• Approval granted unconditionally
• Reviewed as simple case by Shanghai AMR

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has approved US food ingredient manufacturer Ingredion’s proposed acquisition of UK-based peer Tate & Lyle, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The approval was granted unconditionally, the source said.

SAMR accepted the deal for review under its simplified review procedure on 4 September, and assigned the case to the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation.

Announced on 6 June, the GBP 2.7bn (USD 3.5bn) equity value deal is subject to antitrust approvals in the European Union, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States and Zanzibar. Brazil cleared the transaction on 25 August.

The deal parties also notified the European Commission of the deal under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) on 5 October.

The merger agreement has a long-stop date on 8 December 2027.

Tate & Lyle declined to comment. Ingredion had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

SAMR does not comment on ongoing deals.