Dannon's parent company, Danone, buys Denver-based WhiteWave Foods

Dannon yogurt's parent company, Danone, is buying Denver-based WhiteWave, an organic foods company.

WhiteWave owns the brands Horizon, Silk, So Delicious, Alpro, Vega, Wallaby Organic, Earthbound Farm and International Delight brands.

Danone owns several brand names including Dannon, Activia, Actimel, evian, and Oikos.

WhiteWave is a global company which generated $4 billion in sales in 2015, the company said.

The merger will double the size of Danone’s U.S. business, officials said.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to the approval of WhiteWave’s shareholders, regulatory approvals, and customary conditions.

"Together, WhiteWave and Danone will create a truly unique global leader committed to addressing tomorrow’s consumer trends by providing healthy and sustainable eating and drinking options," WhiteWave said in a news release.