Mars’ €1 billion EU investment: A summary
- Mars will invest €1 billion in EU operations by 2026
- Focus areas include manufacturing upgrades, sustainability and product innovation
- €250 million goes to modernising its chocolate factory in Poland
- Mars has cut global emissions 16% while growing business 69%
- Investments support 24 EU factories and 25,000 direct employees
Mars, Inc. has announced plans to plough €1bn into manufacturing operations across the European Union by the end of 2026.
The confectionery giant says it wants to strengthen the region’s manufacturing capabilities, sustainability and innovation pipeline, and increase economic resilience.
This investment builds on the more than €1.5bn Mars has already pumped into EU manufacturing over the past five years. That money was spent modernising facilities, increasing production capacity and accelerating efforts to decarbonise its value chain.
These investments, say Mars, support the company’s 24 factories across 10 EU countries and the 25,000 people it employs in its direct operations. Eighty five percent of Mars products sold in the EU are produced locally. It’s also a major export hub, supplying over 100 markets around the world.
“We take a long-term view,” says Claus Aagaard, CFO of Mars. “We believe in Europe and we would like to see more growth for the benefit of consumers in the EU economies. Our investments are designed to keep our operations world-class, competitive and aligned with the EU’s long-term priorities.”
Aagaard goes on to explain that this is about more than just growth, it’s about building a “stronger, more resilient business in Europe” delivering increased innovation to consumers, value to suppliers, and a lasting, positive impacts to surrounding communities.
Highlights of Mars’ EU investment:
- Modernisation to meet consumer demands: Mars is focusing on modernising its manufacturing footprint across the EU – upgrading facilities to boost efficiency, product quality and consumer innovation. The company is investing around €250m into its chocolate factory in Janaszówek, Poland, to bring “state-of-the-art” automation to operations and increase site capacity by 63%.
- Decarbonising the value chain to improve sustainability and production resilience: Mars has reduced its scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by more than 16% globally since 2015, while the business has grown 69%. To continue this, Mars is embedding environmental initiatives across key stages of its value chain. In 2022, its ice cream factory in Steinbourg, France – home to Snickers, Twix and Bounty ice cream bars – became powered entirely by renewable electricity, the first Mars site globally to become fossil-fuel free. Similarly, its pet nutrition facility in Lithuania has installed a new pouch production line powered solely by renewable electricity. Beyond manufacturing, Mars is tackling agricultural emissions with a $47m Moo’ving Dairy Forward Plan, helping to cut methane emissions across multiple EU Member States, including the Netherlands.
- Strengthening local partnerships and economies: Mars has a long history of sourcing and innovating with local partners – from farmers and suppliers to technology providers – aimed at strengthening local economies and supporting communities. This year alone, the maker of big-name brands including M&Ms, Twix, Snickers and Starburst, has put more than €100m towards modernising and digitising its industrial sites in France.
Mars’ bets big on Europe
As Mars doubles down on its commitment to the EU, the confectionery powerhouse is positioning itself not only as a leader in sweet treats but also as a catalyst for sustainable growth, innovation, and community resilience.
With €1bn earmarked for transformative investment, the company is reinforcing its belief in the region’s potential – and its own role in shaping a future where business success goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and local empowerment.
Mars-Kellanova merger
Claus Aagaard has confirmed that there is “no direct link” between Mars’ investment plans and the merger investigation, but he remains “confident” the deal will be approved.
