Lipton Teas & Infusions
Tea company
Formerly ekaterra. World's largest tea business, comprising 36 tea brands and 90 facilities around the world. Part of Unilever until 2022, when CVC Capital Partners acquired the business for 4.5 billion euros. Distributed in Australia by Stuart Alexander.

Overall

Owned UK
Rating F
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

Lipton Teas & Infusions BV
NLD
CVC Capital Partners Ltd
owns 100% of Lipton Teas & Infusions BV
UK
Private equity firm
Founded in 1981 and today manages US$71 billion in funds throughout Europe, Asia and the US.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Jan 2025)
Lipton Teas & Infusions BV
Criticism
Workers rights in India
A 2019 investigation by Oxfam found workers on tea plantations in the Assam region of India are systematically denied their rights to a living wage and decent working and living conditions. Tea workers also struggle to get timely and good quality healthcare, access clean drinking water, and provide their children with a decent education. Women bear the heaviest burden of systemic inequality, as they are concentrated in the lowest paid plucking roles and also shoulder most of the unpaid domestic care work. This company sources tea from Assam.
Information
Rainforest Alliance certified products
This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified tea. However this only represents a fraction of this company's total tea sales. Rainforest Alliance certification has been dubbed 'Fairtrade light' by critics, as it offers producers no minimum price for their crop, and guarantees a minimum of just 30% of the product is certified.
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website under the headings responsible sourcing, regenerating nature and net zero.
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
CVC Capital Partners Ltd
Criticism
0.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2022 and received a score of 0.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Involvement in gambling
This company has investments in two gaming companies, Tipico and Gaming1.
7.3% in Financial System Benchmark
The 2025 Financial System Benchmark ranks 400 financial institutions across five distinct measurement areas: Strategy, governance and stewardship, Financing climate and nature protection and restoration, Environmental footprints, Inclusive finance and Responsible business conduct. This company ranked #244/400, with a total score of 7.3 out of 100. The average score was 12.2 and the highest score was 43.
15% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 15 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
Information
UN Principles for Responsible Investment signatory
UNPRI is a set of six principles direct institutional investors may adopt to consider environmental, social and corporate governance issues when investing. UNPRI is a voluntary agreement.
CVC Foundation
In June 2011, the company established the CVC Foundation to take its philanthropy programme to the next level.
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website.
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Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Founded:
2021
Revenue:
2 billion EUR (2020)
Employees:
3,500 (2020)
Subsidiaries:
Tea Too Pty Ltd
Tea
Founded in Melbourne in 1996 by Maryanne Shearer and Jan O'Connor. Acquired by Unilever in 2013, who sold its tea business to CVC in 2022, including T2.
Pukka Herbs Ltd
Herbal teas
Founded in 2001 by Tim Westwell and Sebastian Pole. Acquired by Unilever in 2017, who sold its tea business to CVC in 2022, including Pukka Herbs.

Contact Details

Address:
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Website:
www.liptonteas.com

Products / Brands

Lipton Teas & Infusions / Stuart Alexander (distribution & marketing)
Bushells Tea
Lan Choo Tea
Lipton Tea
★ some products Rainforest Alliance certified
PG Tips Tea
★ some products Rainforest Alliance certified
T2 Tea / Stuart Alexander (distribution & marketing)
T2 Tea
★ some products certified Fairtrade
★ some products certified organic
Pukka Herbs / Stuart Alexander (distribution & marketing)
Pukka Tea
★ certified organic