Mars Ireland partners with PRL to launch Net Zero warehouse in Dublin
Print6 September 2024
Mars Ireland has announced a three-year partnership with PRL, and the opening of a new Net Zero operating warehouse in Dublin.
Under the partnership agreement, PRL will provide Logistics, Distribution, Freight, Sales and Marketing solutions to Mars Ireland.
The new distribution centre promises net-zero operations, facilitated by the installation of on-site renewable energy sources, the use of HVO in all PRL delivery vehicles, and energy optimisations such as modern LED lighting, activation sensors, and light harvesting methodologies.
Cutting emissions
This onsite generation will generate a minimum of 30% of all electricity used at the facility, with the remaining electricity demand to be supplemented with off-site renewable generation.
Transport emissions will also dramatically reduce by an estimated 90%, thanks to the use of HVO diesel, while EV charging will also be made available on site.
These measures will see the warehouse operate at net-zero emissions, marking a major milestone in Mars Ireland’s net-zero journey.
Mars’ new warehouse will sit on a 5.67 hectares site which is rich in biodiversity and is within a 240,000 sq. ft. net-zero PRL warehousing complex.
This net-zero operating warehouse supports Mars’ global ‘Sustainable in a Generation’ strategy, which commits the global food giant to reducing total GHG emissions across its value chain by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
The first progress report of this strategy, published in late July, showed that in 2023 the company achieved a record 8% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, doubling its total GHG reduction to 16% across its full value chain and delivering its largest single year reduction in GHG emissions against its 2015 baseline.
Shared sustainability ambitions
“At Mars we understand that sustainability needs to be embedded across all aspects of the supply chain to deliver meaningful impact,” said Jeff Johansson, North Europe Supply Chain director, Mars.
Johansson noted that choosing a partner that shares the same ambitions as Mars has been crucial and is the latest in a series of transformative steps that they will be taking to achieve their ambitions of Net Zero.
“We understand the impact our operations can have on the environment and our planet and are committed to minimising this impact by investing in renewable energy sources and new technologies,” said Violet Devereux, chief executive officer, PRL.
Devereux notes that when PRL heard about Mars’ ambitions for their new distribution partner, they were inspired to develop their first ever net-zero operating warehouse.
“This new 240,000 sq. ft. warehouse complex marks the latest step in PRL’s environmental impact journey – in early 2024 we transitioned to 100% use of HVO in our transport fleet, resulting in a reduction of transport emissions by some 90%. ”
Mars Ireland currently employs some 60 associates across its business in Ireland, and last year recorded a €13.8m profit after tax.
Read more: Mars Ireland announces partnership with SOS Children’s Villages in ‘Chew for Change’ campaign
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