The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €50 million loan to support the growth and modernization programme of French dairy cooperative Lact’Union. The financing will help strengthen industrial capacity, upgrade facilities, and accelerate the company’s transition toward more sustainable production.
The investment is part of Lact’Union’s 2026–2029 development programme and will support industrial improvements at its sites in Abbeville and Braine, Hauts-de-France. Backed by the European InvestEU programme, the financing aims to improve production efficiency, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen France’s food industry resilience.
The loan will be provided to Lactinov Services SAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lact’Union, to finance investments focused on expanding production capacity, introducing new technologies, improving food safety systems, and reducing carbon emissions linked to dairy manufacturing processes.
The project will also allow Lact’Union to strengthen its position in higher-value market segments, particularly liquid nutritional products, while improving energy efficiency and supporting innovation across its operations.
The EIB highlighted that the partnership reflects its commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture, regional development, and the transition toward a low-carbon economy. The investment is expected to contribute to employment and economic activity in rural areas while strengthening the competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.
Lact’Union representatives stated that the financing will help accelerate the modernization of production facilities, improve industrial performance, develop innovative products, and prepare the cooperative for long-term sustainable growth.
As a major cooperative in northern France, Lact’Union brings together more than 530 cooperative members, processes around 230 million litres of milk annually, and employs approximately 500 people across its industrial sites. The investment programme is also expected to create additional employment opportunities in the region.
The EIB’s support forms part of its wider strategy to finance agriculture and the bioeconomy across Europe, promoting climate action, sustainable food production, innovation, and stronger regional economies.
