On 12 February 2024, chief executive officer Antoine de Saint-Affrique joined French officials and Danone employees inaugurated its newly transformed production facility in Villecomtal-sur-Arros in southwestern France. Reflecting Danone’s focus on anticipating consumer needs, the site’s conversion to plant-based makes it a new reference point in Europe for the production of oat-based drinks for the Alpro brand.

Partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the site will be the starting point for the “Danone Champions Tour”, the largest corporate relay race, with over 1,000 runners on February 19.

Villecomtal is now a center of industrial excellence in the heart of France, serving markets across Europe. Its transformation took nearly two years and called for a capital investment of several million euros. With its cutting-edge technology, the site is now home to Danone France’s only oat-flour-to-oat-juice production facility.

The Villecomtal-sur-Arros plant features two innovative and competitive production lines, one operating at high speed. Beverage output is set to reach over 300,000 liters a day for distribution in France and 26 other European markets. 90% of total production is designated for export, making the site a European showcase for French plant-based products.