Danone’s €60m Aldaia hub sets new benchmark for innovation
From left to right: Pilar Bernabé, Government Delegate in the Valencian Community; Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities; Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism; François Lacombe, CEO of Danone Iberia; Carlos Mazón, President of the Generalitat Valenciana; Francesc Casajuana, Secretary General of Danone Iberia; Laurent Sacchi, Secretary General and Executive Vice President of Danone Global; Marián Cano, Regional Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana.
Danone has completed a €60 million investment in its Aldaia production and innovation center in Valencia, Spain — now one of the company’s most advanced facilities globally.
Over five years, the French multinational has transformed Aldaia into a fully integrated ecosystem that concentrates 90% of its production and delivers more than 180 innovation projects annually.
Positioned as a flagship for Danone’s future-facing strategy, the Aldaia Innovation Hub combines high-specialisation manufacturing, cutting-edge technology, and agile process design.
“Aldaia is much more than a plant for Danone,” said François Lacombe, CEO of Danone Iberia. “It’s a meeting point between our history, our commitment to innovation, and our vision for the future.”
The Aldaia site brings together packaging manufacturing, production, and distribution under one roof — enabling Danone to operate a circular economy model across its entire value chain.
The hub produces some of Danone’s most advanced functional products, including Activia, Actimel, YoPro, and Danacol. It also serves as the global production center for Danacol and the European hub for drinkable YoPro.
At the heart of Aldaia’s innovation engine is Danone’s proprietary ferment collection — one of the largest in the world, with over 4,000 strains, 1,800 of which are exclusive to the company.
The Aldaia Hub connects with Danone’s global R&D network, including two key Spanish centers: the Tres Cantos Technology Center in Madrid, which developed patented high-protein processing technology, and the Carasso Center in Barcelona, which houses pilot plants and fermentation labs.
Over the past five years, the facility has reduced milk emissions by 20%, CO₂ emissions by 14%, and water consumption by 12% per tonne produced. It operates on 100% renewable electricity and features one of Danone’s largest solar installations in Europe.
The circular model enables Danone to produce what it calls “the most sustainable yogurt on the market,” with 30% fewer CO₂ emissions than conventional alternatives. Milk is sourced daily from local family farms, including More Holstein — the first B Corp-certified farm in Europe and a Danone partner for over 40 years.
Aldaia’s export footprint is significant: 52% of its output is destined for international markets including Portugal, Italy, France, and the UK.
To mark the completion of the investment, Danone hosted an inauguration event with public and private sector leaders, including Spain’s Ministers of Industry and Science, regional officials, and representatives from WHO, CSIC, ENISA, COTEC, and CONSUM. The roundtable emphasised the role of public-private collaboration in driving agri-food innovation.
The Aldaia site will also house the world’s first Danone museum, showcasing the company’s 100-year history — from its founding in Barcelona in 1919 to its global presence today.
