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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Number 333-155427

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 7, 2011

(To Prospectus dated November 18, 2008)

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement together with the accompanying prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Unilever Capital Corporation

$            % Senior Notes due 2016
$            % Senior Notes due 2021

Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest Guaranteed Jointly, Severally, Fully and Unconditionally by

Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC
and Unilever United States, Inc.



        Unilever Capital Corporation will pay interest on the Notes on          and          of each year, commencing            , 2011. The Notes will be issued only in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $100,000.

        Unilever Capital Corporation may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement plus accrued interest. See "Description of the Notes."

        See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the Notes.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 
  Per 2016 Note   Total   Per 2021 Note   Total

Public Offering Price

  %   $             %   $          

Underwriting Discount(1)

  %   $             %   $          

Proceeds to Unilever Capital Corporation

  %   $             %   $          

(1)
See "Underwriting."

        The initial public offering price set forth above does not include accrued interest, if any. Interest on the Notes will accrue from                    , 2011 and must be paid by the purchaser if the Notes are delivered after                    , 2011.



        The underwriters expect to deliver the Notes in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Clearstream and Euroclear, on                    , 2011.



Joint Bookrunners

Deutsche Bank Securities   J.P. Morgan   UBS Investment Bank

Prospectus Supplement dated                    , 2011.


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        You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

About This Prospectus Supplement

    S-2  

Risk Factors

    S-3  

Where You Can Find More Information About Us

    S-7  

Exchange Rates

    S-8  

Forward-Looking And Cautionary Statements

    S-9  

Unilever Group

    S-10  

Capitalization

    S-13  

Use of Proceeds

    S-13  

Selected Financial Data

    S-14  

Description of The Notes

    S-15  

Taxation

    S-19  

Underwriting

    S-24  

Legal Matters

    S-27  

Experts

    S-27  

Prospectus

 

Enforcement of Civil Liabilities Against Foreign Persons

   
i
 

Where You Can Find More Information About Us

    1  

Unilever Group

    2  

Unilever Capital Corporation

    3  

Unilever United States, Inc. 

    4  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    4  

Use of Proceeds

    4  

Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees

    5  

Plan of Distribution

    16  

Legal Matters

    17  

Experts

    17  

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        We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement.

        The distribution of this prospectus supplement and prospectus and the offering of the Notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This prospectus supplement and prospectus do not constitute an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or on behalf of the underwriters or any of them to subscribe to or purchase, any of the Notes, and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. See "Underwriting."

        Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and their group companies are together referred to in this prospectus as "Unilever," the "Unilever Group," "we," "us" or the "Group." For such purposes "group companies" means, in relation to Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, those companies required to be consolidated in accordance with The Netherlands and United Kingdom legislative requirements relating to consolidated accounts. Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and their group companies together constitute a single group for the purpose of meeting those requirements.

        In this prospectus references to "$," "US$," "US dollars" and "United States dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States of America, references to "£," "p" and "pounds sterling" are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom and references to "€" and "euro" are to the lawful currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union.

        References to the "2016 Notes" are to the        % Senior Notes due 2016 and references to the "2021 Notes" are to the            % Senior Notes due 2021, (the 2016 Notes and the 2021 Notes together, the "Notes"), in each case issued by Unilever Capital Corporation and guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally by Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever United States, Inc.


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing a "shelf" registration process. There is on file with the SEC (and attached hereto) a prospectus dated November 18, 2008 that provides you with a general description of the offered guaranteed debt securities. This prospectus supplement contains specific information about the terms of this offering. This prospectus supplement adds, updates and changes information contained in the prospectus. You should read the prospectus and this prospectus supplement, together with additional information described below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information About Us."

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RISK FACTORS

Economic

        Unilever's business is dependent on continuing consumer demand for our brands. Reduced consumer wealth driven by adverse economic conditions may result in our consumers becoming unwilling or unable to purchase our products, which could adversely affect our cash flow, turnover, profits and profit margins. In addition we have a large number of global brands, some of which have a significant carrying value as intangible assets: adverse economic conditions may reduce the value of those brands which could require us to impair their balance sheet value.

        During economic downturns access to credit could be constrained. This could impact the viability of our suppliers and customers and could temporarily inhibit the flow of day-to-day cash transactions with suppliers and customers via the banks.

        Adverse economic conditions may affect one or more countries within a region, or may extend globally. The impact on our overall portfolio will depend on the severity of the economic slowdown, the mix of countries affected and any government response to reduce the impact such as fiscal stimulus, changes to taxation and measures to minimise unemployment.

Markets

        Unilever operates globally in competitive markets where the activities of other multinational companies, local and regional companies and customers which have a significant private label business may adversely affect our market shares, cashflow, turnover, profits and/or profit margins.

        In 2010, more than half of Unilever's turnover came from developing and emerging markets including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey, South Africa, China, Mexico and Russia. These markets are typically more volatile than developed markets, so we are continually exposed to changing economic, political and social developments outside our control, any of which could adversely affect our business. Failure to understand and respond effectively to local market developments could put at risk our cash flow, turnover, profit and/or profit margins.

Brands and innovation

        Unilever's Mission is to help people feel good, look, good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others. This is achieved by designing and delivering superior branded products/services at relevant price points to consumers across the globe. Failure to provide sufficient funding to develop new products, lack of technical capability in the research and development function, lack of prioritisation of projects and/or failure by operating management to successfully and quickly roll out the products may adversely impact our cash flow, turnover, profit and/or profit margins and may impact our reputation.

Customer

        Increasing competitive pressure from and consolidation of customers could adversely impact our cashflow, turnover, profits and/or profit margins.

        Maintaining successful relationships with our customers is key to ensuring our brands are successfully presented to our consumers and are available for purchase at all times. Any breakdown in the relationships with customers could reduce the availability to our consumers of existing products and new product launches and therefore impact our cash flow, turnover, profits and/or profit margins.

        The retail industry continues to consolidate in many of our markets. Further consolidation and the continuing growth of discounters could increase the competitive retail environment by increasing customers' purchasing power, increasing the demand for competitive promotions and price discounts,

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increase cross-border sourcing to take advantage of pricing arbitrage and thus adversely impact our cash flow, turnover, profits and/or profit margins. Increased competition between retailers could place pressure on retailer margins and increase the counterparty risk to Unilever.

Financial/Treasury

        Our global operations expose us to changes in liquidity, interest rates, currency exchange rates, pensions and taxation, which may have a negative impact on our business.

        As a global organisation Unilever's asset values, earnings and cashflows are influenced by a wide variety of currencies, interest rates, tax jurisdictions and differing taxes. If we are unable to manage our exposures to any one, or a combination, of these factors, this could adversely impact our cash flow, profits and/or profit margins. A material and significant shortfall in net cash flow could undermine Unilever's credit rating, impair investor confidence and hinder our ability to raise funds, whether through access to credit markets, commercial paper programmes, long-term bond issuances or otherwise. In times of financial market volatility, we are also potentially exposed to counterparty risks with banks.

        We are exposed to market interest rate fluctuations on our floating rate debt. Increases in benchmark interest rates could increase the interest cost of our floating rate debt and increase the cost of future borrowings. Our inability to manage the interest cost effectively could have an adverse impact on our cash flow, profits and/or profit margins.

        Because of the breadth of our international operations we are subject to risks from changes to the relative value of currencies which can fluctuate widely and could have a significant impact on our assets, cashflow, turnover, profits and/or profit margins. Further, because Unilever consolidates its financial statements in euros it is subject to exchange risks associated with the translation of the underlying net assets of its foreign subsidiaries. We are also subject to the imposition of exchange controls by individual countries which could limit our ability to import materials paid by foreign currency or to remit dividends to the parent company.

        Certain businesses have defined benefit pension plans, most now closed to new employees, which are exposed to movements in interest rates, fluctuating values of underlying investments and increased life expectancy. Changes in any or all of these inputs could potentially increase the cost to Unilever of funding the schemes and therefore have an adverse impact on profitability and cash flow.

        In view of the current economic climate and deteriorating government deficit positions, tax legislation in the countries in which we operate may be subject to change, which may have an adverse impact on our profits.

Consumer safety and sustainability

        Our industry is subject to focus on social and environmental issues, including sustainable development, product safety and renewable resources. If we fail to meet applicable standards or expectations with respect to these issues, our reputation could be damaged and our business adversely affected.

        Unilever has developed a strong corporate reputation over many years for its focus on social and environmental issues, including promoting sustainable renewable resources. The Unilever brand logo is now displayed on all our products and increasingly displayed in our advertising, increasing our external exposure. In 2010, we launched the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan that sets out our social and environmental ambitions for the coming decade. The environmental measures that we regard as most significant are those relating to CO2 from energy that we use, the water we consume as part of our production processes and the amount of waste that we generate for disposal. Failure to design products with a lower environmental footprint could damage our reputation and hence long-term cash flow,

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turnover, profits and/or profit margins. Should we fail to meet high product safety, social, environmental and ethical standards across all our products and in all our operations and activities it could impact our reputation, leading to the rejection of products by consumers, damage to our brands including growth and profitability, and diversion of management time into rebuilding our reputation.

Operations

        Our input costs are subject to fluctuation and we are reliant on efficient suppliers and regional/global supply chains to produce and deliver our products to our customers.

        Our ability to make products is dependent on securing timely and cost-effective supplies of production materials, some of which are globally traded commodities. The price of commodities and other key materials, labour, warehousing and distribution fluctuates according to global economic conditions, which can have a significant impact on our product costs. We saw commodity prices rise during the second half of 2010 and this looks set to continue in 2011. If we are unable to increase prices to compensate for higher input costs, this could reduce our cash flow, profits and/or profit margins. If we increase prices more than our competitors, this could undermine our competitiveness and hence market shares.

        Further, two-thirds of the raw materials that we buy come from agriculture. Changing weather patterns, water scarcity and unsustainable farming practices threaten the long-term viability of agricultural production. A reduction in agricultural production may limit our ability to manufacture products in the long term.

        We are dependent on regional and global supply chains for the supply of raw materials and services and for the manufacture, distribution and delivery of our products. We may be unable to respond to adverse events occurring in any part of this supply chain such as changes in local legal and regulatory schemes, labour shortages and disruptions, environmental and industrial accidents, bankruptcy of a key supplier or failure to deliver supplies on time and in full, which could impact our ability to deliver orders to our customers. Any of the foregoing could adversely impact our cash flow, turnover, profits and/or profit margins and harm our reputation and our brands.

People and talent

        Our success depends on attracting, developing and retaining talented people within our business. Any shortfall in recruitment or retention could adversely affect our ability to deliver our strategy and compete in our markets.

        Attracting, developing and retaining talented employees is essential to the delivery of our strategy. If we fail to determine the appropriate mix of skills required to implement our strategy and subsequently fail to recruit or develop the right number of appropriately qualified people, or if there are high levels of staff turnover, this could adversely affect our ability to operate successfully, and hence grow our business and effectively compete in the marketplace.

Legal and regulatory

        Unilever is subject to many local, regional and global jurisdictions. Failure to comply with local laws and regulatory regimes could expose Unilever to litigation, penalties, fines and/or imprisonment of its executives.

        Unilever is subject to local, regional and global rules, laws and regulations, covering such diverse areas as product safety, product claims, trademarks, copyright, patents, employee health and safety, the environment, corporate governance, listing and disclosure, employment and taxes. Important regulatory bodies in respect of our business include the European Commission and the US Food and Drug Administration. Failure to comply with laws and regulations could leave Unilever open to civil and/or

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criminal legal challenge and, if upheld, fines or imprisonment imposed on us or our employees. Further, our reputation could be significantly damaged by adverse publicity relating to such a breach of laws or regulations and such damage could extend beyond a single geography.

Integration of acquisitions, restructuring and change management

        Integration of acquisitions and ongoing restructuring initiatives involve significant changes to our organisation. If we are unable to successfully implement these changes in a timely manner, we may not realise the expected benefits from the restructuring.

        Since September 2009, Unilever has announced €4.6 billion of acquisitions and our global and regional restructuring programmes will continue in 2011. In the event that we are unable to successfully implement these changes in a timely manner or at all, or effectively manage third-party relationships and/or outsourced processes, we may not be able to realise some or all of the anticipated expense reductions. In addition, because some of the restructuring changes involve important functions, any disruption could harm the operations of our business, our reputation and/or relationship with our employees.

Other risks

        Unilever is exposed to varying degrees of risk and uncertainty related to other factors including physical, environmental, political, social and terrorism risks within the environments in which we operate, failure to complete planned divestments, taxation risks, failure to resolve insurance matters within current estimates and changing priorities of our boards of directors. All these risks could materially affect the Group's business, our turnover, operating profits, net profits, net assets and liquidity. There may be risks which are unknown to Unilever or which are currently believed to be immaterial.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US

        Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference rooms at 100 F Street, N.E. Room 1580, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms.

        The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus supplement the information filed with or furnished to it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.

        The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement will automatically update and supersede this information. There are incorporated by reference the following documents and any future filings with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including any Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC which so provides, until we have sold all of the Notes (Unilever N.V.'s and Unilever PLC's file numbers with the SEC are No. 1-4547 and No. 1-4546, respectively):

        The Notes will be governed by the indenture dated as of August 1, 2000 between Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC, Unilever United States, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement (File No. 333-155427) of which this prospectus supplement forms a part and is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

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        You may request a paper copy of these filings at no cost, by writing, faxing or telephoning:

        Neither Unilever Capital Corporation nor Unilever United States, Inc. prepares annual or interim financial statements for public distribution.


EXCHANGE RATES

        The following table sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate in New York City for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (i) for pounds sterling (expressed in US$ per £1.00) and (ii) for euro (expressed in euro per US$1.00).

 
   
   
   
   
   
  Six
Months
Ended
June 30
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
  One month ended  
 
  Years Ended, December 31  
 
  Aug 31,
2010
  Sept 30,
2010
  Oct 31,
2010
  Nov 30,
2010
  Dec 31,
2010
  Jan 31,
2011(1)
 
 
  2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   2009   2010  

US$ per £1.00

                                                                               

Rate at period end

   
1.96
   
1.98
   
1.46
   
1.62
   
1.54
   
1.65
   
1.49
   
1.54
   
1.57
   
1.60
   
1.56
   
1.54
   
1.58
 

Average rate

    1.86     2.01     1.84     1.56     1.55     1.49     1.52     1.57     1.56     1.59     1.60     1.56     1.58  

High

    1.98     2.11     2.03     1.57     1.64     1.65     1.64     1.60     1.59     1.60     1.63     1.59     1.60  

Low

    1.73     1.92     1.44     1.37     1.43     1.37     1.43     1.54     1.53     1.57     1.56     1.54     1.55  

US$ per Euro 1.00

                                                                               

Rate at period end

   
1.32
   
1.46
   
1.39
   
1.43
   
1.33
   
1.40
   
1.23
   
1.27
   
1.36
   
1.39
   
1.30
   
1.33
   
1.36
 

Average rate

    1.26     1.37     1.47     1.39     1.33     1.33     1.33     1.29     1.31     1.39     1.37     1.32     1.34  

High

    1.33     1.49     1.60     1.51     1.45     1.42     1.45     1.33     1.36     1.41     1.42     1.34     1.37  

Low

    1.19     1.29     1.24     1.25     1.20     1.25     1.20     1.27     1.27     1.37     1.30     1.31     1.29  

On January 28, 2011, the exchange rates between euros and US dollars and between Sterling and US dollars were as follows: 1.58US$ = £1.00 and 1.36US$ = Euro 1.00

       

(1)
Through January 28, 2011.

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FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

        This prospectus supplement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'believes' or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Market conditions for our business were challenging in 2010 and we do not anticipate this changing significantly in 2011. Economic pressures are expected to continue to weigh heavily on consumer spending, particularly in developed markets where the combined impact of austerity measures and high unemployment is likely to constrain disposable incomes. In addition, there are many factors that could cause our results to differ from our expectations, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, economic slowdown, industry consolidation, access to credit markets, recruitment levels, reputational risks, commodity prices, continued availability of raw materials, prioritisation of projects, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, consumer demands, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Group's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the Annual Report and Accounts 2009. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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UNILEVER GROUP

UNILEVER N.V. AND UNILEVER PLC

History and Structure of Unilever

        Unilever N.V. ("N.V.") and Unilever PLC ("PLC") are the two parent companies of the Unilever Group. N.V. was incorporated under the name Naamlooze Vennootschap Margarine Unie in The Netherlands in 1927. PLC was incorporated under the name Lever Brothers Limited in England and Wales in 1894.

        Together with their respective group companies, N.V. and PLC operate effectively as a single economic entity. This is achieved by a series of agreements between N.V. and PLC (The Equalisation Agreement, The Deed of Mutual Covenants and The Agreement for Mutual Guarantees of Borrowing), together with special provisions in the Articles of Association of N.V. and PLC. N.V. and PLC have the same Directors, have the same Chairman and adopt the same accounting principles. Shareholders of both companies receive dividends on an equalised basis. N.V. and PLC and their group companies constitute a single reporting entity for the purposes of presenting consolidated accounts. Accordingly, the accounts of the Unilever Group are presented by both N.V. and PLC as their respective consolidated accounts.

        N.V. and PLC have agreed to co-operate in all areas and ensure that all group companies act accordingly. N.V. and PLC are holding and service companies, and the business activity of Unilever is carried out by their subsidiaries around the world. Shares in group companies may ultimately be held wholly by either N.V. or PLC, or jointly by the two companies, in varying proportions.

        The two companies have different shareholder constituencies and shareholders cannot convert or exchange the shares of one company for shares of the other. N.V. is listed in Amsterdam and New York. PLC is listed in London and New York.

BUSINESS OF THE UNILEVER GROUP

Description of Business

        Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods across foods and home and personal care categories.

Regions

        Three regions—Western Europe, the Americas and Asia Africa Central and Eastern Europe—are responsible for managing Unilever's business and local market operations in their regions. These regions have profit responsibility for the local go-to-market operations in their territory. The focus is primarily to build and develop relationships with customers, manage supply chain networks, and deploy brands and innovations effectively, focused on excellent execution in the marketplace. Their performance is measured in terms of in-year financial results, customer service levels, and market shares.

Global Category Organization

        We have a single global category organization covering all our brands across nutrition, hygiene and personal care. The global category aims to develop winning category and brand strategies, to create exciting new brand communication, product innovation and renovation, and provide strategic direction for the supply chain. The global category is responsible for medium-term value creation, as measured by market share, category growth, brand health and innovation metrics.

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Brands

        We manage our brands under the following category headings: savoury; dressings and spreads; ice cream and beverages; personal care and house care.

        Within these groups, we also include sales of our Foodsolutions business, which is a global food service business providing solutions for professional chefs and caterers.

        In Personal Care, six global brands are the core of our business in the mass skin care, daily hair care and deodorants product areas—Dove, Lux, Rexona (including Sure and Degree), Sunsilk (including Seda/Sedal), Axe and Pond's. Other important brands include Suave, Clear, Lifebuoy and Vaseline, together with Signal and Close Up in oral care. Radox, Duschdas and Neutral are additional key personal care brands acquired at the end of 2010.

        Our Home Care ranges include laundry products (outside of North America), such as tablets, traditional powders and liquids for washing of clothing by hand or machine. Tailored products including soap bars are available for lower-income consumers. Our brands include Omo ("Dirt is Good" platform), Comfort, Radiant and Skip. Our household care products include surface cleaners and bleach, sold under the Cif, Domestos and Sun/Sunlight brands.

LITIGATION UPDATE

Competition Investigations

        As previously reported, in June 2008 the European Commission initiated an investigation into potential competition law infringements in the European Union in relation to consumer detergents. While the investigation is ongoing, Unilever has concluded that it is now appropriate to take a provision of €110 million.

        In addition and as previously reported, Unilever is involved in a number of other ongoing investigations by national competition authorities in a number of European countries including Greece, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. These investigations are at various stages and concern a variety of product markets. Provisions have been made to the extent appropriate.

        It is Unilever's policy to co-operate fully with the competition authorities in the context of all ongoing investigations. In addition, Unilever reinforces and enhances its internal competition law compliance procedures on an ongoing basis.

Tax cases Brazil

        During 2004 in Brazil, and in common with many other businesses operating in that country, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries received a notice of infringement from the Federal Revenue Service. The notice alleges that a 2001 reorganisation of our local corporate structure was undertaken without valid business purpose. The dispute is in court and if upheld, will result in a tax payment relating to years

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from 2001 to the present day. The 2001 reorganisation was comparable with restructurings done by many companies in Brazil. We believe that the likelihood of a successful challenge by the tax authorities is remote, however, there can be no guarantee of success in court.


Unilever Capital Corporation

        Unilever Capital Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 7, 1982 for the sole purpose of issuing and selling debt securities and making the net proceeds of such issues available to companies in the Unilever Group. All of the common stock of Unilever Capital Corporation is owned by Unilever United States, Inc. Its registered office is at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Its principal place of business is at 800 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632.


Unilever United States, Inc.

        Unilever United States, Inc. ("Unilever U.S.") was incorporated in 1977 in the State of Delaware. All of the common stock of Unilever U.S. is wholly owned indirectly by Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Its registered office is at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 and its principal place of business is at 800 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. Unilever U.S.'s principal operating subsidiary is Conopco, Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as Unilever.

        Unilever U.S. supplies fast moving consumer goods across the foods and home and personal care product categories. Its key brands include such recognized names as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli (other than olive oil), Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave and Vaseline.

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CAPITALIZATION

Capitalization of Unilever

        As explained above in the section "Unilever Group—History and Structure," Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC operate as nearly as is practicable as a single entity with the position of the shareholders of both companies being, as nearly as possible, the same as if they held shares in a single company. Accordingly, the following table sets forth our consolidated cash and capitalization for Unilever at December 31, 2010 on a historical basis and as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the use of net proceeds therefrom. The information in this table has been derived from, and the table should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed consolidated interim accounts of the Unilever Group for the year ended December 31, 2010 and other financial data included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. All information is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Please see "Use of Proceeds."

 
  As of December 31, 2010  
 
  Historical   As adjusted  
 
  (€ millions)   (US$ millions)(2)   (€ millions)   (US$ millions)(2)  

Cash and cash equivalents

    2,316     3,080     3,444     4,580  

Short-term borrowings

    1,978     2,631     1,978     2,631  

Long-term borrowings

    6,955     9,250     8,083     10,750  

Total borrowings(1)

    8,933     11,881     10,061     13,381  

Total Shareholders' equity

    14,485     19,265     14,485     19,265  

Total capitalization

    23,418     31,146     24,546     32,646  

(1)
Total borrowings excludes total finance lease creditors of €208 million at December 31, 2010

(2)
Translations into U.S. dollars are for convenience only and are computed at the Noon Buying Rate on December 31, 2010 of US$1.33 per euro.

        There has been no other material change in the consolidated capitalization of Unilever N.V. or Unilever PLC since December 31, 2010 except as disclosed above.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Our net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $             million. Our "net proceeds" are the amounts we will receive from the sale of the Notes after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and other offering expenses we will pay. We plan to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Financial record under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")

 
  Year ended  
 
  December 31,
2010
(unaudited)
  December 31,
2009
 
 
  € million
  € million
 

Consolidated Income Statement

             

Continuing Operations:

             
 

Turnover

    44,262     39,823  
 

Net profit from continuing operations

    4,698     3,659  

Total Operations:

             

Basic earnings per share

    1.51   1.21  

Diluted earnings per share

    1.46   1.17  

             

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (times)(a)

    10.7     8.8  
           

 

 
  December 31,
2010
(unaudited)
  December 31,
2009
 
 
  € millions
  € millions
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

             

Total assets

   
41,167
   
37,016
 

Total assets less total liabilities (net assets)

    15,078     12,536  

(a)
In the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net profit from continuing operations excluding net profit or loss of joint ventures and associates increased by fixed charges, income taxes and dividends received from joint ventures and associates. Fixed charges consist of interest payable on debt and a portion of lease costs determined to be representative of interest. This ratio takes no account of interest receivable although Unilever's treasury operations involve both borrowing and depositing funds.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

        The following description of the particular terms of the Notes offered hereby supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the general terms and provision of the guaranteed debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made. We urge you to read the indenture and related form of notes before making your investment decision. Those documents govern your rights as a holder of Notes. See "Where You Can Find More Information About Us."


Brief Description of the Notes and Guarantees

        The Notes of each series will be unsecured obligations of Unilever Capital Corporation and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Unilever Capital Corporation.

        The payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally by Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S.

        No sinking fund has been provided for the Notes.

        See "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees" beginning on page 5 in the accompanying prospectus.


Principal, Maturity and Interest

        The 2016 Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $            and the 2021 Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $              . Unless otherwise redeemed, the 2016 Notes will mature on            , 2016 and the 2021 Notes will mature on            , 2021 (the Stated Maturity). The 2016 Notes will bear interest at the rate of        % per annum, and the 2021 Notes will bear interest at the rate of        % per annum, each from            , 2011 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semi-annually on            and            of each year, commencing            , 2011 to the persons in whose name the Notes are registered at the close of business on the related record date,             or            , as the case may be, next preceding such interest payment date.


Further Issues

        Unilever Capital Corporation may from time to time, without notice to, or the consent of, the registered holders of the Notes, create and issue further securities equal in rank to the Notes of either series in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the further notes). The further notes of either series may be consolidated and form a single series with the original Notes of that series and have the same term as to status, redemption or otherwise as the original series of Notes.


Redemption

        Unilever Capital Corporation may, at its option, redeem the Notes of either series in whole at any time or in part from time to time. The redemption price for any Note so redeemed shall equal any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, plus the greater of (a) the principal amount thereof or (b) an amount equal to the Discounted Remaining Payments. For purposes of this redemption provision, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

        "Discounted Remaining Payments" means an amount equal to the sum of the Current Values of the amounts of interest and principal that would have been payable by Unilever Capital Corporation pursuant to the terms of the Notes on each interest payment date after the redemption date and at

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Stated Maturity of the final payment of principal thereof (assuming that Unilever Capital Corporation had not redeemed such Notes prior to such Stated Maturity).

        "Current Value" means, in respect of any amount, the present value of that amount on the redemption date after discounting that amount on a semi-annual basis from the originally scheduled date for payment on the basis of the Treasury Rate plus    basis points in the case of the 2016 Notes and    basis points in the case of the 2021 Notes.

        "Treasury Rate" means a per annum rate (expressed as a decimal and, in the case of United States Treasury bills, converted to a per annum yield) determined on the redemption date to be the per annum rate equal to the semi-annual bond equivalent yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities maturing at the Stated Maturity of the final payment of principal of the Notes redeemed pursuant to the provisions described above, as determined by reference to the weekly average yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities maturing on such Stated Maturity as reported in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

        The Notes of either series are also redeemable at the option of Unilever Capital Corporation, in whole but not in part, at any time at the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date in the event of certain changes in the tax laws of the United States, the United Kingdom or The Netherlands after the date of this prospectus supplement (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date). See "Description of the Debt Securities—Optional Tax Redemption" in the prospectus.

        Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at his address appearing in the security register relating to the Notes. Unless Unilever Capital Corporation defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on such Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

        Unless otherwise redeemed, the Notes of each series will mature at par on their Stated Maturity.


Notes in Global Form

        The Notes will be represented by one or more global notes that will be deposited with and registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) or its nominee. Unilever Capital Corporation will not issue certificated Notes, except in the limited circumstances described below.

Book Entry Procedures for the Global Notes

        Each global note will be issued to DTC, which will keep a computerized record of its participants whose clients have purchased the Notes. Each participant will then keep a record of its own clients. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated note, a global note may not be transferred. DTC, its nominees and their successors may, however, transfer a global note as a whole to one another, and these transfers are required to be recorded on our records or a register to be maintained by the trustee. Beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in the global note will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

The Depository Trust Company

        DTC is:

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        DTC holds securities that its direct participants deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlements among direct participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for direct participants' accounts. This book-entry system eliminates the need to exchange certificated securities. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.

        DTC's book-entry system is also used by other organizations such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that work through a direct participant. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

Ownership of Notes through DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear

        When you purchase Notes through the DTC system, the purchases must be made by or through a direct participant, which will receive credit for the Notes on DTC's records. When you actually purchase the Notes, you will become their beneficial owner. Your ownership interest will be recorded only on the direct or indirect participants' records. DTC will have no knowledge of your individual ownership of the Notes. DTC's records will show only the identity of the direct participants and the principal amount of the Notes held by or through them. You will not receive a written confirmation of your purchase or sale or any periodic account statement directly from DTC. You should instead receive these from your direct or indirect participant. As a result, the direct or indirect participants are responsible for keeping accurate account of the holdings of their customers. We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the global note desires to take any actions that DTC, as the holder of the global note, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

        No beneficial owner of an interest in the global note will be able to transfer the interest except in accordance with DTC's applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indenture and, if applicable, those of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking S.A. The trustee will wire payments on the Notes to DTC's nominee. We and the trustee will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of each global note for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on a global note to you or any other beneficial owners in that global note.

        It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment of distributions or liquidation amounts, to proportionately credit direct participants' accounts on the payment date based on their holdings. In addition, it is DTC's current practice to pass through any consenting or voting rights to such participants by using an omnibus proxy. Those participants will, in turn, make payments to and solicit votes from you, the ultimate owner of the Notes, based on their customary practices. Payments to you will be the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us.

        Links have been established among DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, which are two European book-entry depositories similar to DTC, to facilitate the cross-market transfers of the Notes associated with secondary market trading. Noteholders may hold their Notes through the accounts maintained by Euroclear or Clearstream in DTC only if they are participants of those systems, or indirectly through

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organizations which are participants in those systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold omnibus book-entry positions on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Euroclear's and Clearstream's names on the books of their respective depositaries which in turn will hold such positions in customers' securities accounts in the names of the nominees of the depositaries on the books of DTC. All securities in Euroclear and Clearstream are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.

        Transfers of Notes by persons holding through Euroclear or Clearstream participants will be effected through DTC, in accordance with DTC rules, on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its depositaries; however, such transactions will require delivery of exercise instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the participant in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the exercise meets its requirements, deliver instructions to its depositaries to take action to effect exercise of the Notes on its behalf by delivering Notes through DTC and receiving payment in accordance with its normal procedures for next-day funds settlement. Payments with respect to the Notes held through Euroclear or Clearstream will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants in accordance with the relevant systems' rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositaries.

        All information in this prospectus supplement on DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream is derived from DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, and reflects the policies of such organizations. These organizations may change these policies without notice.

Definitive Notes

        Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for the global notes, except in very limited circumstances. If DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with the global notes or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by us within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by such global notes upon delivery of such global notes for cancellation.

        Payments on any definitive Notes will be made by the trustee directly to holders of such definitive Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth herein and in the indenture. Interest payments and any principal payments on the definitive Notes on each interest payment date will be made to holders in whose names the definitive Notes were registered at the close of business on the related record date as set forth under "Principal, Maturity and Interest." Payments will be made by check, mailed to the address of such holders as they appear on the Note register and, in addition, under the circumstances provided by the indenture, by wire transfer to a bank or depository institution located in the United States and appropriate facilities thereof. The final payment of principal and interest on any definitive Notes, however, will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such definitive Notes at the office of the paying agent for the Notes.

        A definitive Note may be transferred free of charge in whole or in part upon the surrender of the definitive Note to be transferred, together with the completed and executed assignment that appears on the reverse of the definitive Note, at the specified office of any transfer agent. In the case of a permitted transfer of any part of a Note, a new Note in respect of the balance not transferred will be issued to the transferor. Each new definitive Note to be issued upon the transfer of a definitive Note will, upon the effective receipt of such completed assignment by a transfer agent at its respective specified office, be available for delivery at such specified office, or at the request of the holder requesting such transfer, will be mailed at the risk of the transferee entitled to the new definitive Note

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to such address as may be specified in such completed assignment. Neither the registrar nor any transfer agent shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any definitive Notes within 15 days before the Notes are to be selected for redemption.


Paying Agent

        Payments and transfers of the Notes will be made at the respective offices of the paying and transfer agents in New York City.


Notices

        Notices to holders of the Notes will be sent by mail to the registered holders and will be published, whether the Notes are in global or definitive form. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.


Replacement Securities

        In case of mutilation, destruction, loss or theft of any definitive Note, application for replacement is to be made at the office of the trustee. Any such definitive Note will be replaced by the trustee in compliance with such procedures, and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity, as Unilever Capital Corporation and the trustee may require and subject to applicable laws. All costs incurred in connection with the replacement of any definitive Note will be borne by the holder of the Note. Mutilated or defaced definitive Notes must be surrendered before new ones will be issued.


Payment of Additional Amounts

        If any deduction or withholding for any present or future taxes, assessments or other governmental charges of the United Kingdom, The Netherlands or the United States shall at any time be required, Unilever Capital Corporation and the guarantors have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to pay Additional Amounts as described under "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts" in the accompanying prospectus.


TAXATION

Federal Taxation in the United States

        This section summarizes the material U.S. tax consequences to holders of Notes. It represents the views of our tax counsel, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. However, the discussion is limited in the following ways:

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        If you are considering buying Notes, we suggest that you consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of holding the Notes in your particular situation.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

        This section applies to you if you are a U.S. holder. A "U.S. holder" is:

        This summary does not address holders of equity interests in a U.S. holder. If a partnership holds Notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding Notes, we suggest that you consult your tax advisor.

        Interest.    If you are a cash method taxpayer (including most individual holders), you must report interest on the Notes in your income when you receive it. If you are an accrual method taxpayer, you must report interest on the Notes in your income as it accrues.

        Sale or Retirement of Notes.    On your sale or retirement of your Note:

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        Payments by Guarantors    A payment on a Note made by a guarantor will be treated in the same manner as if made directly by us.

        Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    Under the tax rules concerning information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"):

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

        This section applies to you if you are a non-U.S. holder. A "non-U.S. holder" is a person or entity that is not a U.S. holder.

        Withholding Taxes.    Generally, payments of principal and interest on the Notes will not be subject to U.S. withholding taxes. The same rules will apply to payments of Additional Amounts and payments made by a guarantor on a Note.

        However, for the exemption from withholding taxes to apply to you, you must meet one of the following requirements:

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        Even if you meet one of the above requirements, interest paid to you will be subject to withholding tax under any of the following circumstances:

        Interest payments made to you will generally be reported to the IRS and to you on IRS Form 1042-S. However, this reporting does not apply to you if you hold your Notes directly through a qualified intermediary and the applicable procedures are complied with.

        The rules regarding withholding are complex and vary depending on your individual situation. They are also subject to change. In addition, special rules apply to certain types of non-U.S. holders of Notes, including partnerships, trusts, and other entities treated as pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We suggest that you consult with your tax advisor regarding the specific methods for satisfying these requirements.

        Sale or Retirement of Notes.    If you sell a Note or it is retired, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain unless one of the following applies:

        U.S. Trade or Business.    If you hold your Note in connection with a trade or business that you are conducting in the United States:

        Estate Taxes.    If you are an individual, your Notes will not be subject to U.S. estate tax when you die. However, this rule only applies if, at your death, payments on the Notes were not connected to a trade or business that you were conducting in the United States and you did not actually or

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constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of the voting stock of Unilever Capital Corporation.

        Information Reporting and Backup Withholding    U.S. rules concerning information reporting and backup withholding are described above. These rules apply to non-U.S. holders as follows:


Taxation in the Netherlands

        Any payments made under the Notes issued by Unilever Capital Corporation and guaranteed by amongst others Unilever N.V. will not be subject to withholding or deduction for, or on account of taxes of whatsoever nature imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by the Netherlands or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein.


Taxation in the United Kingdom

        Unilever PLC's English solicitors, Slaughter and May, have opined that under United Kingdom law and practice, as in effect on the date of this prospectus supplement, Unilever PLC would not be required to deduct or withhold any taxes, levies, imposts or other charges from any payment due or to become due in respect of the Notes and the guarantees by Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or Unilever U.S, as the case may be.


EC Council Directive

        Under EC Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income, Member States are required to provide to the tax authorities of another Member State details of payments of interest (or similar income) paid by a person within its jurisdiction to an individual resident in that other Member State or to certain limited types of entities established in that other Member State. However, for a transitional period, Luxembourg and Austria are instead required (unless during that period they elect otherwise) to operate a withholding system in relation to such payments (the ending of such transitional period being dependent upon the conclusion of certain other agreements relating to information exchange with certain other countries). A number of non-EU countries and territories including Switzerland have adopted similar measures (a withholding system in the case of Switzerland). The European Commission has proposed certain amendments to the Directive, which may, if implemented, amend or broaden the scope of the requirements described above.

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UNDERWRITING

        Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC are acting as joint bookrunning managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below (the "Underwriters").

        Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each Underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and Unilever Capital Corporation has agreed to sell to that Underwriter, the principal amount of Notes set forth opposite the Underwriter's name.

Underwriter
  Principal Amount of
2016 Notes
  Principal Amount of
2021 Notes
 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. 

  $     $    

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

             

UBS Securities LLC

             
 

Total

  $     $    
           

        The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Notes are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to purchase all the Notes if they purchase any of the Notes.

        Unilever Capital Corporation estimates that its total expenses for this offering will be US$                . The Underwriters have agreed to reimburse expenses and certain related amounts payable by Unilever Capital Corporation in connection with this offering in the amount of US$                .

        Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever United States, Inc. have agreed jointly and severally to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

Commissions and Discounts

        The Underwriters propose to offer some of the Notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the Notes to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed            % of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes or            % of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow a concession not to exceed            % of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes or            % of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes on sales to other dealers. After the initial offering of the Notes to the public, the representatives may change the public offering price and concessions.

        The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that Unilever Capital Corporation is to pay to the Underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes).

 
  Paid by Unilever
Capital Corporation
 

Per 2016 Note

      %

Per 2021 Note

      %

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

        In connection with the offering, the representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering

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transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of Notes in excess of the principal amount of Notes to be purchased by the Underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the Notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of Notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes while the offering is in progress.

        Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes. They may also cause the price of the Notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The Underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the Underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

Other Relationships

        The Underwriters have performed corporate banking, investment banking and advisory services for the Unilever Group from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The Underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Unilever Group in the ordinary course of their business. In addition, affiliates of the Underwriters have from time to time provided credit and entered into lending transactions with the Unilever Group for which they have received customary fees and expenses and may, from time to time, do so in the ordinary course of their business.


Selling Restrictions

        Each of the Underwriters will not offer, sell or deliver any of the Notes directly or indirectly, or distribute this prospectus supplement or the prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Notes, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof and will not impose any obligations on the Company except as set forth in the underwriting agreement.

European Economic Area

        In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "Relevant Member State"), an offer of Notes that are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement to the public may not be made in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that an offer of Notes to the public in that Relevant Member State may be made at any time under the following exceptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

        (a)   to legal entities which are qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Directive;

        (b)   to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant underwriter or underwriters for any such offer; or

        (c)   in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of the Notes referred to in (a) through (c) above shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

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        For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any Notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe to the Notes, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State. For the purposes of this provision, the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including that Directive as amended by the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State in question), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State in question, and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.

United Kingdom

        This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling with Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The Notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person must not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Hong Kong

        The Notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent, or in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

        The Notes offered by this prospectus have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended; the "FIEA"). The Notes offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (as defined under Item 5, Paragraph 1, Article 6 of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Act No. 228 of 1949, as amended)), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

        This prospectus supplement has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Notes will be offered pursuant to exemptions under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"). Accordingly, each Underwriter will not offer or sell any Notes or cause the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and will not circulate or distribute this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes,

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Table of Contents


whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person under Section 275(1) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person that is:

        (a)   a corporation (that is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

        (b)   a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes under Section 275 of the SFA except:


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the Notes offered in this prospectus supplement, as well as certain other legal matters, will be passed upon for Unilever by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP will rely on Slaughter and May, solicitors for Unilever PLC, with respect to all matters of English law. De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek London B.V. will pass upon certain matters of Dutch law. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Allen & Overy LLP, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in management's report on internal control over financial reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V., and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firms, given on the authority of said firms as experts in auditing and accounting.

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PROSPECTUS

Unilever N.V.
Unilever Capital Corporation

Guaranteed Debt Securities

Payment of Principal, Premium, if any,
and Interest, if any, Guaranteed Jointly, Severally, Fully
and Unconditionally by

Unilever United States, Inc.,
Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC



        From time to time, we may sell guaranteed debt securities on terms we will determine at the times we sell the guaranteed debt securities. When we decide to sell a particular series of guaranteed debt securities, we will prepare and deliver a supplement to this prospectus describing the particular terms of the guaranteed debt securities we are offering. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to the guaranteed debt securities will be guaranteed by Unilever United States, Inc., and either or both of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC (depending on whether Unilever N.V. is the issuer of a particular series of debt securities). At the option of Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, any series of the guaranteed debt securities and the guarantees on such series may be subordinated to all Senior Debt of the issuer and guarantors of such series and/or may be convertible into Ordinary Shares, par value €0.16 per share, of Unilever N.V.

        We may sell the guaranteed debt securities directly, through agents, through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of such methods. If we elect to use agents, underwriters or dealers in any offering of guaranteed debt securities, we will disclose their names and the nature of our arrangements with them in the prospectus supplement we prepare for such offering. Our net proceeds from such sale will also be set forth in the prospectus supplement we prepare for such offering.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus is November 18, 2008.


        Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and their group companies are together referred to in this prospectus as "Unilever", the "Unilever Group" or the "Group". For such purposes "group companies" means, in relation to Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, those companies required to be consolidated in accordance with Netherlands and United Kingdom legislative requirements relating to consolidated accounts. Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and their group companies together constitute a single group for the purpose of meeting those requirements.

        In this prospectus references to "U.S.$", "U.S. Dollars" and "United States Dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States of America, references to "£" and "pounds sterling" are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom, references to "€" and "euro" are to the lawful currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union (the "Treaty").


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Enforcement of Civil Liabilities Against Foreign Persons

    i  

Where You Can Find More Information About Us

    1  

Unilever Group

    2  

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    4  

Use of Proceeds

    4  

Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees

    5  

Plan of Distribution

    16  

Legal Matters

    17  

Experts

    17  


ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
AGAINST FOREIGN PERSONS

        Unilever N.V. is a Netherlands corporation and Unilever PLC is a company incorporated under the laws of and registered in England and Wales. Most of the directors of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and certain of the experts named in this Prospectus are residents of The Netherlands or the United Kingdom or other countries and all or a substantial portion of their respective assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or such persons with respect to matters arising under the Federal securities laws or to enforce against them judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liability under the Federal securities laws. Unilever N.V. has been advised by its Dutch counsel, its Group Secretary, that there is doubt as to the enforceability in The Netherlands, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon the Federal securities laws. Unilever PLC has been advised by its English counsel, its General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, that there is doubt as to the enforceability in the United Kingdom, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon the Federal securities laws. Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC have consented to service of process in New York City for claims based upon the Indenture, the debt securities and the guarantees described under "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees."

i



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT US

        Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N. E., Washington, D.C., 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuer that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including any Form 6-K we furnish to the SEC which so provides, until our offering is completed (Unilever N.V.'s and Unilever PLC's file numbers with the SEC are 1-4547 and 1-4546 respectively).

        You may request a paper copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

Vice President-Finance
Unilever United States, Inc.
800 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632
(201) 894-2829

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UNILEVER GROUP

UNILEVER N.V. AND UNILEVER PLC

UNILEVER N.V. AND UNILEVER PLC

        Unilever N.V. ("N.V.") and Unilever PLC ("PLC") are the two parent companies of the Unilever Group of companies. N.V. was incorporated under the name Naamlooze Vennootschap Margarine Unie in The Netherlands in 1927. PLC was incorporated under the name Lever Brothers Limited in England and Wales in 1894.

        Together with their group companies, N.V. and PLC operate effectively as a single economic entity. This is achieved by a series of agreements between N.V. and PLC (The Equalisation Agreement, The Deed of Mutual Covenants and The Agreement for Mutual Guarantees of Borrowing), together with special provisions in the Articles of Association of N.V. and PLC. N.V. and PLC have the same Directors, have the same Chairman and adopt the same accounting principles. Shareholders of both companies receive dividends on an equalised basis. N.V. and PLC and their group companies constitute a single reporting entity for the purposes of presenting consolidated accounts. Accordingly, the acounts of the Unilever Group are presented by both N.V. and PLC as their respective consolidated accounts.

        N.V. and PLC have agreed to cooperate in all areas and ensure that all group companies act accordingly. N.V. and PLC are holding and service companies, and the business activity of Unilever is carried out by their subsidiaries around the world. Shares in group companies may ultimately be held wholly by either N.V. or PLC, or jointly by the two companies, in varying proportions.

        The two companies have different shareholder constituencies and shareholders cannot convert or exchange the shares of one company for shares of the other. N.V is listed in Amsterdam and New York. PLC is listed in London and New York.

BUSINESS OF THE UNILEVER GROUP

        Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods across foods and home and personal care categories.

        Three regions—Western Europe, the Americas and Asia Africa—are responsible for managing Unilever's business and local market operations in their regions. They are primarily responsible for building relationships with customers, managing supply chain networks, and deploying brands and innovations effectively, focused on excellent execution in the marketplace. The regions are accountable for the delivery of in-year financial results including growth, profits and cash flow, and in-year development of market shares.

        The Europe region includes our operations in Western Europe and in Central and Eastern Europe, and in 2007 accounted for approximately 38 percent of turnover. The Americas region includes our operations in North America and Latin America and represented around 33 percent of turnover. The Asia Africa region accounted for 29 percent of turnover, and includes our operations in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, North East Asia and Australasia.

        During 2008, changes are being made to the regional structure to manage Central and Eastern Europe as part of the Asia Africa region, further concentrating our focus on emerging markets. These changes will be effective from January 1, 2009.

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        The category team—Foods and Home and Personal Care—is responsible for the development of category and brand strategies, the development of brand communication, and the delivery of relevant innovation. The category also leads the strategic direction of the supply chain and is accountable for long-term value creation in the business, as measured by longer term market share development, category growth, innovation metrics and brand health.

        Our Foods brands are managed in two main groups:

        Within these groups, we also include sales of our Foodsolutions business, which is a global food service business providing solutions for professional chefs and caterers.

        In Personal Care, six global brands are the core of our business in the mass skin care, daily hair care and deodorants product areas—Dove, Lux, Rexona (including Sure and Degree), Sunsilk (including Seda/Sedal), Axe and Pond's. Other important brands include Suave, Clear, Lifebuoy and Vaseline, together with Signal and Close Up in oral care.

        Our Home Care ranges include laundry products (outside of North America), such as tablets, traditional powders and liquids for washing of clothing by hand or machine. Tailored products including soap bars are available for lower-income consumers. Our brands include Omo ("Dirt is Good" platform), Comfort, Radiant and Skip. Our household care products include surface cleaners and bleach, sold under the Cif, Domestos and Sun/Sunlight brands.


UNILEVER CAPITAL CORPORATION

        Unilever Capital Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 7, 1982 for the sole purpose of issuing and selling debt securities and making the net proceeds of such issues available to companies in the Unilever Group. All the common stock of Unilever Capital Corporation is owned by Unilever U.S. Its registered office is at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Its principal place of business is at 700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632.

        The Directors of Unilever Capital Corporation are:

Neal Vorchheimer   President
Ronald Soiefer   Vice President and Secretary
David Schwartz   Vice President and Secretary

3


        The business address of all Directors is 700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. Messrs. Vorchheimer, Soiefer and Schwartz are full-time employees within the Unilever Group.

        Unilever Capital Corporation has no subsidiaries.


UNILEVER UNITED STATES, INC.

        Unilever United States, Inc. ("Unilever U.S.") was incorporated in 1977 in the State of Delaware. All of the common stock of Unilever U.S. is jointly owned indirectly by Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Its registered office is at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 and its principal place of business is at 700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. Unilever U.S.'s principal operating subsidiary is Conopco, Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as Unilever.

        Unilever U.S. supplies fast-moving consumer goods across the foods and home and personal care product categories. Its key brands include such recognized names as Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline.

        The Directors of Unilever U.S. are:

Michael Polk   Chairman
John C. Bird   Senior Vice President

        The business address of all Directors is 700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632, Messrs. Polk and Bird are full-time employees within the Unilever Group.


RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The combined ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the Unilever Group for the periods shown are as follows. Such ratios have been calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU) and in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board.

Year Ended December 31  
2004
  2005   2006   2007  
  5.1     6.5     7.5     8.3  


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the guaranteed debt securities for general purposes of the Unilever Group, including acquisitions and to meet maturities of outstanding borrowings. The guaranteed debt securities will be offered pursuant to the Unilever Group's policy of diversifying the sources of international capital available to it and the maturities of such capital.

4



DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

        The guaranteed debt securities will be issued by either Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, under an indenture (the "Indenture") between Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC, Unilever U.S., and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee. The Indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. We have summarized selected provisions of the Indenture and the guaranteed debt securities below. This summary is not complete. We have filed the form of the Indenture with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and you should read the Indenture for provisions that may be important to you.

General

        The guaranteed debt securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise. The guarantees of Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S., as the case may be, will rank equally with all unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S., as the case may be, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise.

        The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

        Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the principal of and the premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, registered guaranteed debt securities will be payable and such guaranteed debt securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office in New York City of the Trustee, provided that payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register. In the case of bearer guaranteed debt securities, principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable at such place or places outside

5



the United States designated in the related prospectus supplement. The guarantees are joint, several, full and unconditional.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement, we will issue the guaranteed debt securities only in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the guaranteed debt securities, but Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

        We may sell the guaranteed debt securities at a discount (which may be substantial) below their stated principal amount. The guaranteed debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates.

        If we sell any of the guaranteed debt securities for any foreign currency or currency unit or if payments on the guaranteed debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, we will describe in the prospectus supplement the restrictions, elections, specific terms and other information relating to those guaranteed debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

Guarantees

        If Unilever Capital Corporation issues the guaranteed debt securities, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S. will jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, and the due and punctual payment of the sinking fund or analogous payments, if any, with respect to the guaranteed debt securities when and as they shall become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise. If Unilever N.V. issues the guaranteed debt securities, Unilever U.S. and Unilever PLC will act as guarantors on the same terms.

Payment of Additional Amounts

        If any deduction or withholding for any present or future taxes, assessments or other governmental charges of the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, or (if the prospectus supplement so states) the United States, including any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in any such jurisdiction (respectively, a "United Kingdom Tax", a "Netherlands Tax", or a "United States Tax") shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by the issuer or a guarantor pursuant to the terms of the debt securities, the issuer or the guarantor will pay as additional interest to the holder of a debt security (or to the holder of any coupon appertaining thereto) such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of such guaranteed debt security or such guarantee, after such deduction or withholding, shall be not less than such amounts as would have been received by the holder had no such withholding or deduction been required; provided, however, that (a) amounts with respect to United Kingdom Tax shall be payable only to holders that are not resident in the United Kingdom for purposes of its tax, (b) amounts with respect to Netherlands Tax shall be payable only to holders that are not resident in The Netherlands for purposes of its tax, and (c) amounts with respect to United States Tax shall be payable only to a holder that is, for United States tax purposes, a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or an estate or trust not subject to tax on a net income basis with respect to income on the debt securities (a "United States Alien"), and provided further, that the issuer or guarantor shall not be required to make any payment of Additional Amounts for or on account of:

6


nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or any interest on any debt security or coupon to any such holder who is a fiduciary or a partnership or a beneficial owner who is other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the holder of the debt security or coupon.

Redemption of Debt Securities Under Certain Circumstances

        The issuer, and any guarantor, may redeem each series of guaranteed debt securities in whole but not in part at any time (except in the case of guaranteed debt securities that have a variable rate of

7



interest, which may be redeemed on any interest payment date), on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice of such redemption, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption (except in the case of discounted debt securities which may be redeemed at the redemption price specified by the terms of each series of such debt securities), if,

        Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this provision, the issuer or the applicable guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee (i) a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, or the applicable guarantor stating that it is entitled to effect a redemption described in clause (i) of the preceding paragraph and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent of the right so to redeem have occurred or (ii) an opinion of independent legal counsel of recognized standing to the effect that the conditions specified in clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph have been satisfied. Such notice, once delivered to the Trustee, will be irrevocable.

8


Limitation on Liens

        The Indenture provides that Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC will not, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined below) to, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for money borrowed ("debt") secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or other encumbrance (a "mortgage" or "mortgages") on any Principal Property (as defined below) or upon any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired) without in any such case effectively providing concurrently with the issuance, assumption or guarantee of any debt that the guarantees shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) the debt. These restrictions, however, shall not apply to debt secured by (and there shall be excluded from debt in any computation under this limitation):

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC may, and they may permit a Restricted Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee debt secured by mortgages not excepted in the foregoing clauses (i) through (x) inclusive without equally and ratably securing the guarantees; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of all such debt then outstanding, plus the principal amount of such debt then being issued, assumed or guaranteed, and the aggregate amount of the Attributable Debt in (as defined below) respect of sale and leaseback transactions (with the exception of Attributable Debt which is excluded pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) inclusive described under "Limitations on Sales and Leasebacks" below), shall not exceed 10% of Capital Employed (as defined below).

9


Limitations on Sales and Leasebacks

        The Indenture provides that Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any person for the leasing by Unilever N.V. or Unilever PLC or a Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property, the acquisition or the completion of construction and commencement of full operation, whichever is later, of which has occurred more than 120 days prior thereto, which Principal Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by Unilever N.V. or Unilever PLC or such Restricted Subsidiary to that person in contemplation of such leasing unless, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to all such transactions plus all debt secured by mortgages on Principal Properties (with the exception of debt which is excluded pursuant to clauses (i) through (xi) inclusive described under "Limitation on Liens" above) would not exceed 10% of Capital Employed. This covenant shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Attributable Debt in any computation under such restriction or under "Limitation on Liens" above, Attributable Debt with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction if:

Subordination of Debt Securities

        The prospectus supplement for any applicable series of guaranteed debt securities will provide that the guaranteed debt securities of such series will be expressly subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (as defined below) of the issuer of such series (whether Unilever N.V. or Unilever Capital Corporation), and the obligations of each guarantor of such series evidenced by the guarantees will be expressly subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of the guarantor.

        In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of any Senior Debt of the issuer continuing beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument evidencing such Senior Debt (unless and until such event shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist), no payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest if any, on the subordinated debt securities or sums payable with respect to the conversion, if applicable, of such subordinated debt securities may be made by the issuer pursuant to the subordinated debt securities.

        In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of any Senior Debt of any guarantor continuing beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument evidencing such Senior Debt (unless and until such event shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist), no payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the subordinated debt

10



securities or sums payable with respect to the conversion, if applicable, of such subordinated debt securities may be made by the guarantor pursuant to its guarantee with respect thereto.

        Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the issuer (Unilever N.V. or Unilever Capital Corporation, as applicable) or the assets of any guarantor to creditors upon dissolution or winding-up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings for the issuer or the guarantor, the holders of our Senior Debt or the Senior Debt of the guarantor, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon before any payment is made by us or the guarantor, as the case may be, on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the subordinated debt securities or sums payable with respect to the conversion, if applicable, of such subordinated debt securities.

        By reason of such subordination, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer (Unilever N.V. or Unilever Capital Corporation, as applicable) or any guarantor, holders of the subordinated debt securities may recover less, ratably, and holders of Senior Debt may recover more, ratably, than other of our creditors or creditors of any guarantor.

        The term "Senior Debt," when used with reference to us or any guarantor, will be defined in the Indenture to mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, which is due and payable on:

        The Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Debt which the issuer (Unilever N.V. or Unilever Capital Corporation, as applicable) may issue, or that may be issued by either issuer or any guarantor.

11


Conversion

        The prospectus supplement for each series of guaranteed debt securities will provide whether the securities are convertible and, if so, the conversion price and terms.

Glossary

        "Attributable Debt" means, as to any particular lease under which Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or any Restricted Subsidiary is at any time liable as lessee and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended) discounted as provided in the Indenture.

        "Capital Employed" means the combined capital and reserves, outside interests in group companies, creditors due after more than one year and provisions for liabilities and charges, as shown on our combined consolidated balance sheet as published in the most recent Annual Accounts of Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V. (as defined in the Indenture).

        "Principal Property" means any manufacturing or processing plant or warehouse located in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, owned or leased by Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than (i) any such property which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and their Subsidiaries and associated companies, or (ii) any portion of such property which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, is not of material importance to the use or operation of such property.

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (i) substantially all the property of which is located, and substantially all the operations of which are conducted, in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, and (ii) which owns or leases a Principal Property.

        "Subsidiary" means any corporation which qualifies to be included as a group company of either Unilever N.V. or Unilever PLC in the combined consolidated balance sheet of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC and their respective Subsidiaries as published in the most recent Annual Accounts of Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V.

Modification of the Indenture

        Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC, Unilever U.S. and the Trustee may modify and amend the Indenture, with the consent of the holders of not less than 662/3% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of all series under the Indenture which are affected by the modification or amendment (voting as one class); provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each such outstanding security of any series affected thereby, among other things:

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        Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC, Unilever U.S. and the trustee may also amend the Indenture in certain circumstances without the consent of the holders of the debt securities to evidence the succession of another corporation to Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or Unilever U.S., as the case may be, or the replacement of the trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and for certain other purposes.

Events of Default

        The following are defined as Events of Default with respect to securities of any series outstanding under the Indenture (unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement):

        If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee in its discretion may proceed to protect and enforce its rights and those of the holders of such series of securities. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of such series (or of all affected series in the case of defaults under clauses (d) and (e) above (voting as one class)) may accelerate the maturity of all such outstanding securities of such series by written notice. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding securities of such series (or of all such affected series in the case of defaults under clauses (d) and (e) above (voting as one class), as the case may be) under the Indenture may waive any past default under the Indenture, except, among other things, a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding securities of any series (or of all such affected series in the case of defaults under clauses (d) and (e) above (voting as one class), as the case may be) may rescind a declaration of acceleration of securities of such series but only if all Events of Default have been remedied and all payments due (other than those due as a result of acceleration) have been made. Since each series of guaranteed debt securities will be independent of each other series, a default with respect to one series of guaranteed debt securities will not in itself necessarily result in the acceleration of the maturity of a different series of guaranteed debt securities.

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        Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S. are required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to performance or fulfillment of covenants, agreements or conditions in the Indenture or a statement as to the nature of any default.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S. may, without the consent of the holders of any of the securities outstanding under the Indenture, consolidate or amalgamate with, merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any corporation if:

        Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or Unilever U.S. or any of their respective Subsidiaries may, subject to certain restrictions, assume the obligations of any of Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V. as obligor under the securities issued under the Indenture.

Defeasance and Discharge

        The Indenture provides that Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S., at the option of Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC or Unilever U.S., as the case may be:

if in each case, Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, irrevocably deposits with the Trustee, in trust, (i) in the case of guaranteed debt securities of such series denominated in U.S. dollars, money and/or U.S. government obligations or (ii) in the case of guaranteed debt securities of such series denominated in a foreign currency (other than a basket currency, as defined in the Indenture), money and/or foreign government securities in the same foreign currency, which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount in cash sufficient to pay all the principal of (including any mandatory sinking find or analogous payments), and any premium and interest on, the guaranteed debt securities of such series

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not later than one day before the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of the guaranteed debt securities of such series.

        In the case of a discharge pursuant to clause (a) above, Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, is required to deliver to the Trustee either an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of guaranteed debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and related defeasance and will be subject to United States Federal income tax in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and related defeasance had not been exercised or a ruling to such effect received from or published by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

        In the event we exercise our option pursuant to clause (b) above, Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be, will deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of guaranteed debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and related defeasance and will be subject to United States Federal income tax in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and related defeasance had not been exercised.

        If the Trustee or paying agent is unable to apply any money, U.S. government obligations and/or foreign government securities deposited in trust by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority located within the United States and having jurisdiction in the premises, enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application (including any such order or judgment requiring the payment of money, U.S. government obligations and/or foreign government securities to Unilever Capital Corporation or Unilever N.V., as the case may be), the obligations of Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S. under the Indenture, the guaranteed debt securities of such series and the guarantees relating to such guaranteed debt securities will be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all such money, U.S. government obligations and/or foreign government securities to payments of the principal of or any premium and interest on the guaranteed debt securities of such series. If any issuer or any guarantor makes any payment of principal of or any interest on any guaranteed debt securities of such series because of any such reinstatement of obligations, the issuer or the guarantor will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the guaranteed debt securities of such series to receive such payment from the money, U.S. government obligations and/or foreign government securities held by the Trustee.

Governing Law

        New York law will govern the Indenture and the guaranteed debt securities.

Concerning the Trustee

        The Bank of New York Mellon is Trustee under the Indenture. Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S. and certain of their respective Subsidiaries maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with The Bank of New York Mellon and its affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

        Pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, should a default occur with respect to either the guaranteed debt securities constituting Senior Debt of the issuer or any guarantor or subordinated guaranteed debt securities, The Bank of New York Mellon would be required to resign as Trustee with respect to the guaranteed debt securities constituting Senior Debt or the subordinated guaranteed debt securities under the Indenture within 90 days of such default unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the guaranteed debt securities in and outside the United States (i) through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to purchasers or (iii) through agents. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

        If we use underwriters in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the guaranteed debt securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

        During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the guaranteed debt securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued at any time.

        If we use dealers in the sale of the guaranteed debt securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

        We may sell the guaranteed debt securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the guaranteed debt securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you

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otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

        We may sell the guaranteed debt securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

        If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase guaranteed debt securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

        We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the guaranteed debt securities, the guarantees and the Ordinary Shares €0.16 deliverable upon conversion of the guaranteed debt securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be passed upon for Unilever Capital Corporation, Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever U.S. by their United States counsel, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP will rely on either the General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer or Group Secretary of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC with respect to all matters of English and Dutch law.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the 2007 20-F have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V., and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firms, given on the authority of said firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

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Table of Contents

Unilever Capital Corporation

$            % Senior Notes due 2016

$            % Senior Notes due 2021

Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest
Guaranteed Jointly, Severally Fully and Unconditionally by

Unilever N.V.,
Unilever PLC and
Unilever United States, Inc.



PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

          , 2011