LIPTON Teas and Infusions

What LIPTON Teas and Infusions does

LIPTON Teas and Infusions B.V. is a private Dutch company headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1871 and currently controlled by CVC Capital Partners following its July 2022 carve-out acquisition of Unilever's tea business (formerly ekaterra, rebranded in January 2023). It is the world's largest tea company, purchasing approximately 4% of global tea production and operating across 100 countries with manufacturing in the UK (Manchester PG Tips), UAE (Jebel Ali), Kenya (Kericho), Pakistan (Khanewal since 1948), and Japan, serving approximately 250 million daily consumers through a portfolio of more than 30 brands including Lipton (the flagship, with 42 regional variations of Yellow Label), PG Tips (UK's #1), Pukka (organic herbal), T2 (Australian specialty with 100+ varieties), TAZO (US chai), Lyons (Irish), Brooke Bond, Pure Leaf, and regional brands. Underlying technology includes the proprietary Tealingo™ tea categorization system, the Tea Essence (TESS) processing method, a 2020-patented high-infusion drying technology, PLA biodegradable teabags (industry first, 2018), the AI-powered IoTea™ farm management tool, and an AI-powered ESG risk monitoring platform covering 4,036 suppliers.

The company operates three primary go-to-market channels: (1) consumer packaged goods retail through supermarket, convenience, and grocery chains worldwide across mass-market (Lipton, PG Tips Original), premium (Pukka), and specialty (T2) price tiers; (2) HORECA and professional B2B serving hotels, restaurants, cafes, and workplaces with branded tea programs, staff training, and beverage program management; and (3) direct-to-consumer e-commerce through brand websites (lipton.com, pukkaherbs.com, t2tea.com, tazo.com). Revenue is generated through transactional product sales with regional P&L ownership across four continents. Reported revenue was €1.57 billion in 2024, down from approximately €2 billion pre-carve-out, against €3.2 billion in debt that has required €250 million in cumulative CVC capital support (€40M in 2025, €210M in April 2026) under a turnaround leadership team led by CEO Marc Busain (ex-HEINEKEN Americas President, appointed September 2025) and Chair Grant Reid (former Mars CEO, appointed April 2026).

Name

LIPTON Teas and Infusions

Legal name

LIPTON Teas and Infusions B.V.

Website

https://liptonteas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1871

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

LIPTON Teas and Infusions is the world's largest tea company, producing and selling teas, herbal infusions, and organic blends across 100 countries through brands including Lipton, PG Tips, Pukka, T2, TAZO, and Lyons to approximately 250 million daily consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tea and Herbal Infusions

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing (31193)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates) (CRADAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ), Instant Tea, Tea Extracts & Concentrates Manufacturing (AFAFADAH), Coffee & Tea Concentrates, Syrups & Extracts (CRADAHAI), Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAGAD), Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI), Tea Rooms & Tea Cafes (THAFADAF)

Keywords

• Branded tea products
• Herbal infusions
• Black tea blends
• Ready-to-drink tea
• Tea retail distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - Retail: Sale of branded teas and herbal infusions through traditional retail, supermarkets, and convenience stores globally under brands including Lipton, PG Tips, Pukka, T2, TAZO, and Lyons. Products span mass-market black and green teas, premium organic herbal teas, specialty teas, and concentrates sold through retail shelf space worldwide.
2. HORECA and Professional B2B: Supply of teas and infusions to hotels, restaurants, cafes, and workplaces (HORECA channel), as well as dedicated professional service packages including staff training, marketing materials, and personalised recommendations for beverage program management.
3. Direct-to-Consumer (Brand Websites): Direct sales of teas and related products through brand websites and regional e-commerce platforms including lipton.com, pukkaherbs.com, t2tea.com, and tazo.com.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

LIPTON Teas and Infusions is the world's largest tea company, producing and selling a portfolio of branded teas and herbal infusions (black, green, white, chai, and herbal botanicals) across more than 100 countries. The portfolio spans mass-market brands such as Lipton and PG Tips, premium organic herbal teas under Pukka, specialty teas under T2 and TAZO, and regional brands such as Lyons and Brooke Bond. The company operates the full farm-to-cup value chain, including sourcing from nearly one million farmers, manufacturing, branded retail distribution, HORECA channels, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Product overview

LIPTON Teas and Infusions is the world's largest tea company, offering a portfolio of iconic global and regional brands across teas and herbal infusions. The core product is the flagship Lipton (Yellow Label) brand, supported by sub-brands including Pukka (organic herbal teas), T2 (Australian tea and teaware), PG Tips (UK's top-selling tea), TAZO (US chai and specialty teas), Lyons (Irish tea), Brooke Bond (India/Pakistan), Pure Leaf (ready-to-drink), Elephant/Joko, and others. Products span black, green, white, oolong, and herbal teas; tea concentrates; and botanical ingredients including over 100 herbs and spices sourced globally. The company operates across the full tea value chain from farm to consumer, serving 250 million daily consumers in 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lipton: Flagship global tea brand, inspiration for the company's name
• Pukka
• T2
• PG Tips
• TAZO
• Lyons
• Brooke Bond
• Elephant
• Pure Leaf
• Red Label
• Taj Mahal

Products and services

• Lipton

Quantifiable outcome

• Tea is the lowest carbon-footprint beverage after tap water, ten times less than bottled water (per France's ADEME environmental agency)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Yellow Door EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026LIPTON commissioned a 580 kWp rooftop solar power plant at its Jebel Ali factory in Dubai in partnership with Yellow Door Energy. The installation comprises nearly 1,000 photovoltaic panels generating approximately 958,000 kWh of clean electricity annually (meeting ~13% of facility energy needs) and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 388,000 kg per year. The project supports LIPTON's net-zero by 2040 target and the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Clean Energy Strategy, with similar renewable initiatives underway in Pakistan and Turkey.
• Browns Investments (Sri Lanka)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2024LIPTON and Browns Investments agreed a long-term partnership in May 2024 to accelerate tea industry transformation, combining LIPTON's global tea expertise with Browns Investments' regional capabilities in Sri Lanka and East Africa.
• Government of KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2024LIPTON partnered with the Government of Kenya and the University of Kabianga to create the Lipton Tea Innovation & Technology Academy — the world's first higher education institution dedicated to tea. The Academy offers professional training from introductory business skills to advanced scientific research (masters' and doctoral degrees), supporting Kenya's largest export industry and creating globally sought talent. First graduates completed the program in 2024.
• University of Kabianga (Kenya)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2024University partner in the Lipton Tea Innovation & Technology Academy, providing academic credentials and research capabilities for tea science, agricultural best practices, and skills development for Kenya's tea industry workforce.
• Cranfield UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIPTON partnered with Cranfield University for climate-smart agriculture research and development, advancing agronomic excellence and climate resilience in tea production as part of the 2025 sustainability initiatives.
• IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIPTON works with IDH to drive sustainable trade practices and social impact across the tea supply chain, supporting living wage initiatives, responsible sourcing, and farmer livelihoods programs.
• Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on nutrition and health outcomes, supporting LIPTON's mission to promote the health and well-being benefits of teas and infusions to consumers globally.
• UN WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIPTON collaborates with UN Women on gender equality and women's empowerment programs within its supply chain and the tea industry, including social and economic empowerment initiatives for women and girls in tea-growing regions.
• Global Tea CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIPTON participates in the Global Tea Coalition, an industry-wide alliance working to promote the tea category, advance sustainability standards, and drive collective advocacy for tea's health and well-being benefits globally.
• UNICEFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIPTON has worked with UNICEF on child welfare and community development programs in tea-growing regions, supporting broader social impact initiatives alongside core business operations.
• WE (We Charity)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with WE (We Charity) supporting youth empowerment and education programs in tea-growing communities, contributing to LIPTON's social impact agenda.
• Digital Opportunities TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on digital skills and opportunities for communities in LIPTON's operating regions, supporting broader development goals alongside tea industry programs.
• Soil AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPukka brand holds certification from the Soil Association, supporting organic and sustainably produced herbal teas. The Soil Association alliance supports Pukka's commitment to 100% organic and fair-trade sourced ingredients.
• Fair for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPukka brand holds Fair for Life certification, supporting fair trade practices and responsible sourcing throughout its supply chain alongside the Soil Association certification.
• Fairtrade / Fairworld InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPukka brand holds Fairtrade and Fairworld International certifications for ethical sourcing, complementing its organic certification to ensure both environmental and social standards across its ingredient supply chain.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tata Consumer Products: India-headquartered CPG major owning Tata Tea, Tetley, and Eight O'Clock Coffee—the most direct global competitor to LIPTON with comparable mass-market tea portfolios across India, UK, and North America and similar exposure to private-label tea competition.
• Associated British Foods (Twinings): Owns Twinings, the UK's heritage premium tea brand that competes directly with PG Tips and Lipton on UK supermarket shelves and globally in HORECA, sharing the same British retail customer base and similar sustainability positioning.
• Hain Celestial (Celestial Seasonings): Owner of Celestial Seasonings, the leading US herbal tea brand; directly comparable to Pukka and TAZO in the North American natural/specialty channel, with overlapping wellness positioning and retail customer base.
• Bigelow Tea: Third-generation US family-owned tea company competing with Lipton and TAZO in US grocery and foodservice channels; comparable CPG tea manufacturer with premium and mass-market tier exposure.
• Yogi Tea (East West Tea Company): US-based herbal and functional tea brand with comparable wellness, organic, and sustainability positioning to Pukka; competes in the same natural products retail channel in North America.
• Dilmah: Sri Lankan family-owned tea company competing globally in premium loose-leaf and tea-bag segments; comparable in vertical integration (estate-to-cup), sustainability certifications, and HORECA presence.
• Traditional Medicinals: US herbal tea company with therapeutic wellness positioning that overlaps with Pukka's organic herbal blends; comparable in scale, US natural-channel distribution, and clinical/wellness branding.
• ITO EN: Japan's largest tea company with both RTD bottled tea (overlapping with Pure Leaf) and traditional tea products; directly comparable in tea category breadth and APAC retail presence.

Emerging players

• Harney & Sons: US specialty tea company with premium loose-leaf positioning comparable to T2; competes in the same specialty tea and gift-channel segments and overlapping customer demographic.

Broad incumbents

• JDE Peet's (JAB Holding): Global coffee and tea platform under JAB Holding that competes in adjacent beverage categories (coffee, hot beverages); comparable in scale, HORECA distribution, private-equity ownership, and category consolidation strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LyonsTea
• Instagraminstagram.com/lyonstea.ie

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LIPTON Teas and Infusions