Unilever Spins Off Ice‑Cream Business — Magnum Ice Cream Company Launch (December 2025)

Unilever’s Ice‑Cream Spin‑Off: A New Scoop of Hope

On 5 December 2025, Unilever confirmed that it will spin off its ice‑cream business — which includes famous brands like Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Wall's and Cornetto — into a standalone company named The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC).

According to Unilever, its ice‑cream division contributed roughly 16% of group sales. The company explained that ice‑cream operations differ significantly from its other business lines — with a separate supply chain, cold‑chain logistics, seasonal demand patterns, and different cost dynamics — making a spin‑off a logical move to allow both entities to operate more efficiently.

As per the latest schedule, the separation is set to complete by 6 December 2025, with TMICC shares expected to begin trading on 8 December 2025 on the Amsterdam exchange — followed by secondary listings in other markets. Unilever will retain a minority stake (under 20%) in TMICC for up to five years, to support financial flexibility post‑demerger.

Industry analysts estimate that after separation, TMICC will be valued in the range of €14–19 billion, depending on its future performance and profitability. As a standalone ice‑cream company, TMICC is projected to control over 20% of the global ice‑cream market — making it one of the biggest independent players worldwide.

This independence offers TMICC the freedom to tailor its strategies specifically around ice‑cream: optimize cold‑chain logistics, innovate in flavors and packaging, and respond more nimbly to consumer preferences — including trends for healthier or premium frozen products. TMICC’s new management under expected leadership aims to cut costs and streamline operations to improve margins and growth potential.

However, the spin‑off also comes with challenges. Ice‑cream business is highly seasonal, raw‑material costs can fluctuate, and global economic conditions or consumer shifts (e.g. health consciousness, competition from snacks or diet trends) may affect demand. Sustaining profitability will require efficient supply‑chain management, strong marketing, and continuous innovation.

Overall, the spin‑off of Unilever’s ice‑cream division — metamorphosing into The Magnum Ice Cream Company — appears to be a well‑considered strategic move. If TMICC executes its plans effectively, ice‑cream lovers worldwide could see better products, more variety, and improved quality. From a business perspective, the spin‑off may unlock value for shareholders and allow both Unilever and TMICC to focus on their core strengths independently.

Unilever’s ice‑cream spin‑off thus marks not the end of an era but the beginning of a fresh chapter — one filled with potential for growth, innovation, and renewed focus in the global frozen dessert market.