Re Joint Venture

Re Joint Venture 

    LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2003--

      Tate & Lyle and IGENE Biotechnology announce joint venture
                       for new fermented product


Tate & Lyle PLC and IGENE Biotechnology, Inc (Igene) today announced a
50:50 joint venture to produce AstaXin(R), a natural source of the
pigment astaxanthin, which is widely used in the aquaculture industry.

Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring nutrient that is essential to
impart the characteristic red colour to farmed fish. Most available
astaxanthin is produced via a chemical route, but AstaXin(R) is a
natural product produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates.
AstaXin(R) contains 8000 parts per million of astaxanthin and has been
approved as a feed ingredient in Chile, Canada, the United States, and
Japan. The process to obtain approval in Europe is underway.

AstaXin(R) will be produced utilising Tate & Lyle's world-leading
fermentation capability together with unique technology developed by
Igene. Part of Tate & Lyle's existing Selby citric acid facility will
be modified to include the production of 1,500 tonnes per annum of
this new product. Tate & Lyle's investment of £15m ($25m) includes
certain of its Selby assets currently used in citric acid production.
Commercial production is expected to commence in the calendar year
2004.

'This move is in line with our strategy to grow Tate & Lyle's range of
valued added carbohydrate-based ingredients and to build on our
world-leading fermentation capability,' Simon Gifford, Tate & Lyle
Acting Chief Executive said. ' The market for this product is enjoying
exciting growth. Customers, who are mainly involved in the production
of farm-raised fish such as salmon and trout, are seeking alternatives
to the synthetic products currently available. All major producers
have approved the use of AstaXin(R).'

'We have been improving our strain and process continually over the
past number of years. This is the ideal moment to exploit this
technology with the assistance of Tate & Lyle's experienced
manufacturing staff,' said Michael Kimelman, Chairman of Igene.

For more information contact:

Tate & Lyle PLC
Mark Robinson, Head of Investor Relations: UK 020 7626 6525
Chris Fox, Director of Corporate Relations: UK 020 7626 6525 (Press)

IGENE Biotechnology, INC.
Christine Fitch, USA. 410-997-2599

About Tate & Lyle
Tate & Lyle is a world leader in carbohydrate ingredients. Our core
competence is to take basic carbohydrates - corn, wheat or sugar - and
add value to these raw materials through technology. As a result of
continuous innovation we offer an ever-wider product portfolio of
versatile and functional ingredients. These products include Cereal
Sweeteners, Starches, Sugars and Citric Acid. Our products have wide
applications in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper,
packaging and building industries.

With headquarters in London, the Group has 8,500 employees and 50
plants in 24 countries. Sales in the 53 weeks to 31 March 2002
totalled £3.9 billion.

Tate & Lyle ordinary shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under
TATE.L. In the US, ADRs trade on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board under
TATYY (each ADR is equal to four ordinary shares). Additional
information can be found at the website www.tateandlyle.com.

About IGENE Biotechnology
Igene has been specialising in research to adapt naturally found
chemicals to productive applications. It is headquartered in Columbia,
Maryland. Its shares trade on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board under IGNE.

   Short Name: Tate & Lyle PLC
   Category Code: JVE
   Sequence Number: 00003095
   Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20030318T212109+0000