The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has completed a brand-new canning line at its Queensland manufacturing facility in Brisbane.

The new line, supported by a $75 million investment, will be the largest and most efficient canning line in the CCEP network. It will be capable of processing up to 120,000 cans per hour.

Production capacity for Monster Energy Company products, including Monster and Mother brands, will be significantly increased thanks to the new line. This aims to meet rising demand for these products as well as other consumer favourites such as Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta.

During the 18-month construction phase, more than 250 local contractors worked onsite. More than 18 new full-time positions have also been established to support the ongoing operation of the line.

Designed for durability and efficiency, it is equipped with the latest advancements in manufacturing technology and has been set up for optimised space and workflow, with the layout designed across five mezzanine levels.

Water and energy savings have also been unlocked through the investment and new canning line. The reverse osmosis system boosts water treatment capacity by 67%, while the line’s ability to fill cans at room temperature eliminates the need for energy-intensive cooling processes. This is expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 23% annually, compared to other lines within CCEP’s network.

Orlando Rodriguez, managing director at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia, said: “We have a long history of manufacturing in Australia – nearly 90 years – and we continue to invest heavily in our operations”.

“Richlands is our largest manufacturing site in our Australian network and now it is home to our most efficient and largest canning line to date in our global network, bolstering Queensland’s thriving manufacturing industry and supporting Aussie jobs.”