Mars Wrigley will be doing more noodling around at Goose Island innovation hub

Chocolate Photo credit Getty Images

By Nancy Harty

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mars Wrigley has broken ground on an expansion to their innovation hub on Goose Island.

The global research and development site will bring 30 new jobs to Chicago, including some that were done in New Jersey, Tennessee and the Netherlands.

Mars Wrigley Global Research and Development Vice President Chris Rowe said they’ll focus on chocolate, like their new vegan chocolate bar named CO-2-COA.

He says they’re responding to consumer needs with sustainable products and plenty of options.

The 44,000-square-foot space will be full of people with technical skills, curiosity and creativity.

Another new idea is a reimagining of M&Ms by replacing their famous vibrant colors with an off-white shell made out of chickpea flour.

Rowe says the lower-sugar Munchums are meant for grazing and are more like a biscuit.

Mars Wrigley will have about 1,000 employees on its Goose Island campus when the hub opens in a year.

The company has five factories in Illinois, including facilities in Burr Ridge and Yorkville.