Opal's $140 million high tech corrugated cardboard packaging facility is on track to be completed and operational by October 2023.
The site will receive more than 260 containers of state-of-the-art equipment with the installation phase commencing from April.
Sustainability is a core component of the site's design, which when completed, will feature water harvesting capability and solar power to leverage the facility's 41,000m2 of roof area.
The total footprint of the facility will be approximately 55,000m2.
The facility will use kraft and recycled packaging paper from Opal's Maryvale Mill in the Latrobe Valley and Botany Mill in Sydney. It will produce high quality corrugated cardboard packaging to supply a wide range of fresh produce, food processing, FMCG and manufacturing industries across Australia.
Wodonga was specifically selected as the site of the new facility due to its central location to eastern Australia and growing customer demand for recyclable packaging.
Mr 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.
"Opal's Wodonga corrugated cardboard facility will enable us to increase our production, create new regional jobs and grow our customer base," Mr Daly said.
"Once running at capacity, the facility will be able to produce up to 720,000 square metres of packaging board per day, which is equivalent to almost 400 tonnes of finished corrugated boxes."
Opal is committed to supporting regional jobs and once it is operating, the facility is expected to support more than 400 Victorian jobs including direct and flow-on.
Opal is currently recruiting for roles across Production, Safety, Quality and Maintenance and interested candidates can visit jobs.opalanz.com to review current opportunities at the Wodonga site, in addition to roles that are open at other Opal sites.
About Opal
Opal is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest paper and fibre packaging manufacturers and is part of the Nippon Paper Group. Opal is committed to sustainable circular economy business practices in line with its Vision: Opal shapes the future through sustainable packaging. www.opalanz.com
