Danone Canada has announced a strategic CAD $9 million investment in its Boucherville plant to transition to more sustainable packaging production. The investment will enable the production of new individual yogurt cups made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, with the company targeting 30% recycled PET (rPET) content integration.
This represents Danone’s first packaging initiative of this scale in Canada and demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing recyclable packaging solutions in the North American market. The project centers on the company’s Oikos brand, which leads the Canadian high-protein Greek yogurt category.
Danone Canada is a leading food and beverage company that holds top market positions in yogurt, plant-based foods and beverages, ready-to-drink coffee, and waters. The company’s portfolio includes brands such as Oikos, Activia, Evian water, and Silk. It is also a leading producer of plant-based foods and beverages through brands like Alpro, So Delicious, and Earth Island.
The project has secured significant support from the Quebec government, with Investissement Québec providing a $3 million loan and RECYC-QUÉBEC contributing a direct grant of $400,000. The total government support of $3.4 million represents nearly 38% of the project’s total investment.
The financial backing aligns with Quebec’s broader strategy to reduce plastic pollution and promote innovative packaging solutions within the province’s manufacturing sector.
Danone: Industry-first recycled content integration
The incorporation of 30% recycled PET content represents a notable advancement in the Canadian dairy packaging sector. While PET containers are commonly used in food packaging globally, the integration of significant recycled content in yogurt packaging marks a technological progression for Danone’s Canadian operations.
The new packaging design maintains product integrity while advancing recyclability objectives, supporting both consumer convenience and environmental sustainability goals.
The PET cups are designed to integrate into existing recycling infrastructure more effectively than previous packaging formats, addressing Quebec’s efforts to establish leadership in sustainable manufacturing practices.
Danone Canada has already begun deploying the new Oikos PET cups across Canadian retail locations, indicating the company’s confidence in both production capabilities and market acceptance. The rapid rollout suggests extensive pre-launch testing and supply chain preparation.
