Tate & Lyle PLC, the maker of Splenda, announced Tuesday that it will open a $26 million innovation center in Hoffman Estates. The company plans to relocate about 80 employees from Decatur to Hoffman Estates, where an additional 80 jobs will be created.

The Commercial and Food Innovation Center will respond quicker to customer needs and accelerate the release of new products into the market place. The center will open at the end of next year, and feature laboratories and a demonstration kitchen.

The company’s Americas Bulk Ingredients branch will continue to be based in Decatur.