Amcor has inaugurated a new $500 million recycled paper machine at Botany Mill in Austrastllia. The paper machine has the capacity to produce about 400,000 tonnes of high-quality 100% recycled testliner and fluting grades. The machine came on stream on Oct. 16, 2012. The production line was officially opened in an inauguration ceremony held on February 1, 2013.
Managing Director of Amcor Australasia and Packaging Distribution, Nigel Garrard, said that the investment of over $500 million has brought world-leading technology to the Australasian market.
"This is the most sophisticated recycled paper making machine in Australasia. It produces high-quality 100 per cent recycled brown paper that is stronger, more consistent and has an improved colour for our customers," he said.
Construction of the new facility commenced in 2011, creating more than 800 jobs throughout the project and securing ongoing employment for more than 150 co-workers.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, said, "The NSW Government understands that a modern manufacturing industry is crucial to a strong economy."
Packaging innovation is critical to many of Amcor's customers as they search for new ways to differentiate their product in highly competitive FMCG markets.
"The ability to reduce the weight of the paper over time, while maintaining its strength, gives us opportunities to partner with our customers to create packaging innovations that are simply not possible today. We will be able to offer boxes, for instance, with the same quality and strength, but with less weight," Mr. Garrard said.
The "B9" paper machine, so named as it is the ninth paper machine to operate at the company's Botany site, will produce more than 400,000 tonnes of paper annually when operating at full capacity and will deliver significant environmental benefits.
"This state-of-the-art recycled paper machine replaces three older machines aged between 43-52 years, reducing water consumption by 26 per cent, energy usage by 34 per cent and the amount of waste sent to landfill by 75 per cent," Mr. Garrard said.
