Mars, Incorporated today unveiled a new “designed to be recyclable” pouch for its WHISKAS® wet cat food, replacing the brand’s former multi-material packaging with a mono-polypropylene (PP) structure compatible with existing and emerging PET recycling streams.
The switch to a single-polymer format slashes the pouch’s carbon footprint by 46% compared with the previous multi-material design and retains the heat-resistant properties required for high-temperature sterilization during production. By eliminating aluminum and mixed plastic layers, the new packaging simplifies the recycling process for consumers and waste-management facilities alike.
Initial roll-out targets the WHISKAS® Tasty Mix Country Collection 12-pack, now available through all UK retailers and via Rewe supermarkets in Germany, with plans to extend the format to additional SKUs and markets by the end of 2026. Mars is also collaborating with packaging suppliers and recycling partners to ensure collection and processing infrastructure is in place to maximize material recovery.
This innovation underpins Mars’ “Sustainable in a Generation” plan, which rests on three pillars: eliminating unnecessary packaging, redesigning for circularity, and investing to close the loop on packaging waste. The company has earmarked further R&D and capital expenditure to accelerate adoption of recyclable solutions across its pet nutrition portfolio
“We want to contribute to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste. The transition to mono-material pouches has required ground-breaking, innovative material science and we will continue to drive innovation in packaging to help build the world we want tomorrow,” said Elisabetta Pierangelo, VP R&D, Mars Pet Nutrition
As a global leader in pet care, Mars, Incorporated leverages its scale and expertise to align sustainability goals with product innovation, reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term business resilience.