Danone is producing this format innovation at its formula milk production facility in Wexford, Ireland, as part of a manufacturing partnership with the Japanese food manufacturer, Meiji. Through this partnership, Danone is combining its formula milk recipes with Meiji’s patented tablet production technology, to bring this convenient format to consumers in Europe. To do so, Danone has installed Meiji’s tablet production technology at Danone’s facility in Wexford, Ireland.
Meiji has pioneered a technique2 that applies compression and humidification to powdered formula milk, resulting in a crumble-resistant cube of formula, which readily dissolves in hot water. Jean-Michel Lequin, Director of Danone’s Wexford, Ireland, formula milk production facility explains: “We believe Meiji’s tablet production technology combined with Danone’s formula milk recipes has the potential to revolutionise the formula milk category in Europe. Shun Yoshioka, Managing Director of Meiji Food Europe, added, “Meiji’s patented tablet production technology uses simple processes of compression and humidification without the need for additives, to achieve a long-lasting product. We’re pleased to be partnering with Danone to bring this innovation in the formula milk category to consumers in Europe for the first time.”
By producing formula milks at Danone’s facility in Wexford, Ireland, using Meiji’s tab production technology, Danone can also source and produce formula milk in this new pre-measured tab format locally for the UK and, eventually, other European markets. That will help reduce the carbon footprint and supports Danone’s ‘One Planet. One Health’ frame of action – a conviction that the health of people and the planet are interconnected.
Following a successful launch in the UK, Danone plans to begin offering this new format in other countries in Europe as of 2022.
