Plant-based conversion for Danone's beverage production facility

The Danone beverage production facility in Villecomtal-sur-Arros in southwestern France has transformed its production to be completely plant-based. Danone cites anticipated customer needs as the reason for the switch.

The plant features two production lines, one operating at high speed. Beverage output is set to reach over 300,000 litres a day for distribution in France and 26 other European markets. 90% of total production is designated for export.

To support the transformation of the site all its employees received specialised training in plant processing techniques. Course content drew on Danone’s existing expertise, as the company already operates a facility dedicated to the production of plant-based products in Issenheim in eastern France. Thanks to exchanges between the two sites, 49 staff members at Villecomtal-sur-Arros were trained by their counterparts at Issenheim to manage the start-up of the new production lines. As the food industry evolves, these employees are thus developing new future-facing skills.

“We’re a multi-local company, which means our strength and our future lie in our employees and our historic presence in local communities. Today we’re proud to open a new production site for plant-based beverages. Making these products in France gives us a unique position in this market,” said Yann Le Roy, Operations Manager, Danone France.