Steam generated from a nearby incineration facility burning household waste is transferred to Mars’ Haguenau factory via 1.2km of underground pipes. The heat is used mainly for melting chocolate to produce M&M’s and to heat the buildings. It has reduced the factory’s carbon dioxide emissions by 8700 tonnes annually and its emissions from energy consumption by 60%.
The green steam system now meets 90% of the steam requirement of Mars Chocolat France. To achieve Mars’ target of zero carbon emissions by 2040, the next step will be to cover 100% of plant demand with locally-generated green steam.