Mars Chocolate Factory In The Netherlands Opens Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment Plant To Help Power Its Operations

Innovative plant, the first on the European continent, opens as part of Mars, Incorporated’s ‘Sustainable in a Generation’ approach to minimize the impacts of its operations on the environment
Nov 7, 2014 5:35 PM ET

Veghel, Netherlands, November 7, 2014 /3BL Media/ -  Mars Chocolate Veghel is proud to announce the official opening of a brand new anaerobic wastewater treatment plant, the first of its kind in Europe. The innovative treatment plant purifies 99% of wastewater though a biological process, using cutting edge anaerobic Memthane technology. The biogas released during this process generates energy that helps to power the onsite chocolate factory.

The innovative plant opens as part of Mars, Incorporated’s ‘Sustainable in a Generation’ approach and goals, which aim to minimize the impacts of its operations on the environment, marks another significant step towards its goal of reaching 100% sustainable operations by 2040. Read more about how we seek to understand and prioritize the impacts of our business.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mars Chocolate’s Global Vice President Supply Chain, Nici Bush and Deputy Mayor of the Veghel municipality, Annemieke van de Ven, and 70 Mars Associates and business partners.

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

For more information about Mars, Incorporated, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars, linkedin.com/company/mars