Suntory Oceania, the $3 billion partnership between Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage & Food, has begun installing 7,000 solar panels at its new Ipswich facility in Queensland.
This installation is part of a $400 million investment aimed at achieving carbon neutrality, the company stated in a media release.
The Australia Food & Grocery Council’s 2024 Sustaining Australia TV series will feature an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Ipswich site.
The episode highlights the state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facility and its commitment to sustainable practices.
“The investment really shows the confidence that Suntory has in the Australian market and its ability to continue to grow and evolve,” said Mark Hill, Managing Director Oceania at Suntory Global Spirits.
The Ipswich facility will be crucial for Suntory’s operations in the region, providing full end-to-end control over its portfolio, including manufacturing, sales, and distribution.
Ian Roberts, chief supply chain officer at Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, emphasised the facility’s innovative capabilities.
“This is the largest single FMCG investment in Australia in over a decade,” Roberts noted.
“Our carbon neutral ‘smart’ facility – powered by a combination of solar, biomass and green energy – will give Suntory unrivalled ability to innovate, respond to customer demand, and deliver beverages that are made locally and sustainably.”
Under Suntory’s “Growing For Good” philosophy, the Ipswich facility incorporates cutting-edge technology to set new standards for sustainable manufacturing in Australia.
Key sustainability investments include:
- Solar Panels: A 14km stretch of 7,000 solar panels, equivalent to over nine soccer fields, will power the production of more than 20 million cases of beverages annually.
- Biomass Boiler: This boiler will use offcuts from a local sawmill to generate heat for manufacturing needs.
- Organic Rankine Cycle Generator: This technology will capture waste heat and convert it into green energy to feed back into the grid.
The Ipswich project has already created approximately 450 construction and installation jobs. Once operational, it will support 160 long-term local positions.
Additionally, Suntory is recruiting over 130 roles for its new Australian Alcohol Licensed Route to Market function, which will launch in mid-2025.
