Danone and AgroParisTech sign a framework agreement on collaboration
June 05 2026In response to food, agricultural and climate challenges, Danone, a leading food company, and AgroParisTech, a higher education institution specialising in life and environmental sciences, signed a framework agreement on 2 June 2026 dedicated to research, innovation and talent development. This cooperation is based on a shared ambition: to accelerate the development of concrete solutions to support the transition of food and agricultural models, in the interests of health and the environment, whilst strengthening links between the academic world and industry.
Developing concrete innovations based on research
The primary aim of this agreement is to strengthen scientific collaboration between teams at Danone’s Global Research and Innovation Centre and those at AgroParisTech, with a view to facilitating the transition from research to operational applications. This collaboration will result in the development of joint research projects, particularly through CIFRE theses and joint scientific programmes. The two partners thus aim to promote knowledge transfer and accelerate the commercialisation of research results to support the transition of the food and agricultural sectors.
The agreement will rely in particular on access to specific infrastructure and experimental facilities. AgroParisTech will mobilise its technology platforms, the Food Hall, the experimental restaurant and the Food’InnLab.
Beyond research projects, this collaboration will also strengthen the sharing of scientific knowledge on issues relating to food, agriculture and environmental transition.
Victoire Dairou, Managing Director of the Danone Global Research & Innovation Centre Paris-Saclay“This agreement with AgroParisTech reflects a shared ambition: to make Paris-Saclay a centre of scientific excellence in food science, to train the talent of tomorrow, and to accelerate the development of innovations that promote health and more sustainable food systems.”
Strengthening the links between students and the challenges facing the sector’s transformation
Through this partnership, Danone and AgroParisTech also aim to bring students closer to the realities and changes of the professional world.
The agreement therefore provides for the development of opportunities for work placements, work-study schemes and the recruitment of recent graduates, as well as greater involvement by Danone teams in the training of students, both in undergraduate and vocational courses, in order to develop an understanding of practical issues. It will support certain scholarship programmes via the AgroParisTech Foundation, notably as part of the FIPDES programme, a European Master’s degree dedicated to training international talent capable of developing sustainable, healthy and accessible food solutions.
The two partners also aim to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship within the AgroParisTech ecosystem. Danone will be able to contribute to the support of start-ups backed by the school and participate in its incubation and innovation schemes. The group will also be involved through mentoring initiatives, masterclasses and participation on selection panels, as part of its efforts to provide expertise to start-ups.
Laurent Buisson, Chief Executive of AgroParisTech“By bringing together academic research, industrial innovation and training on a long-term basis, this partnership will help to accelerate the development of practical solutions to major food and environmental challenges.”
Against a backdrop of growing challenges relating to climate change, food sovereignty and the transformation of agricultural and food systems, Danone and AgroParisTech aim to build a long-term partnership focused on research, innovation and training. The aim is to accelerate the development of practical solutions derived from research.