Mars expands local pet food production with new $112.6m facility

Mars, Incorporated, has now officially opened its $112.6 million pet food facility in Wodonga, Victoria.

Wet pouch formats is now said to be the fastest-growing segment of the pet food category. The new ‘cat food kitchen’ is therefore designed to produce 290 million pouches of premium wet cat food each year for its brands, which include WHISKAS, DINE, OPTIMUM and ADVANCE.

This expansion means 90% of Mars pet care products sold in Australia and New Zealand will be made locally, strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on imported products.

Located alongside existing Mars operations in Wodonga, the new facility introduces advanced manufacturing technology, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated packaging systems, a hydrostatic cooker and selective use of AI-enabled planning tools to enhance production efficiency and operational flexibility.

Since 2020, Mars has invested more than $450 million across its Australian operations to modernise facilities, improve quality and efficiency, and support a more resilient, low-carbon manufacturing footprint.

The Wodonga site is home to two energy initiatives:

• A commercial concentrated solar thermal (CST) system for steam generation — a $39.3 million project jointly funded by ARENA and Mars. Once complete, the CST will generate renewable steam to meet over 50% of the site’s annual process heat requirements, cutting natural gas use by more than half.
• A commercial-scale electric thermal energy storage (eTES) pilot, which uses renewable electricity to generate and store heat. The system has already reduced gas consumption by 20%, lowering emissions.

Melodie Nye, Managing Director and General Manager Mars Petcare Australia and New Zealand, said the investment reflects the company’s commitment to regional communities, innovation and the future of Australian manufacturing.

“Mars has been part of the Wodonga community since 1967, and this new facility is the next chapter in that story. We’re proud to keep investing here — in local jobs, in Australian manufacturing, and in the people who make this place what it is.”

The opening follows the company’s recently announced $200 million investment in Australian manufacturing through to 2027, part of a broader program to expand capacity, fuel innovation and advance the company’s renewable energy ambitions.