Danone converts its Villecomtal-sur-Arros dairy in the Gers into a vegetable milk factory

13/02/2022 By gifsauce 942 Views

Following the change of destination of Danone's Gers factory, a possible plan to cease production is under discussion.

Published on November 17, 2021 - By Alizée JuanchichThe Villecomtal-sur-Arros dairy will only produce vegetable milks© Danone

By 2023, the Danone factory in Villecomtal-sur-Arros (Gers) will no longer transform a drop of cow's milk but oats and other vegetable products to make UHT vegetable drinks sold under its Alpro brand. After having already invested 16 million euros this year to develop its brand specializing in vegetable food on the Issenheim site in Alsace, this time the installation of the latest generation lines will cost 43 million euros. This will allow the agrifood giant to increase its plant-based beverage production capacity by 25% by 2024.

To go further: Should we be afraid of plant-based alternatives to dairy products?

Danone converts its Villecomtal-sur-Arros dairy in the Gers into a vegetable milk factory

“We are seeing consumer enthusiasm for plant-based recipes that provide a simple solution for those wishing to adopt a more varied and diversified diet. More than ever, we believe in the complementarity of vegetable and dairy products,” explains François Eyraud, Managing Director of Danone Fresh Products France.

A social plan

Because the industrialist wishes to reassure: a second investment of 24 million euros is intended for the dairies of Bailleul (Hauts De France), Pays de Bray (Normandy) and Saint-Just-Chaleyssin (Auvergne Rhône-Alpes) to which be transferred back to the transformed volumes at Villecomtal. However, discussions are underway between the producer organizations delivering the site and Danone with a view to possible support for the cessation of activity.

The FNPL denounces a "brutal social plan that does not speak its name" and asks Danone to "offer collection solutions for everyone". “Danone can say 'we are continuing to collect' but, at the same time, reduce volumes or disgust producers from continuing,” warns Daniel Perrin, general secretary of the union.

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