Packaging giant Visy has broken ground on its new $500 million glass recycling and remanufacturing factory in Queensland, which once operational, will recycle up to 200,000 tonnes of the state’s glass bottles and jars annually to produce one billion bottles a year.
The largest investment ever made in the state, Visy’s new facility, just south of Brisbane in Stapylton, will be built next to Visy’s current box factory and beverage can plant, and is expected to be operational in 2025.
“Recycling is an important weapon against climate change, and the technology employed in this factory will help enable Australia to go from an average of 30 per cent recycled glass content in bottles to 70 per cent, which is moving towards world’s-best practice,” said Anthony Pratt, executive chairman at Visy.
“This ensures the majority of Queensland’s recyclable recovered glass containers from the state’s CDS and kerbside recycling bins can be remanufactured right here in Queensland.”
The project represents a massive expansion of Visy’s Queensland recycling and remanufacturing operations, and is underpinned by a long-term partnership with Asahi Beverages, and agreements with customers Lion, Bundaberg and Coca-Cola.
It will support about 200 green collar manufacturing jobs once operational, and bring Visy’s Queensland workforce to more than 1000 people. It will also create over 600 jobs in construction.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was on hand to turn the sod at the Stapylton site, said the project was groundbreaking for Queensland jobs, manufacturing and the environment.
“Queensland is currently a net importer of glass packaging and currently doesn’t manufacture enough to supply the local market. This new facility will not only make Queensland glass packaging self-sufficient, but also sets us up to be a net exporter,” said Palaszczuk.
The project forms part of Pratt’s 2021 pledge to invest $2 billion in Australian recycling and clean energy infrastructure over the ensuing decade, creating thousands of new green collar, well-paying Australian manufacturing jobs.
It brings Visy’s total investment in Australia to over $11 billion.
“Visy has advised that this new investment will be underpinned with long-term contracts, ensuring operations stay in Queensland and increasing the sustainability of their glass packaging,” added Meaghan Scanlon, minister for the environment.
“The new facility will help Visy and its customers to support Queensland’s clean energy future by increasing recycled content in glass packaging, while reducing emissions.”
Visy will relocate its current glass remanufacturing operations from South Brisbane in 2025, paving the way for the site along the Brisbane River to be used as the International Broadcasting Centre for the 2032 Olympic Games.
