Mars Wrigley chews up plastic waste with $6.5 million Asquith factory upgrade

Mars Wrigley Australia has invested $6.5 million in a new production line to boost its gum and mints manufacturing capacity by more than 60 per cent while cutting plastic waste.

The upgrade announced on Monday, at its Asquith factory in NSW, will will increase local production of popular Extra gum bottle varieties including Spearmint, White Spearmint, Intense Mint, Peppermint, White Peppermint, White Bubblemint and Strawberry.

The investment also incorporates circular packaging technology that will eliminate 13 tonnes of soft plastics annually. That’s the equivalent to removing about 2,200 kilometres – or the distance between Sydney and Wellington, NZ – of plastic wrap a year.

“This investment provides significant additional capacity to deliver the products our customers love and enjoy,” said Mars Wrigley Australia Plant Manager, Daniel Firth. “Our engineers and packaging technologists have been able to deploy new technology to remove around 2,200 kilometres of soft-plastic wrap per year.”

The Asquith facility, which employs 190 people, has operated continuously since 1958 and manufactures all locally made Mars Wrigley gum and mints sold in Australia, including Extra, Eclipse, PK and Juicy Fruit.

Mars Wrigley has deep roots in Australia, having manufactured here since 1915 when the Wrigley company first established a factory in Melbourne. The company now operates six manufacturing sites across NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

“The Asquith site is an incredibly important part of our business and Mars’ history in Australia,” said Mars Wrigley Australia General Manager, Michael Ryan. “This investment signifies our continued belief in the growth potential of the category, and also our belief in local manufacturing.”

Image: Supplied