The Cow & Gate range

We are a member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green, the Irish food industry’s sustainability programme. It is the world’s only national food and drink sustainability program uniting Government, food producers and the private sector.* 

We are proud to support Ireland’s grass-based dairy production and family farming tradition.

This important milestone is a step towards achieving Danone’s company goal of net zero by 2050.

The plant manufactures high-quality baby formula whilst curbing carbon emissions: the plant sources 100% renewable electricity and uses a biomass boiler powered by sustainable wood fuels. This has resulted in over 11,000 tons of CO₂ savings compared to the plant’s emissions in 2010, representing an 80% reduction in its direct carbon footprint. It is the equivalent of taking 5,000 cars off the road.^

Carbon neutrality is certified annually by independent bodies, like the Carbon Trust, using an international standard PAS2060 verifying that an organisation is committing to reducing their annual emissions whilst using verified carbon credits to offset the remaining amount.  

Today manufacturing of our standard powdered formula milks takes place in both Wexford & Macroom. Wexford and Macroom are two important production sites in the Danone network and key locations for new product launches and innovation.

Local Impact:

• Danone employs a total of almost 700 people in Ireland, across our two baby formula production sites in Macroom and Wexford and offices in Dublin.
• We support local dairy co-operative suppliers and are situated in one of the world’s leading sustainable grass-fed dairy sectors.*
• Supporting the local economy: the sustainable wood fuel powering the boiler is sourced from the local wood chipping industry, also delivering a positive economic impact in Wexford County. 
•  The powdered milk used in Cow & Gate Follow-On and Toddler milks is sourced from Irish dairy cows.

Other Commitments:

• We are a member of the Repak Plastics Pledge. We're acting to meet objectives which are designed to: reduce plastic packaging, ensure packaging is recyclable or reusable and minimise food waste by 2025.
• Signatories of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, seeking to protect Ireland’s biodiversity.
• We are proud to be a certified B Corp, meaning we are part of a community that believes business is a force for good for people and the planet.
• Our Macroom and Wexford factories are achieving zero-waste to landfill: All waste from production processes or packaging materials is recovered. Our Wexford factory has achieved certification to the prestigious ISO 50001 International Energy Management Standard.