-pdfAnnual Report 2025-26