Danone is stepping up its investments in Morocco and inaugurating a “Green Factory” in Meknes.
This energy excellence project is part of the 2020-2024 investment agreement signed between the government and Centrale Danone, relating to the extension of production capacities, the installation of new equipment, the optimization of manufacturing processes and the launch of new finished products at the level of the industrial sites of Centrale Danone located in Meknes, Salé, El Jadida and Fqih Ben Saleh, specifies a press release from the group.
The overall investment program amounts to 161 million dirhams and will ultimately allow the creation of 120 direct jobs.
At the Meknes site, the investment includes, in addition to the extension of certain production lines for dairy drinks and desserts, a major component relating to the installation of equipment and installations intended to improve the energy footprint of the factory with a dedicated investment of 17 MDH.
Operational since 1985, the Centrale Danone factory in Meknes specializes in the production of desserts, fresh cheeses and drinking yogurts. The total area of the site is 45,000 m2, of which 10,055 m2 is covered. The plant employs 212 people.
The plant is presented, according to the press release, as a pilot model aimed at promoting energy efficiency and decarbonization in the industrial sites of Centrale Danone in Morocco.
Thanks to its “Green Factory”, the Usine Centrale Danone in Meknes now achieves 52% use of renewable energies for its energy consumption, achieving in advance the national objective of increasing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix. of the country to 52% by 2030. The thermal energy produced on the site represents 90% of the energy from green sources.
On the occasion of this inauguration chaired by Ryad Mezzour, the Minister of Trade and Industry, declared: “The investments undertaken by Centrale Danone bear witness to a clear strategic vision and a commitment to the promotion of clean energies. and the preservation of the environment. They also demonstrate Centrale Danone’s desire to remain at the forefront of innovation and respond to market developments through continuous improvement in the quality and diversity of the products offered. »
