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.
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 Jul 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Lipton Teas & Infusions BV
Praise
Information
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.
Source: Oxfam
(2019)
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.
Source: Rainforest Alliance
(2021)
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website under the headings responsible sourcing, regenerating nature and net zero.
Source: company website
(2023)
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.
Source: company website
(2022)
CVC Capital Partners Ltd
Praise
Information
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.
Source: company website
(2022)
16.2% in Financial System Benchmark
The 2022 Financial System Benchmark ranks 400 financial institutions across three measurement areas: governance and strategy, respecting planetary boundaries (environment, climate and biodiversity) and adhering to societal conventions (human rights). This company ranked #133/400, with a total score of 16.2/100.
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.
Source: UNPRI
(2020)
CVC Foundation
In June 2011, the company established the CVC Foundation to take its philanthropy programme to the next level.
Source: company website
(2022)
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website.
Source: company website
(2022)
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
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
★ some products certified Fairtrade
★ some products certified organic
Pukka
Tea
★ certified organic