We have recently updated our water reduction target to prioritise investment and action in eight company production facilities to deliver the greatest impact, while minimising the potential impact of water-related risks.
By Anna Pierce, Director of Sustainability, Tate & Lyle
Water is one of the world's most valuable resources. That's why Tate & Lyle is taking a targeted approach, focusing on the places where water risks are greatest and where action can make the biggest difference. By investing where it's needed most, we're helping protect this vital resource for the future, whilst strengthening our business and supporting local communities.
Rethinking water use
After acquiring CP Kelco in November 2024, we reviewed water use across our combined operations and supply chains. While our overall water consumption had fallen in 2025, our review found that having a simple global reduction target was not always directing effort where it was needed most.
That insight led us to change course.
Focusing where it matters most
Rather than applying the same approach everywhere, we decided to concentrate investment and action on the eight sites facing the highest current and future water risks.
As a result, earlier this year we set a new target to reduce water use intensity by 15% at these sites by March 2034, compared with 2024 levels. This more targeted approach will help strengthen the resilience of our operations while making the greatest positive impact on local water resources.
We also committed to achieving Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification at these locations by 2034. This globally recognised standard will help us work more closely with local communities and stakeholders to tackle shared water challenges together.
Water stewardship in action
While we are focusing investment on our highest-risk sites for water, every Tate & Lyle manufacturing facility continues to look for ways to use water more efficiently.
Some recent examples include:
Giving treated water a second life in China
At our fibre production facility in Nantong, China, improvements to wastewater treatment have enabled the site to discharge high-quality treated water into the city’s wastewater network.
This creates benefits for both the community and the site. The city gains an additional source of clean water, while Tate & Lyle enables its treated water to be put to further use.
Cutting freshwater use in Arkansas
In Van Buren, Arkansas, a new wastewater treatment plant became operational earlier this year.
The facility allows water to be reused in the site's cooling systems, reducing the amount of freshwater needed and cutting overall water use at the facility by around one-third.
Building a more resilient future
By focusing on the places where water risks are greatest, we're taking a more effective approach to managing this vital resource.
It's another step toward strengthening our business, supporting the communities where we operate, and helping protect water for future generations.
Find out more about our approach to water management in Tate & Lyle's 2026 Annual Report (page 56).
Notes:
Water and nature related risks: To better understand the water and nature-related risks facing our business, we reviewed our sites and key supply chains using a recognised framework developed by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). We combined data analysis, risk assessments and stakeholder input to identify where current and future water challenges are most significant. We also used leading external tools to assess issues such as water stress, local water pressures and broader impacts on nature.