Mondelez International, a key player in the food and beverage industry, is set to invest €5m ($5.4m) in the energy efficiency of its Milka chocolate plant in Austria. The US snack giant plans to add heat pumps to reduce the gas consumption of the “traditional chocolate factory” by 65%. These pumps are expected to be operational in the final quarter of the year and are designed to minimize gas consumption at the site by up to 65%. Rene Grundner, technical manager at the factory, expressed his satisfaction with the progress, stating, “With this sustainability project at our factory in Bludenz, we are making a contribution to the energy transition.”
In November 2021, Mondelez committed to a 2050 net-zero emissions target across its full value chain. As part of its efforts to achieve this, the company is focusing on installing energy-efficient technologies and increasing its use of renewable energies. For instance, its 2022 ESG report indicates that 39% of the energy used at its manufacturing facilities that year was generated from renewable sources. Furthermore, Mondelez aims to use only renewable electricity across its manufacturing sites by 2030.
The Bludenz factory, which commenced operations in 1887, plays a vital role in the production of large Milka chocolate bars. It’s worth noting that a quarter of the chocolate bars produced are sold in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), while the rest are exported to “over 30 different countries worldwide.” Currently, the facility has approximately 300 employees.
In line with the industry trend towards sustainability, Kraft Heinz, another US food major, has recently announced plans to explore the development of a green hydrogen plant at one of its factories in the UK.
These strategic moves by Mondelez and Kraft Heinz underscore the food and beverage industry trends focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. As companies in the food and drink business, they are proactively aligning with consumer trends and striving to lead the transition towards a sustainable future.
