Round-up: Pet players ramp up production capabilities
Major players, including Suziria Group, APC and Mars, are opening new facilities worldwide to expand production and accelerate innovation in the pet sector.
Major pet industry players are expanding their production and research and development (R&D) capabilities as demand for innovation continues to grow.
Suziria Group
Ukrainian pet food manufacturer Suziria Group launched a wet pet food production facility in Kalush, 550 km from Kyiv.
The company invested €6.1 million ($7.22M), but the total reached €10 million ($11.8M), including working capital (the difference between assets and liabilities).
Spanning 2,400 square meters, the site has a capacity of up to 5,000 tons of product per year, with a plan to double it by the end of 2026. The plant will serve the brands Half&Half and the newly launched CATCH!, with 6 different SKUs for each.
“According to our estimates, as of 2025, the wet pet food market in Ukraine amounts to approximately 66,000 tons per year and continues to grow. The new production facility in Kalush will be able to cover up to 15% of this volume,” says Polina Kosharna, Co-owner and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Suziria Group.
APC
Iowa-based animal nutrition ingredient supplier APC has launched a pilot R&D space for plasma-based ingredient evaluation before moving to full-scale production.
The new North American innovation kitchen is located within APC’s research center and pilot plant in Iowa. It supports a wide range of formats, including wet food, baked products, treats, toppers and supplements.
The facility enables companies to explore formulation changes, compare ingredient options, evaluate texture and structure and assess how plasma functions across applications at different inclusion levels.
In addition, it provides flexibility for companies, as projects may be conducted on-site, remotely with APC running trials or through a hybrid collaboration model that includes virtual reviews and data sharing.
Synergie Prod
French manufacturer of supplements for livestock and companion animals, Synergie Prod has invested €16.6 million ($18.1M) to build a new factory in Sèvremoine, 370 km from Paris. The construction phase is expected to last 18 months.
The new facility will combine the company’s 3 existing sites, bringing a total of 4,900 square meters of production space on a 21,650-square-meter site. It will also integrate a line of SoftChew treats for dogs and cats.
Synergie Prod is part of Le Gouessant, a French agricultural cooperative group. Founded in 2008, the company currently operates in 70 countries. Its product portfolio includes tablets, pastes and gels.
Mars
Mars Petcare transformed its research and development (R&D) hub in Birstall, UK, into an innovation hub following a £1.2 million (€1.4M/$1.5M) investment.
The facility features spaces for prototype evaluation, product pitching zones, experimentation facilities and a custom-built kitchen.
The investment is part of Mars’ broader European investment program focusing on R&D. In 2025, the company also committed €1 billion ($1.1B/£860M) to strengthen manufacturing, sustainability and innovation across Europe by 2026.
“Our investment in the Birstall Innovation Hub reflects a long-term commitment to advancing innovation and technology, and to delivering the highest-quality products for the 455 million pets and pet parents who rely on us every day,” says Elisabetta Pierangelo, VP for Global R&D at Mars Pet Nutrition.
Recently, Mars Petcare Kazakhstan also announced plans to build a pet food manufacturing plant in the Almaty region, southeastern Kazakhstan, with operations expected to commence in 2031.
Three Dog Brands
American dog treat manufacturer Three Dog Brands launched a new 87,000-square-foot facility in the Kansas City metro area.
The new site will support increased production, packing and distribution capabilities and will also serve as a central hub for the company’s growing team.
The expansion is part of the producer’s broader improvement initiatives across automation, packaging optimization and capacity enhancements. “This investment not only expands our capacity but also strengthens our ability to innovate quickly and meet the needs of both retailers and pet parents nationwide,” says Kristi Ross, CEO of Three Dog Brands.