A historic British company with roots dating back to the 1850s has been purchased by an American corporation in a deal worth $3.6 billion. Tate & Lyle, one of Britain’s most established industrial enterprises, accepted a cash buyout offer from US-based Ingredion on Monday, creating what will become a major global player in food and beverage ingredients.
The acquisition represents the latest chapter in a remarkable business story that began more than 160 years ago in London’s East End. Here’s how the company evolved from Victorian-era sugar refining to today’s specialty ingredients business:
1859-1872
Henry Tate began working in the sugar industry, with his family later founding the Henry Tate & Sons refinery following the dissolution of an earlier business partnership.
1875
Henry Tate brought cube sugar to the British market for the first time.
1883
Abram Lyle & Sons began sugar melting operations approximately 1.5 miles from the Henry Tate & Sons’ Thames Refinery location in East London.
1899
Henry Tate died.
1921
The two rival companies, Henry Tate & Sons and Abram Lyle & Sons, combined operations to create Tate & Lyle, which then controlled approximately half of Britain’s sugar production.
1937
Michael Kroyer Kielberg, a businessman originally from Denmark, transferred ownership of his Liverpool sugar refinery to Tate & Lyle in return for partnership rights in the company’s new West Indies sugar operations.
1938
The company went public with shares trading on the London exchange.
1953-1965
Following Kielberg’s retirement, Tate & Lyle purchased his United Molasses company and expanded its molasses trading operations.
1976
Working alongside scientists at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London, Tate & Lyle developed sucralose, a zero-calorie sweetener still widely used today. The product reached consumers as SPLENDA through a partnership with McNeil Nutritionals.
1980s-1990s
The company pursued multiple acquisitions to expand beyond its traditional sugar and sweetener operations.
Early 2000s
Launched an initiative to eliminate underperforming business units.
Mid- to late-2000s
Gained exclusive manufacturing rights for SPLENDA, grew its specialty ingredients division, and reduced its sugar refining and trading activities.
2010
Divested its European Union sugar operations to concentrate on its rapidly expanding food ingredients division. This transaction concluded the company’s direct involvement in refined sugar manufacturing, though the Tate & Lyle Sugar brand continued through licensing agreements.
Early- to late- 2010s
Continued selling off various assets while expanding its dietary fiber and sweetener product lines.
2020
Purchased Sweet Green Fields to enhance its capabilities in alternative sweeteners including stevia.
2021
Divested majority ownership in its primary products commercial sweeteners division, establishing Primient as a separate company while refocusing on healthier food and beverage products.
2024
Sold its remaining ownership stake in Primient early in the year, then acquired US-based CP Kelco in June to strengthen its specialty ingredients portfolio and capitalize on growing demand for plant-based products.
Market reports in October indicated that private equity firm Advent was preparing a takeover proposal for Tate & Lyle potentially worth more than £2.8 billion in total market value. That proposed deal never materialized.
May 14, 2026
Ingredion, the US food ingredients manufacturer, announced it was conducting acquisition discussions with Tate & Lyle.
June 8, 2026
Both companies confirmed they had reached agreement on the takeover terms.
