Unilever has invested $9.5 million in the modernisation of its Australia-first laundry capsule facility in North Rocks, Western Sydney.
The commitment is intended to support the installation of new cutting-edge processing and packaging machinery, complimenting previous investments in technology at the plant, including cobots, and laser-guided vehicles.
This investment makes the Sydney facility one of only three Unilever factories in the world currently making laundry capsules.
Nine new full-time employees have also been hired to scale production and over 20 local businesses are supplying the raw materials and packaging needed to make the capsules.
Andrew Devlin, the North Rocks facility director, said recent unprecedented supply chain pressures have emphasised the need for a strong, sovereign manufacturing industry in Australia.
Thus, investing in the country’s local facilities and people is of the highest priority in order to ensure the company remains future-fit and capable of delivering Australia’s favourite laundry brands, such as Omo and Surf.
“With new technology and processes, comes the need for new skills. We’ve worked hard as a team to build future-fit capabilities so we can lead innovation locally and ensure Australians have access to the best products on the market,” Devlin said.
Lorna Ash, home of homecare of Unilever Australia and New Zealand, said the laundry industry is a growing category with promising potential, with homecare products now accounting for nearly $700 million in sales per year in Australia.
“While laundry capsules are a relatively new format in Australia, demand is growing rapidly at 57 per cent in the last year. On-shoring production has given us flexibility to tailor the capsules to suit Australian preferences, driving further adoption and future-proofing our legacy in Australia for years to come,” Ash added.
According to Unilever, the new capsule format is gaining popularity as it provides a more powerful wash by combining different enzymes, which could previously could not be combined in liquid or powder formats.
The products also allow hassle-free use and can be tossed straight in the washing machine with no need for measuring.
Furthermore, they are sustainable and use 80 per cent less water in production. The capsules are packaged using a biodegradable film that dissolves faster and can be used in cold, quick wash, helping consumers save water and electricity.
“This is all part of our Clean Future strategy to fundamentally change the way our cleaning and laundry products are created, manufactured and packaged, ensuring they are kinder to the planet and more convenient, while still delivering the same unbeatable results,” Ash said.
