Six months after Danone completed the acquisition of organic producer WhiteWave, the newly combined business unit DanoneWave is expanding its plant-based beverage manufacturing operations with up to US$60 million investment in a US facility.

The facility, based in Mount Crawford, Virginia, was previously used to make WhiteWave brands such as silk plant-based food and beverages, however, the company is adding capacity to produce and expand its warehouse at the facility, creating new jobs in the process.

“Our success as a business is integrally linked to the ecosystem in which we operate and we are grateful to Virginia, the governor, his extended team, and everyone in Rockingham County for being so encouraging and for providing such a productive environment,” said Dan Poland, chief supply chain officer for DanoneWave.

“With the support of our employees, business partners and the community at large, including the Commonwealth [of Virginia], we are able to provide better-for-you food and beverage choices.”

Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free and Vega are included in DanoneWave’s plant-based portfolio.

DanoneWave’s aim is to produce healthy and plant-based products using sustainable agricultural practices.

“We are thrilled to carry on Virginia’s 30-year corporate partnership with legacy WhiteWave Foods to DanoneWave and look forward to the company’s next chapter in Rockingham County as it expands its product portfolio,” said Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe.

“The Shenandoah Valley has emerged as a hub in the food and beverage manufacturing industry and growing this critical sector is an important part of our efforts to diversify and build the new Virginia economy.”