How Danone creates value together

Over the past five years, Danone has invested 180 million euros in its two European production sites in Rotselaar and Wevelgem, dedicated to the production of dairy products and vegetable alternatives. Both sites have a key role to play in supporting the food company's growth in Europe and Belgium. Rotselaar exports to more than 20 countries; Alpro can be found in more than 50 countries.

Danone often speaks of "a multilocal company," and that local anchoring may also be taken literally. For the supply of the basic ingredient milk for products such as Actimel, Danone Fruit, Activia Fruit, Light & Free Fruit and Vitalinea, the company relies on some 85 dairy farmers situated within an average radius of 70 kilometers around the factory in Rotselaar. Reducing the carbon footprint of milk and optimizing animal welfare are therefore important factors in this collaboration.

In Belgium, the company offers dairy farmers a more stable income by reducing milk price volatility. Danone was also the first company to offer 5 years ago in Belgium an alternative price mechanism (free choice), which takes into account (part of) the main production costs of milk such as animal feed and thus obtains a more stable milk price. In addition, Danone works with a premium system. Dairy farmers who focus on sustainability and quality are also rewarded extra for this. 

In addition, Danone also partnered with Coöperatie Hoogstraten and 'Danone fruit from here' was born. A yogurt with local fresh milk and Belgian strawberries, produced in Rotselaar. Danone's well-known Danio brand also joined forces with Lotus Bakeries. A fresh cheese specialty with the typical Belgian Lotus speculoos.

In addition to investing in local partnerships, investing in innovation is also an important element for Danone. This is how they try to keep meeting consumer needs, and HiPRO was one of them. Product rich in protein for people with athletic lifestyles.  

In addition, Danone also wants to expand the range of plant-based alternatives more. Because more and more consumers are opting for plant-based drinks. This is how Alpro's 'Not MLK' came on the market, a plant-based oat drink developed in Alpro's state of the art vegetable innovation center in Wevelgem.

Alpro gets its ingredients from Europe as much as possible. Most of the soy and organic products the plant pioneer uses and all of our oats come from Europe. Alpro's soy never comes from the rainforests, Brazil or anywhere else in South America. All soybeans are 100% ProTerra certified, meaning it is GMO-free and not a cause of deforestation. Alpro sources its almonds from more small-scale, traditional orchards in the Mediterranean region. Ingredients that cannot be grown locally Alpro transports by sea to minimize its carbon footprint.

Fevia.be / food.be