London, 1 July 2020 – International law firm Hogan Lovells has advised NYSE-listed firm Ingredion, a leader in the plant-based ingredient solutions market, on its £185 million acquisition of PureCircle, a London-listed producer of stevia sweeteners. The acquisition advances Ingredion’s specialties strategy for sugar reduction and will support future sales growth. The takeover was implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement with PureCircle shareholders having the option to receive cash or shares in the Ingredion Bidco. Ingredion have also invested a further US$130 million into PureCircle by means of an equity injection, and a result of this acquisition will control 75 percent of PureCircle. The transaction was announced in April, though completion was subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including obtaining antitrust clearance in the United States. The corporate team was led by corporate partners Maegen Morrison (in London), together with Bill Curtin and Richard Parrino, based in Washington, D.C. They were supported by teams in China, the United States, Belgium and London across a variety of practice areas including antitrust, corporate, data protection, employment, employee share schemes, IP, real estate, and pensions.

Commenting on the deal, partner Maegen Morrison said : “It has been a pleasure to work with Ingredion on its first public acquisition in the UK. The transaction is yet another example of the breadth and depth of our global practice and our ability as a firm to work seamlessly across jurisdictions and practices, in close conjunction with our client’s legal and deal teams, even when working remotely.”

Global Head of M&A, Bill Curtin added: “We are honored to serve as M&A counsel to Ingredion, drawing upon our ability to execute cross-border transactions in regulated industries and by providing our global resources to promote our clients’ continuing success.”