2023 PACKAGING: OPAL OPENS FOLDING PLANT
Opal has opened its new $140m, high-tech, corrugated cardboard packaging facility, which has the capacity to produce 400 tonnes of printed and finished corrugated boxes every day.
The plant, located in Wodonga, has flexo printing lines, and uses kraft and recycled packaging paper, which it is sourcing from its Maryvale Mill in the Latrobe Valley, and its Botany Mill in Sydney. |
Equipment includes a BHS corrugator; Göpfert rotary die cutters; Bobst flexo folder gluers; Dücker/BDS automated work in progress store; a BCM tooling storage system; and a Mosca strapping line. The facility also features automated materials and waste handling system.
The new factory is producing corrugated cardboard packaging to supply a range of fresh produce, food processing, FMCG and manufacturing industries across the country.
The company says sustainability is a core component of the site’s design. It includes water harvesting capability, and solar power to leverage the facility’s 41,000sqm roof area.
Chris Daly, executive general manager, Opal Packaging, said Opal’s strategic investment in Wodonga was driven by market demand for superior, Australian-made recyclable packaging. He said, “Opal’s Wodonga corrugated cardboard facility will enable us to increase our production, create new regional jobs and grow our customer base.
"Once running at capacity, the facility will produce up to 720,000 square metres of packaging board per day, which is equivalent to almost 400 tonnes of finished corrugated boxes. That equates to approximately 100,000 tonnes of finished corrugated packaging a year."
Fumio Manoshiro, chairman of Opal owner Nippon Paper Industries, officially opened the Fibre Packaging facility by unveiling a special commemorative plaque made by the creative design team at Opal Specialty Packaging. Opal is a member of Nippon Paper Group, one of the world’s leading pulp and paper manufacturers.
The Victorian government also provided grant funding for the project, to support jobs in regional Victoria. Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney, congratulated Opal on the opening of its new facility.
Daly said it was appropriate that Opal was officially opening its Fibre Packaging Wodonga site during National Recycling Week. “Our customers and the market are driving demand for cardboard packaging with recycled content, which in turn can be recycled when it has been used.
“We are delighted to share the official opening of Opal Fibre Packaging Wodonga with a number of key customers, representing some of Australia’s most recognised and iconic brands,” Daly said.