Opal’s world class $140 million corrugated cardboard packaging facility in Wodonga was officially opened during National Recycling Week, which ran from 13 – 19 November.

Opal’s Wodonga facility, which utilises the latest advanced, high-speed packaging manufacturing technology, has a total footprint of approximately 55,000 square metres. The facility will process recycled and kraft paper from Opal’s Botany Mill in Sydney and Maryvale Mill in the Latrobe Valley.

Opal has invested in Australia’s newest corrugating facility, which will produce packaging for a wide range of fresh produce, food processing, FMCG and manufacturing industries across Australia. The facility also features a highly automated materials and waste handling system.

Nippon Paper Industries chairman Fumio Manoshiro 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.
“Our support for Opal’s new $140 million investment in Wodonga is a huge vote of confidence for creating new jobs and doing business right here in regional Victoria.

“We’re thrilled to extend our congratulations to Opal for the opening of its new world class site which firmly places Wodonga as a critical city for manufacturing, innovation and investment,” said Tierney.

Over 450 direct and indirect workers were involved in the construction and machinery installation, with the majority from the local region. Aligned with Opal’s commitment to support regional employment, the site promotes a flexible work model. This is Opal’s first site to implement this progressive way of working. Community word-of-mouth has played an important role in recruiting new team members, and the site is expected to support more than 400 direct and flow-on jobs on- going.

Opal general manager, packaging Chris 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.

“Opal’s Wodonga corrugating facility will be able to produce up to 720,000 square metres of high quality, Australian made cardboard packaging per day. That equates to approximately 100,000 tonnes of finished corrugated packaging a year.

“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,” said Daly.

Opal operates an integrated value chain in recyclable cardboard packaging. Wodonga was specifically selected based on its central location to the East Coast of Australia and will play a strategic role in servicing and growing Opal’s customer base.