AUSTRALIA – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has officially launched an upgraded canning line at its Richlands production site in Queensland, supported by a US$22.2 million investment over multiple years.
The new line, described by CCEP as its “most efficient can line to date,” enables the production of up to 2,000 cans per minute of popular beverages like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, and Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling.
This upgrade aims to scale up local canning capacity to meet the rising demand for canned beverages in Queensland.
“It’s important to us that we’re continually improving our operations to drive efficiencies, both in terms of sustainability and costs,” said Orlando Rodriguez, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia.
Complementing the recent upgrades, CCEP has also committed to a multi-year A$75 million investment for an additional canning line at the Richlands site.
This new line, set to become operational by mid-next year, is expected to significantly boost the production of Monster Energy drinks and contribute to job creation and economic security in the local community.
The enhanced canning line offers energy-saving benefits by filling cans at room temperature, eliminating the need for energy-intensive cooling processes.
This shift is expected to reduce the facility’s energy consumption by approximately 23 percent compared to the previous canning line, furthering CCEP’s efforts toward energy efficiency.
“In the short term, investing in our local manufacturing infrastructure significantly enhances our ability to meet the needs of our valued customers. In the years to come, these efforts to build our operational presence nearer to the end-consumer will help make our ambition to reach net-zero emissions a reality,” added Rodriguez.
The Richlands site upgrade is part of CCEP’s broader initiative to strengthen its operational network in Australia.
Earlier this year, CCEP committed US$105.5 million to a Warmfill Line for producing Powerade and Fuze Tea at its Moorabbin facility in Victoria.
This move follows a US$43.7 million can line upgrade at the same site in 2022, marking the single largest investment by CCEP in its Australian manufacturing network to date.
With over 85 years of beverage manufacturing experience in Australia, CCEP operates in every state and territory, reinforcing its commitment to local production and sustainability while supporting growing consumer demand for diverse beverage options, including sports drinks and no-sugar variants.
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