Visy, a packaging and resource recovery company, has inaugurated its cutting-edge corrugated cardboard box factory in Hemmant, Queensland.
This state-of-the-art facility, opened by Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick and Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, has the capacity to produce up to one million boxes daily.
The boxes manufactured here will serve Queensland’s flourishing food and beverage industries, as well as local farmers and growers, the company said in a news release.
This initiative is part of Visy Executive Chairman Anthony Pratt’s commitment to invest $2 billion over the next decade, with $700 million earmarked for Queensland.
According to the company, the goal is to reduce landfill waste, minimise emissions, and generate thousands of green-collar manufacturing jobs in Australia.
Pratt praised the Queensland government’s backing of the manufacturing sector in the state, noting that they have established a favourable business environment for manufacturers to expand and thrive in Queensland.
“We’ve invested $175 million to build the most productive and technically advanced corrugated box-making facility in the country. We’ve installed the latest 2.8m wide corrugator—the most modern corrugator in the southern hemisphere,” the Visy official said.
Rather than sending materials to landfills or exporting them, Visy recycles mixed paper and cardboard from Queensland businesses and households at its Gibson Island recycling facility.
“We are transforming Australia’s recycling and manufacturing, and creating thousands of green collar jobs,” said Pratt.
He added, “100% recycled boxes from this facility are one of the ways we’re using all of Australia’s paper and cardboard, so it doesn’t have to be landfilled or exported.”
Anthony Pratt also acknowledged the support of Minister Husic and the Federal Government in fostering the next generation of manufacturing jobs, emphasising their commitment to transforming Australia’s recycling and manufacturing sectors while creating numerous green-collar jobs.
The Hemmant facility will provide more than 100 ongoing green-collar manufacturing jobs to Queenslanders on-site, further contributing to the state’s economy.
With the completion of this factory, Visy now employs over 1,000 Queenslanders, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and job creation.
