Mars, the producer of several brands of candy and pet food, announced that its plant located in Wodonga, Australia, will become the first large-scale steam production center in the country powered entirely by renewable energy by 2026. This project, which will allow Mars to drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, is in line with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Sustainable pet food production
With an investment of $39.3 million, Mars will install a concentrated solar thermal (CST) system at its Wodonga plant, designed to capture and store thermal energy for up to 10 hours, optimising pet food production . The new plant will feature 18-megawatt parabolic troughs and will be supported by a $17.2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), marking the first commercial deployment of this technology in Australia.
In addition to the CST, Mars will integrate the electric thermal energy storage (eTES) system , a technology that allows the plant to generate and store heat using renewable electricity during off-peak hours . Backed by CSIRO , this system provides an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to gas , ensuring a continuous and sustainable source of energy for its operations.
Commitment to the future of industry in Australia
Craig Sargeant, General Manager of Mars Petcare Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and its role in the local community.
We are proud to announce this initiative, which not only positions our plant as a pioneer in renewable energy, but also reinforces our environmental responsibility towards a cleaner future in Australia.
In addition, Mars has signed agreements to purchase renewable gas from Hydrogen Park Murray Valley, which will replace more than 10% of its gas consumption in the country .
This project is a crucial step in Mars’ Net Zero roadmap and builds on the 16% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved by the company since 2015.
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Source: Mars
Main photo: shutterstock
Internal photo: CSIRO
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