Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has launched a newly upgraded can production line at its facility in Richlands, Queensland. 

This enhancement is backed by a significant investment of A$22.2 million over several years, aimed at meeting the growing demand for canned drinks. The new can line is designed to boost local production and enable faster, more sustainable distribution of beverages to consumers in Queensland.

This latest line is CCEP’s most advanced to date, capable of producing up to 2,000 cans per minute in various formats, including popular products like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, and Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling. Additionally, the facility will see a further investment of A$75 million for a new can line dedicated to Monster Energy products, set to be operational by mid-2025. This investment will enhance CCEP’s energy drink production in response to the fast-growing market, while also contributing to job creation in the region.

Orlando Rodriguez, Managing Director of CCEP Australia, noted that the company has a robust sales and distribution network reaching every Australian postcode, particularly in Queensland. He emphasised the importance of improving operational efficiencies, including sustainability and cost-effectiveness. 

He said: “At CCEP, we have a comprehensive sales and distribution network that covers every Australian postcode. This includes a strong and growing footprint in Queensland, where our local manufacturing capabilities have never been more critical.

“It’s important to us that we’re continually improving our operations to drive efficiencies, both in terms of sustainability and costs. These latest, state-of-the-art investments in manufacturing technology at Richlands represent a leap forward in productivity, safety, quality, and environmental stewardship, which are key pillars of our business and essential to our future.”

The upgraded can line is expected to save more than three Olympic-sized swimming pools of water each year compared to previous lines. It will also reduce energy use by approximately 23% due to its ability to fill cans at room temperature, which eliminates the need for energy-intensive cooling.

Safety considerations have been prioritised, with a thorough design validation process that included virtual reality simulations to optimise equipment layout and identify potential risks.

This investment is part of a broader initiative by CCEP to enhance its operations in Australia. Earlier this year, the company revealed a $105.5 million investment in a Warmfill Line for Powerade and Fuze Tea production at its Moorabbin facility in Victoria, following a $43.7 million upgrade of another can line at the same site in 2022.

Rodriguez remarked on the critical nature of local manufacturing, highlighting that this investment at Richlands aligns with CCEP’s overall strategy and its significant investment in Victoria, which represents the company’s largest investment in Australia to date. He underscored the importance of bolstering local manufacturing to better serve customers and achieve the company’s net-zero emissions goal in the future.

CCEP has been a part of the Australian beverage market for over 85 years, operating across every state and territory, with the Richlands facility among 20 CCEP-managed locations in Queensland, extending its footprint to as far north as Cairns.