Danone Brazil, a leader in dairy and specialized nutrition products, has taken another decisive step toward a more sustainable future. The company announces the launch of its new 100g packaging for dairy products - such as Activia, Danoninho, and Actimel - combining high technical performance with a nature-inspired design and significantly reduced end-of-life waste.

The result of a collaborative project supported by  Cazoolo  - Braskem's Circular Packaging Design Lab - along with  Amazu  and  Graham Packaging , the new packaging aligns with Danone's long-term vision of combining innovation with sustainability. The project drew inspiration from natural design patterns, including coral formations, armadillo shells, and elephant trunks. The goal was to create an innovative model with a hexagonal texture (similar to honeycombs) that would enhance bottle structure and optimize filling, distribution, and transportation processes.

"We are proud to deliver a solution that reinforces our commitment to becoming an increasingly sustainable and innovative company. This new packaging reflects our strategy to optimize plastic use while improving the environmental performance of our products. Since 2015, we've reduced our global carbon emissions by 38%, and this innovation marks another important milestone," said Gustavo Alvarez , Director of R&I at Danone Brazil.

The new packaging features a  biomimetic design  and is  8% lighter  than the previous version, without compromising integrity or functionality, resulting in a reduced environmental impact, as confirmed by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

"We developed the project collaboratively, drawing inspiration from nature to solve challenges. The result is an innovative design that met all planned requirements," added Mathew Joseph , General Manager at Graham Packaging.

A Strong Focus on Circularity

The project was the result of intense collaboration between Danone specialists, Graham Packaging teams, Amazu Biomimicry consultants, and the Cazoolo team. A five-day sprint brought the teams together to redesign the packaging with a focus on circular economy principles through  biomimicry -a science that draws inspiration from nature's solutions developed over billions of years of evolution. The  Design for Environment (DfE)  methodology was also used, incorporating LCA to map the environmental impact throughout the development process.

"We used dynamic, accelerated innovation processes to arrive at a solution that addressed the brand's challenge with both economic and environmental benefits. By uniting all links in the chain, we reduced risks and worked toward a common goal. We're proud to see another Cazoolo-designed package reach the market," said Yuri Tomina , Head of Cazoolo.

The creation process also involved  3D printing  for high-fidelity prototypes, which was key to validating creative directions, accelerating development, and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. The result is packaging that not only meets technical requirements but also communicates Danone's commitment to the planet.

"At Amazu, we believe nature is the ultimate designer of efficient and sustainable solutions. That's why we joined forces with Danone, Cazoolo, and Graham Packaging, applying the Bio Sprint method to bring biomimicry principles into the creation of more sustainable packaging. Inspired by nature's extraordinary engineering, we developed innovative solutions that balance high performance, innovation, lower environmental impact, and regeneration," said Giane Brocco , CEO of Amazu Biomimicry.

A Commitment to a Circular, Low-Carbon Economy

This initiative reinforces Danone's commitment to  halving the use of virgin fossil-based packaging by 2040 , with a  30% reduction by 2030 . Danone was the first major food and beverage company in Brazil to achieve  B Corp certification  for all its brands and is on track to achieve  global certification by 2025 , aligned with its  One Planet. One Health  vision, which recognizes the interdependence between human and planetary health.

By prioritizing nature-based solutions, Danone not only delivers quality products but also contributes meaningfully to the transition toward a circular, low-carbon economy - a movement that should inspire the entire industry.

"The new 100g packaging reflects our ambition to unite innovation and sustainability at every stage of the value chain. With a nature-inspired design and significant weight reduction, we reinforce Danone's commitment to solutions that generate positive impact - from farm to table. Just as we do with the Flora Journey , promoting regenerative practices and decarbonization in the dairy supply chain, we also strive to innovate in packaging that respects the planet and meets the expectations of increasingly conscious consumers," said Mário Rezende , VP of Operations and Sustainability at Danone Brazil.

About Danone

www.danone.com
Danone is a century-old global leader in the food and beverage sector, operating in health-focused, fast-growing categories aligned with consumer trends. Present in Brazil for 55 years, it operates in  Essential Dairy & Plant-Based Products  and  Specialized Nutrition . With a long-standing mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, Danone promotes healthier and more sustainable eating and consumption practices, committed to positive nutritional, social, and environmental impact.

Danone's  Renew strategy  aims to restore growth, competitiveness, and long-term value creation. With over  90,000 employees  and operations in  more than 120 markets , Danone reported  ?27.4 billion in sales in 2024 . Its portfolio includes leading international brands (such as Actimel, Activia, Danone, Danette, Danoninho) and strong local brands (such as YoPRO, Fortini, Silk, Souvenaid, NutriDay, Milnutri, and Aptanutri). Danone is listed on  Euronext Paris  and trades on the  OTCQX platform  through an ADR program. It is part of major sustainability indices, including those managed by  Moody's ,  Sustainalytics ,  MSCI ESG ,  FTSE4Good ,  Bloomberg Gender Equality Index , and  Access to Nutrition Index .

Danone aims to achieve  global B CorpT certification by 2025 . In Brazil, Danone has been  B CorpT certified since 2021 , reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices, social responsibility, and transparency.