Mars’ Wodonga site will become the first large-scale steam-based manufacturing facility in Australia, powered entirely by renewable energy.
The pioneering shift towards sustainability at its Wodonga pet food facility, which produces Pedigree and Whiskas, will see it deploy a 100 per cent renewable energy solution, for both electricity and steam, within the next two years.
The project was unveiled during a site visit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, where Craig Sargeant, General Manager of Mars Petcare Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the significance of the move.
“We are incredibly proud to announce that Mars will be the first manufacturing facility of its kind in Australia to deploy a 100 per cent renewable energy solution within two years.
“Decarbonising site-based process heat, coupled with Mars Australia’s 100 per cent renewable electricity use, is a significant achievement that not only reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability but also positions our Wodonga facility as a leader in green process heat manufacturing on a national scale.”
The project involves a $39.3 million investment in a Solar Thermal Plant, which includes an 18-megawatt Parabolic Trough Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) system capable of storing up to 10 hours of thermal energy. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has granted $17.2 million toward this effort, marking CST’s first commercial deployment in the country.
“Investing in renewable energy technologies like CST is critical to decarbonising industrial processes, particularly in sectors that heavily rely on gas for steam-based manufacturing,” added Sargeant. “CST offers a powerful solution by capturing and storing solar energy, in the form of high temperature heat, for use at any time, making it an ideal fit for our steam-based manufacturing needs.”
The facility will also leverage Electric Thermal Energy Storage (eTES) technology, enabling Mars to use renewable grid-connected electricity at off-peak times to produce and store heat for steam generation at any hour. Supported by CSIRO, this system offers a renewable alternative to traditional gas usage.
Mars is also collaborating with the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) to purchase Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin certificates from Hydrogen Park Murray Valley, which will replace over 10 per cent of Mars Australia’s gas usage, including at the Wodonga facility.
“For Mars, the CST and eTES systems are complementary renewable heat technologies. With the addition of the AGIG hydrogen purchase, and Mars Australia’s existing 100 per cent renewable electricity agreement, the Wodonga facility will deploy a 100 per cent renewable energy solution within two years,” said Sargeant.
Earlier this year, Mars announced a 16 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its global value chain since 2015. Sargeant shared that this Wodonga project is a crucial step toward Mars’ Net Zero Roadmap, with a goal of reducing emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
Mars has manufactured pet food in Wodonga for over 50 years, contributing to the regional economy.
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