The Regional Government declares Mars' R&D plan in Arévalo a priority

The Regional Government of Castilla y León has declared the R&D Strategic Plan of Mars Multisales Spain, S.L. at its Arévalo (Ávila) plant as a priority industrial project for the 2026-2028 period. The decision was adopted through Agreement 137/2026, of August 27, published in the Official Gazette of Castilla y León number 168, of August 31, 2026 (p. 187), with official reference BOCYL-D-31082026-168-13.

The agreement, signed by the President of the Regional Government, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, and the Councilor for Industry, Universities, Employment, and Trade, Juan Carlos Suárez-Quiñones Fernández, is based on Law 6/2014, of September 12, on Industry of Castilla y León, whose Article 30 allows for the declaration of priority industrial projects for reasons of general interest. The declaration entails urgency and expropriation effects, as well as a 50% reduction in processing times in accordance with Law 5/2013, of June 19, for the Stimulus of Business Creation.

An investment of 85.54 million and 29 new jobs

The project forecasts a total investment of €85.54 M, destined for state-of-the-art capital goods, industrial engineering, civil works, and R&D activities in advanced automation, digitalization, and sustainability. During the 2026-2028 period, the 244 current jobs will be maintained and 29 new direct jobs will be created, in addition to 90 indirect jobs linked to local suppliers, logistics services, industrial maintenance, and waste management.

• €85.54 M total investment.
• 244 current direct jobs maintained.
• 29 new direct jobs.
• 90 projected indirect jobs.

Modernization of the Arévalo plant

The wet pet food factory, established in Arévalo in 1999, produced approximately 35,000 tons in 2023, reached 58,500 tons in 2025, and aims to exceed 70,000 tons in the coming years. It currently exports to 16 countries, including several European markets, Morocco, and South Africa.

The strategic plan focuses on replacing the old PL1 production line with two innovative and fully automated lines (PL3 and PL4), doubling production capacity sustainably. Specific objectives include:

• Design of state-of-the-art lines with advanced automation and high-precision equipment.
• New high-value-added product typologies.
• Paper-based flow-wrap formats to improve recyclability.
• Resource optimization through circular economy.
• Digitalization with MOM and SCADA platforms and predictive maintenance.

Project effects and obligations

The declaration produces the effects provided for in Article 30.2 of Law 6/2014: approval of the implementation without further application, declaration of public utility and social interest with necessity and urgency of occupation, and justification for the direct granting of subsidies. The investments and activity must be maintained at the sites for at least five years from the completion of the project in 2028, and the actions must begin within a maximum period of one year.

Failure to comply with these obligations will lead to the withdrawal of the declaration, which does not exempt the company from obtaining the authorizations, licenses, or permits required by current legislation.

A key boost for the industrial fabric of Ávila

The declaration recognizes the driving effect of the project on the business fabric of the area, with a positive technological and innovative impact that will improve the company’s competitiveness and energize other economic activities. For the province of Ávila and the region of Castilla y León as a whole, the expansion of the Arévalo plant consolidates Mars as an engine for employment and industrial development, reinforcing the region’s position in the animal nutrition sector, a market that is projected to reach 8,607 million USD in Europe by 2028.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla y León, no. 168, August 31, 2026, I. Community of Castilla y León, D. Other Provisions, page 187 (official reference: BOCYL-D-31082026-168-13).