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Press release

MONDELĒZ INTERNATIONAL REMOVES ~2,200 TONS OF VIRGIN PLASTIC PER YEAR, INTRODUCES PAPER TRAYS ACROSS ITS FLAGSHIP UK & EUROPEAN COOKIES RANGE

Uxbridge, September 4th, 2026

  • Mondelēz International is replacing rigid plastic trays with 100% FSC-certified paper trays* across more than 115 cookie products from its European biscuits’ portfolio, sold under 8 brands in over 25 European markets
  • In the UK, Cadbury Crunchy Melts, Cadbury Chocolate Chip Cookie and LU Petit Cookie products will feature the new paper trays
  • The initiative removes more than 2,200 tons of virgin plastic across Europe per year, representing an ~80% reduction compared to the current plastic packaging**
  • Continues the company’s progress towards achieving a global 25% reduction in virgin rigid plastic by 2030***

A Step Change for Mondelēz International’s Flagship European Cookies Brands

Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) today announced that it has completed the replacement of rigid PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic trays with FSC-certified paper trays across its flagship European cookies range within its biscuits’ portfolio.

The transition spans more than 115 cookie products across eight brands – LU, Milka, Granola, Cadbury, Marabou, Chips Ahoy!, Lacta and Freia – reaching consumers in over 25 markets in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the Nordics. This is the largest single packaging sustainability initiative ever undertaken in the company's European bakery category, covering ~28,000 tons of cookies produced annually.

This transition builds on work already underway. In the UK, Mondelēz International has made significant progress evolving the packaging of some of its most iconic products into paper. This included a trial of Cadbury Heroes in paper tubs in 2025, and introducing paper outer packaging for Cadbury Animals and Mini Fingers Biscuits Multipacks.

Measurable Impact at Scale

Introducing paper trays to more than 115 cookie products is expected to remove ~2,200 tons of virgin plastic per year, representing an ~80% reduction compared to the original plastic packaging**.

This initiative delivers what consumers across Europe care about: packaging they can easily recycle, and the brands they love with less packaging. Each product communicates the plastic reduction on pack, so shoppers can see the difference at a glance.

Major Milestone in Mondelēz International's Sustainable Packaging Roadmap

This initiative is part of the broader programme through which Mondelēz International is systematically evolving plastic trays across its bakery category. It builds on the company's track record of packaging innovation, including the incorporation of ~80% recycled PET (rPET) into trays for brands such as Milka, Oreo, Cadbury and Chips Ahoy!, as well as the pioneering use of advanced recycling technology for Cadbury Dairy Milk 80% certified recycled flexible plastic packaging.

"This is a transformation we are proud to have engineered from the ground up. Replacing rigid plastic with paper across 115 products, 8 brands and 25 European markets in a matter of months required rethinking every layer of our packaging – from tray design to logistics. The result speaks for itself: ~2,200 tons of virgin plastic per year, representing ~80% reduction**. As packaging professionals, this is exactly the kind of bold, systemic change we exist to deliver." — Olivier Kintzig, Biscuits Packaging Director, Europe – Mondelēz International

Introducing paper trays to over 115 cookie products is a major milestone for Mondelez International and our global packaging sustainability progress. In the UK&I, we’ve delivered a variety of recent sustainable packaging innovation for products such as Cadbury Heroes, Cadbury Mini Eggs, and Cadbury Dairy Milk, and the introduction of paper trays for our cookies is further success on our journey towards bringing consumers products they love in more sustainable packaging.” – Joanna Dias, UK&I Sustainability Lead, Mondelez International

* The plastic type is PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), commonly used in the plastic bottled drinks industry, and its recycled version is known as rPET.  

** Based on projected FY2026 annual production volumes. Compared to the plastic used in the previous packaging (outer wrap + PET plastic tray combined).

*** vs 2020

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About Mondelz International

Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2025 net revenues of approximately $38.5 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate's Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class North America and World Indices, formerly Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on X at x.com/MDLZ.

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