Euronext: BN · Paris, France
The Garage / Company file
Danone
A French health-focused nutrition giant, balance-scaling specialized medical feeding platforms alongside global dairy and plant-based staples.
Market quote
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Today
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Symbol
Euronext: BN
The story / 4 turning points
1919
The Barcelona pharmacy culture and industrial yogurt genesis
Danone was founded in Barcelona by Isaac Carasso, who witnessed high numbers of local children suffering from severe intestinal disorders. Drawing research from the Pasteur Institute, he manufactured the first industrial therapeutic yogurts, selling them through pharmacies and naming the brand after his son Daniel's Catalan nickname, "Danon".
1972
The BSN sheet glass merger and the historic Riboud manifesto
The original yogurt business merged with BSN, a massive French industrial glass manufacturer led by visionary executive Antoine Riboud. In his historic 1972 Marseille speech, Riboud declared that corporate economic success must be inextricably tied to social responsibility, outlining a formal dual project that legally defined Danone's progressive culture.
2017
The $12.5 billion WhiteWave acquisition and the plant-based pivot
Danone completed a massive $12.5 billion acquisition of US organic food pioneer WhiteWave Foods, instantly making the French multinational the undisputed global leader in plant-based dairy alternatives. The mega-transaction added major household brands like Silk, Alpro, and Horizon Organic to its healthy nutrition portfolio.
2026
The Renew Danone optimization and €28 billion revenue scale
By mid-2026, Danone S.A. successfully executed the final stages of its comprehensive "Renew Danone" strategic operational turnaround plan. By driving major structural product innovations across its core Essential Dairy and Plant-Based (EDP) lines, corporate leadership successfully anchored stable international sales volumes exceeding €28 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Danone?
Danone was founded by Isaac Carasso.
When was Danone founded?
Danone was founded in 1919.
Where was Danone founded?
Danone was headquartered in Paris, France.
Why was Danone created?
Danone was founded in Barcelona by Isaac Carasso, who witnessed high numbers of local children suffering from severe intestinal disorders. Drawing research from the Pasteur Institute, he manufactured the first industrial therapeutic yogurts, selling them through pharmacies and naming the brand after his son Daniel's Catalan nickname, "Danon".
What does Danone do?
A French health-focused nutrition giant, balance-scaling specialized medical feeding platforms alongside global dairy and plant-based staples. Discover how Danone evolved from a therapeutic Barcelona pharmacy experiment into a €28 billion global powerhouse in dairy, plant-based, and specialized nutrition.
How did Danone grow?
By mid-2026, Danone S.A. successfully executed the final stages of its comprehensive "Renew Danone" strategic operational turnaround plan. By driving major structural product innovations across its core Essential Dairy and Plant-Based (EDP) lines, corporate leadership successfully anchored stable international sales volumes exceeding €28 billion.
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