Danone has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of shares in Earth Island, the maker of Follow Your Heart brands and plant-based foods.

The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

Earth Island is a company that has been constantly innovating and growing and has been committed towards nutrition, sustainability and environmental stewardship.

This acquisition will enable Danone to bolster its plant-based business.

Earth Island was founded in 1988 and owns dairy-free and egg-free mayonnaise brand Vegenaise.

It produces shredded and sliced plant-based cheese, grated and shredded plant-based parmesan and cream cheese alternatives.

Earth Island also manufactures plant-based sour cream, salad dressings, and VeganEgg under Follow Your Heart portfolio.

Following this deal, Earth Island will be able to speed up the growth of its Follow Your Heart brand in the US and in overseas markets, along with Danone’s plant-based brands, including Alpro, Silk and So Delicious Dairy Free.

Earth Island co-founder and CEO Bob Goldberg  said: “Our mission has always been to produce the best plant-based food products and to make them available to as many people as possible. We’re very pleased to be joining the Danone family of plant-based companies in a collective effort to bring positive change in the world through the creation of sustainably and responsibly-made foods.”

Danone North America CEO and EVP Shane Grant said: “We are delighted to welcome Follow Your Heart’s team to our amazing team at Danone. The Follow Your Heart family shares our commitment to producing high-quality products that delight consumers while contributing to the wellbeing of People and Planet.

“Consumers are increasingly eating flexitarian diets, and we look forward to working with the Follow Your Heart team to offer our consumers even more choices. This partnership will build on our success in plant-based beverages, yogurt alternatives and creamers, further accelerating the growth of our North American plant-based business.”

This acquisition comes as Danone aims to increase its worldwide sales from more than €2bn last year to €5bn by 2025.

The deal is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals.