Transform waste into energy for the purpose of energy transition in the food and beverage industry

Transform waste into energy for the purpose of energy transition

In 2007, the Mars group set its plants the target of zero carbon emissions by 2040.

To take up this environmental challenge, it approached SUEZ in 2012.The challenge: Improve the energy performances of its largest French production site at Haguenau in the Bas-Rhin region, whilst at the same time increasing its production capacity.

carbon emissions for the Mars group by 2040

Use local green steam to reduce CO2 emissions

The target set by SUEZ: support the energy transition of the Mars plant in France and provide it with alternative energy sources to fossil fuels to help lower its CO2 emissions.

Transform waste into energy to reduce its impact on the environment is the innovative solution we developed for the Mars group. Since 2014, the Haguenau production site has been running on green energy, produced from the waste from the neighbouring towns, which contributes to achieving the target set by Mars of zero carbon emissions by 2040.

To produce and transport the steam to the Haguenau production site, SUEZ concluded a 15-year partnership relative to the supply of sustainable energy with MARS Chocolat France, ENGIE and the SMITOM in charge of processing the household waste from Haguenau-Saverne.

For Mars, a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

The Haguenau plant is now supplied with green steam through a 1,300-metre heat network connected to the Schweighouse-sur-Moder household waste-to-energy unit. The primary steam, in line with agri-food standards, runs the production units and heats the buildings at the plant. This renewable energy source covers 90% of the plant’s energy needsand avoids the emission of 60% of greenhouse gases.

For the municipality, an efficient, sustainable energy solution

Thanks to the partnership signed with SUEZ, Engie and Mars, the municipal Waste-to-Energy plant optimises its performance.
The local companies also benefit from this green energy at for the same price as energy produced from fossil fuels.

The results

Mars has taken a big step forward towards its target of zero carbon emissions for its plants by 2040: the Green Steam project set up by SUEZ and its partners has enabled the Mars plant at Haguenau to make its energy transition and at the same time bolster its independence.The plant has access to local renewable energy:

which reduces its carbon emissions by 9,000 tonnes/year,
the cost of which depends solely on the cost of converting the waste into energy.

Thanks to the energy produced from the waste of the 220,000 inhabitants of the region, the ecological, sustainable solution conceived for the Mars group also benefits the municipality and neighbouring companies such as Cenpa, a packaging manufacturer, with 50% of its energy needs covered by this green steam.

It allows considerable savings in fuel and raw materials but also makes it possible to reduce the cost of processing household waste.Each local stakeholder thus consolidates its environmental commitment.

100

GWh

The thermal energy supplied each year to the Mars plant at Haguenau by the steam produced from organic waste.

of energy needs covered by green steam at the Mars site at Haguenau.

8,720

tonnes

The annual reduction in CO2 emissions achieved through the use of green steam at the Mars plant at Haguenau.