Mars, the confectionary and food products manufacturing giant, says it plans to invest €1 billion in its European Union operations by the end of 2026.
The company says the investment is aimed at strengthening the region’s manufacturing capabilities, sustainability and innovation pipeline, and increasing its economic resilience.
This new investment builds on more than €1.5 billion Mars has invested in EU manufacturing over the past five years, modernising facilities, increasing production capacity and accelerating efforts to decarbonise its value chain.
These investments support the company’s 24 factories across 10 EU countries and the 25,000 people it employs in its direct operations.
Some 85 percent of Mars products sold in the EU are produced locally within the EU, which is also an export hub to over 100 markets around the world.
Claus Aagaard, CFO for Mars, says: “We take a long-term view – 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.
“For Mars, this is about more than just growth. It’s also about building a stronger, more resilient business in Europe – one that delivers more innovation to consumers, delivers value for thousands of our European suppliers, and creates lasting, positive impacts in the communities where we operate.”
Highlights of Mars EU investment plans include:
Manufacturing modernisation to meet consumer demands
Mars is investing significantly in modernising its manufacturing footprint across the EU – upgrading facilities to boost efficiency, product quality and consumer innovation from new packaging technologies such as Whiskas recyclable pouch to new gum formats such as Extra/Orbit Refreshers.
For example, between 2023-2027, we are investing around €250 million into our chocolate factory in Janaszówek, Poland, to bring state-of-the-art automation to our operations and increase site capacity by 63 percent.
The site – which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month – is central to our growth ambition in the region.
Decarbonising the value chain to improve sustainability and production resilience
Mars globally has reduced its scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by more than 16 percent since 2015, while the business has grown 69 percent.
To continue the decoupling of growth from emissions, 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, the company’s pet nutrition facility in Lithuania has installed a state-of-the-art pouch production line powered solely by renewable electricity.
Beyond manufacturing, Mars is tackling agricultural emissions with a $47 million 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.
For example, in 2025, Mars announced more than €100 million to modernise and digitise its industrial sites in France, strengthening local employment while supporting our Net Zero journey.
