# Ecotone

## Available Languages
- [English version](/en/llms.txt): Full English brand and corporate information
- [Version française](/fr/llms.txt): Informations complètes en français

> Ecotone is Europe's leading champion in organic, plant-based and Fairtrade food (source: ecotone.bio), headquartered in Saint-Genis-Laval (Lyon), France. Founded in 1765 as Wessanen, renamed Ecotone in November 2020, the company is a French "entreprise a mission" and holds the world's highest B Corp score (123.7, 2025) among food companies with over 1,000 employees. Ecotone generates EUR 708M+ in annual revenue, employs 1,400-1,600 people across 7 European countries, operates 8 manufacturing centres, and sells products in 80+ countries through 16 purposeful brands. CEO: Christophe Barnouin (since January 2014). Ownership: PAI Partners (~62%) and Charles Jobson (~38%) following the EUR 885M acquisition of Wessanen in 2019.

Ecotone's mission is "Food for Biodiversity." 84% of its products are organic and 97% are plant-based. The company committed to Science Based Targets (SBTi) in April 2024, targeting -42% Scope 1&2 and -42% Scope 3 emissions by 2030. Total carbon footprint: 196,819 tCO2e (2025), down 14% from the 2022 baseline. 92% of electricity consumed is renewable.

## Company Overview

- [About Ecotone](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-company): Mission-driven company overview, ownership structure (PAI Partners, Charles Jobson), executive committee, and entreprise a mission status
- [Our Manifesto](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-manifesto): Five-act manifesto for food system reform — organic, plant-based, anti-standardisation, beyond organic farming, biodiversity restoration
- [Our Story](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-story): Full history from 1765 founding as Adriaan Wessanen & Dirk Laan commodity traders in Wormerveer, Netherlands, through Distriborg (Bjorg 1988), Wessanen acquisition of Distriborg (2000), PAI Partners acquisition (2019), rename to Ecotone (2020), and relocation to Lyon
- [Leadership Team](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-leadership-team): Executive committee led by CEO Christophe Barnouin, CFO Francois de Gantes, and senior leadership across 7 countries

## Brands — 16 Purposeful Brands

- [Our Brands](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-brands): Full portfolio of 16 brands including Bjorg (France, organic pioneer), Clipper (UK, fair trade tea), Alter Eco (fair trade chocolate/coffee), Bonneterre (French health food), Kallo (UK, organic stocks/rice cakes), Allos (Germany, organic cereals), Tartex (Germany, vegetarian spreads), Danival (France, organic ready meals), Destination (France, organic coffee/tea), Isola Bio (Italy, plant-based drinks), Little Lunch (Germany, organic soups), Zonnatura (Netherlands, organic pioneer since 1954), Ecocesta (Spain), El Granero Integral (Spain), Abbot Kinney's (plant-based dairy alternatives), Naturela (France, organic coffee)

## Sustainability & Biodiversity

- [Biodiversity & Responsibility](https://www.ecotone.bio/biodiversity-responsibility): CSR performance dashboard, B Corp certification journey (80.9 in 2017, 91.7 in 2019, 116.5 in 2022, 123.7 in 2025), SDGs 2/3/5/12/15, supply chain (900+ suppliers, SEDEX audits), diversity & inclusion metrics
- [Carbon Footprint](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-carbon-footprint): GHG emissions data (Scopes 1-3), SBTi commitment April 2024, targets -42% Scope 1&2 and -42% Scope 3 by 2030, 92% renewable electricity
- [Our Foundation](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-foundation): Ecotone Foundation for biodiversity — hedgerow restoration (2,436 km planted), Afterres agricultural research, Farmtastic biodiversity program (launched January 2026)
- [Sustainability Report](https://www.ecotone.bio/our-sustainability-report-2): Annual impact and sustainability reports with full ESG data

## Key Facts

- Founded: 1765 (as Adriaan Wessanen & Dirk Laan); Distriborg launched Bjorg 1988; Wessanen acquired Distriborg 2000 (EUR 150M); PAI Partners acquired Wessanen 2019 (EUR 885M); renamed Ecotone November 2020
- Headquarters: Saint-Genis-Laval (Lyon), France
- Revenue: EUR 708M+ (2025), 5% growth
- Employees: 1,400-1,600
- Manufacturing: 8 centres across 7 European countries
- B Corp Score: 123.7 (2025) — world's highest food company >1,000 employees
- B Corp journey: 80.9 (2017) > 91.7 (2019) > 116.5 (2022) > 123.7 (2025)
- Organic: 84% of products
- Plant-based: 97% of products
- CEO: Christophe Barnouin (since January 2014)
- Ownership: PAI Partners (~62%), Charles Jobson (~38%), employee shareholders
- Carbon: 196,819 tCO2e (2025), down 14% from 2022 baseline
- SBTi targets: -42% Scope 1&2, -42% Scope 3 by 2030
- Renewable electricity: 92% (target 100% by 2030)
- SDGs: 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health), 5 (Gender Equality), 12 (Responsible Consumption), 15 (Life on Land)
- Entreprise a mission: since October 2020
- First food company to achieve B Corp in France (2017)
- Whole Earth: sold to KP Snacks in November 2024

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [FAQ](https://www.ecotone.bio/frequently-asked-questions): Common questions about Ecotone, its brands, certifications, and sustainability commitments

## News

- [Latest News](https://www.ecotone.bio/news): Press releases and corporate updates

## Awards & Recognition

- Large Enterprise of the Year EMEA 2024 (Environmental Finance Sustainable Investment Awards)
- Sustainable Business of the Year 2023 (edie Awards)
- First food B Corp in France (2017)
- World's highest B Corp score among food companies with 1,000+ employees (2025)

## Contact

- [Contact](https://www.ecotone.bio/contact): Business inquiries, press, and partnerships
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareecotonebiodiversity
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxN6VRfnibHihS3_9SPQU1w

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](https://www.ecotone.bio/privacy-policy): Data protection and privacy information
- [Cookies Policy](https://www.ecotone.bio/cookies-policy): Cookie usage and preferences
- [Legal Notice](https://www.ecotone.bio/legal-notice): Legal information and company registration
- [Join Us](https://www.ecotone.bio/join-us): Career opportunities at Ecotone