Danone creates a benchmark for excellence in the organic sector at Steenvoorde

Danone invests €25 million in its Hauts-de-France site.

The Blédina site in Steenvoorde has proved its worth in the organic sector.

One year after production of its new range was launched, Danone wants to make the site a reference point in Europe for organic infant milk.

« The Steenvoorde plant will produce organic infant milk for the whole of Europe. The group has decided to make Steenvoorde its benchmark for organic nutrition. », explains François Mekerke, director of Blédina Steenvoorde.

The €25 million investment should allow:

• the construction of a 2,000 m2 extension to existing buildings to house new production lines.
• the creation of 15 new jobs

In addition, the group has committed to supporting nearly forty Hauts-de-France producers as they convert to organic farming


The long-term aim is to produce up to 80 million litres of organic milk in the region to supply the plant.

Production is due to start at the end of Summer 2021.

Danone choses to develop in Hauts-de-France, rather than investing abroad

The Steenvoorde site beat its European competition to the investment thanks to the galvanisation of local and regional stakeholders.

It’s a great asset for the company which is located in France’s third-ranked region for the food industry.

“There were other possible scenarios, such as setting up in the Netherlands,” acknowledges François Mekerke. “This was a project for which it was important to obtain financial subsidies. Choosing Steenvoorde was justified as it’s the group’s infant milk production site and we have strong local roots.”