Petfood maker Mars Petcare's German subsidiary will invest €17.4 million (US$22.8 million) in its plant in Verden an der Aller, Germany.

The company says the money will be spent to expand petfood production facilities that manufacture single-serve pouches. Investments will be made in new filling systems, autoclaves, high-bay storage systems and a new packing line. Capacity is expected to increase by more than 10 percent.

The expansion will also create 28 new jobs. The new facility is expected to be finished in January 2014.