Global confectionery giant Mars has confirmed it will invest €1bn in its European Union operations by the close of 2026.

The company says the funds will go towards strengthening manufacturing, driving sustainability measures, and developing its innovation pipeline across the region.

This latest announcement adds to the more than €1.5bn Mars has already committed to EU-based manufacturing in the past five years.

Currently, the company operates 24 factories across 10 EU countries, employing around 25,000 people.

Mars has also been making headlines in the mergers and acquisitions space.

Last year, it revealed a $36bn deal to acquire Pringles maker Kellanova.

While the transaction has already passed antitrust review in the United States, it remains under careful scrutiny in Europe.

According to an update on the European Commission’s website, regulators have resumed their investigation into Mars’ $36bn bid for Kellanova, setting a deadline of 19 December for their decision.

The Commission, which enforces competition rules across the EU, had paused its review in July while awaiting additional information from the companies involved.

The in-depth probe was first opened in June amid concerns that the deal could increase retail prices and potentially give Mars greater negotiating power over European retailers.

Officials noted that the scale of the acquisition warranted closer analysis of its impact on both competition and consumers.

If cleared, the merger would unite some of the best-known names in the food industry.