Ecotone

What Ecotone does

Ecotone is a privately held European food company headquartered in Saint-Genis-Laval (Lyon), France, operating a 16-brand portfolio of organic and plant-based products across France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The group was created in November 2020 when Wessanen, its predecessor, rebranded, relocated corporate headquarters from the Netherlands to France, and adopted 'société à mission' (mission-led company) status under the French PACTE law with the stated purpose of 'Food for Biodiversity'. The portfolio spans dairy alternatives, breakfast cereals, biscuits, bars, snacks, soups, ready meals, spreads, coffee, tea, chocolate, and stock cubes — with 84% of SKUs organic-certified and 97% plant-based. Category-leading brand assets include Bjorg (France), Clipper (UK), Bonneterre (France), Allos (Germany), Alter Eco (France), Isola Bio (Italy), El Granero Integral (Spain), and Zonnatura (Netherlands), most of which carry decades of heritage.

Underlying technology centers on eight manufacturing centers in seven European countries, with the flagship Badia Polesine plant-based beverage facility in Italy producing 120 million liters annually across five production lines, featuring Industry 4.0 intralogistics (laser-guided vehicles, 50% human-free palletizing). The company also invested €10 million in the 'Caféière' — Europe's largest organic coffee and tea factory — inaugurated in October 2023. Sourcing relies on a dedicated Italian organic supply network of 100+ producers across 4,500 hectares of pesticide-free cultivation cultivating 35+ plant species to support biodiversity and dietary diversity.

The business model is B2B2C distribution through three primary channels: (i) European health food store networks (SMB retailers where brands like Bjorg, Bonneterre, Allos, El Granero, and Isola Bio hold category leadership), (ii) mainstream grocery retail (Kallø into UK ambient, Little Lunch into German grocery, Zonnatura into Dutch grocery, Bjorg into French grocery), and (iii) brand-owned and third-party e-commerce. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Revenue is generated through one-time retail product sales across organic food, plant-based beverages, fair-trade coffee/tea, and ready-to-eat meals. Customer concentration is distributed across thousands of independent health food retailers and several major grocers across seven countries, with KP Snacks (Intersnack Group) entering the picture as a buyer (not customer) following the November 2024 Whole Earth Foods divestiture. The company is led by CEO Christophe Barnouin and operates with no public listing or external funding rounds disclosed.

Name

Ecotone

Legal name

ECOTONE FRANCE

Website

https://ecotone.bio

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Ecotone is a France-headquartered European organic and plant-based food company operating a 16-brand portfolio across 7 countries, generating €710M revenue. It produces dairy alternatives, cereals, snacks, beverages, coffee, and ready meals through 8 manufacturing facilities, sold via health food stores, grocery retail, and e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Plant-Based Foods

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing (311991), Other Food Manufacturing (3119)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Plant-Based & Dairy Alternative Beverages (Oat, Almond, Soy, etc.) (CRADAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant-Based Beverage Production (Oat/Soy/Almond, etc.) (AFAFABAI), Plant-Based Prepared Meals & Convenience Foods Manufacturing (AFAKAGAL), Functional Snacks & Bars Manufacturing (High-Protein, High-Fiber, Probiotic Snacks) (AFAKAJAG), Gluten-Free & Specialty Grain-Based Foods Manufacturing (GF pasta/cereals, ancient grains) (AFAKABAK), Organic & Natural Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Organic food products
• Plant-based beverages
• Fair trade tea
• Vegetarian spreads
• Biodiversity agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-genis-laval

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Organic and Plant-Based Food Products: Revenue from sale of organic cereals, snacks, spreads, meat alternatives, and prepared foods through 16 purpose-driven brands including Bjorg, Bonneterre, Clipper, Allos, Alter Eco, and others
2. Plant-Based Beverages: Revenue from organic plant-based beverages (oat, almond, rice drinks) produced at Badia Polesine facility with 120 million liters annual capacity
3. Fair Trade Coffee and Tea: Revenue from fair trade and organic coffee and tea products including the Caféière organic roasting facility
4. Organic Ready-to-Eat Meals: Revenue from organic ready-to-eat meals, fruit purees, and Japanese products (miso) from Danival brand

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ecotone manufactures and sells organic and plant-based food and beverage products across Europe through 16 purpose-driven brands including Bjorg, Clipper, Bonneterre, Allos, Alter Eco, Isola Bio, Little Lunch, and others. The company operates 8 manufacturing centers in 7 countries, producing categories spanning dairy alternatives, breakfast cereals, snacks, coffee, tea, spreads, ready-to-eat meals, and meat alternatives. 84% of products are certified organic and 97% are plant-based.

Product overview

Ecotone is a European organic and plant-based food company organized as a multi-brand portfolio platform with 16 brands across 7 European countries. The company operates 8 manufacturing centers in 7 countries and generates €710M in turnover, with 84% organic products and 97% plant-based offerings. Brands include Bjorg (France's organic leader), Clipper (UK's largest fair trade tea), Bonneterre, Allos, Alter Eco, Abbot Kinney's, Danival, Destination, Ecocesta, El Granero Integral, Isola Bio, Kallø, Little Lunch, Tartex, and Zonnatura, spanning categories across dairy alternatives, cereals, snacks, beverages, chocolate, coffee, tea, spreads, and ready-to-eat meals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bjorg: Leader and pioneer of the organic market in France, focusing on healthier foods spanning dairy-free drinks, vegetable cooking aids, breakfast cereals, biscuits and meat alternatives
• Clipper
• Bonneterre
• Allos
• Alter Eco
• Abbot Kinney's
• Danival
• Destination
• Ecocesta
• El Granero Integral
• Isola Bio
• Kallø
• Little Lunch
• Tartex
• Zonnatura

Products and services

• Bjorg
• Clipper
• Bonneterre
• Allos
• Alter Eco
• Abbot Kinney's
• Danival
• Destination
• Ecocesta
• El Granero Integral
• Isola Bio
• Kallø
• Little Lunch
• Tartex
• Zonnatura
• Plant-Based Beverages (oat, almond, rice drinks)
• Kallø Puffed Oat Cakes

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of products are plant-based
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AfterrescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership since 2021 supporting research on agricultural and food system scenarios to achieve zero net biodiversity loss in France by 2050. Led to creation of first interactive pesticide map of France showing pesticide use by region and crop type.
• Le Fonds pour l'ArbrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership since founding in 2020 for restoration of rural hedgerows degraded by intensive agriculture. Ecotone Foundation supports tree planting initiatives with goal of regenerating 750,000 km of hedgerows by 2050. 2,436 km of hedgerows planted since 2020.
• SolagrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Solagro, an association engaged in agroecological and food transition. Collaboration includes development of France's first interactive pesticide map (Adonis) and first Index of Pesticides Avoided (IPE) to measure biodiversity impact.
• Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SBTN Corporate Engagement Program since May 2021. Collaboration with global coalition of environmental experts and NGOs to use scientific solutions for measuring and reducing corporate environmental impacts on biodiversity.
• QuantisminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExpert consulting collaboration to assess biodiversity impact of Ecotone's five main commodities. Preliminary study completed to understand value chain impacts and strengthen biodiversity strategy.
• PurProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean reforestation partner receiving donations from CARE Awards ceremony. Collaboration on biodiversity conservation initiatives.
• Sorwathe Tea FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRwanda tea cooperative partner receiving donations from CARE Awards ceremony. Supports biodiversity-friendly tea cultivation.
• HeiveldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian cooperative partner receiving donations from CARE Awards ceremony. Supports sustainable farming and biodiversity projects.
• Fondation de FrancecoreOthersEcotone Foundation established under the guardianship of Fondation de France in 2018. 100% dedicated to biodiversity with 10 board members overseeing projects in France and internationally.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxN6VRfnibHihS3_9SPQU1w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weareecotonebiodiversity
• Xx.com/Ecotone_

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A9 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ecotone