Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has launched a new can line at its production site in Moorabbin, Victoria.  

With the opening of the AUD 43.7 million ($29.7 million approx.) line, CCEP is aiming to scale up local can production, as it looks to deliver beverages more quickly to customers across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. 

Fully operational in time for the summer season, the line is able to make up to 1,700 cans per minute. This includes various formats and sizes across a range of popular beverages, such as Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite and Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling.

Peter West, vice president and general manager of Australia, the Pacific and Indonesia at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “This new can line at Moorabbin allows us to make a larger range of canned beverages, from across our portfolio of non-alcoholic and alcoholic brands, locally in Victoria, meaning our products are closer to the end-consumer. This minimises freight movements and, in turn, helps to reduce carbon emissions.” 

The new Moorabbin line is able to fill cans at room temperature – saving the energy that is typically required to cool the liquid as part of the filling process – and is also said to deliver considerable water efficiencies. According to CCEP, it is the most sustainable production line within the company’s Australian operations.

Orlando Rodriguez, vice president of supply chain – Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “The requirement to move product between states in a country as vast as Australia contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and reducing this is a challenging task, but it’s not impossible”. 

“Our continued investment in more efficient infrastructure at our facilities will play a role in helping us reach our net zero targets.” 

The line is complemented by new infrastructure at CCEP’s Mentone distribution centre, wher the company has invested in an AUD 17.4 million ($11.8 million approx.) Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). The ASRS provides 12,000 additional pallet spaces, ensuring the site is equipped to support the increased can production at Moorabbin. 

Rodriguez added: “Combined, the new infrastructure at Moorabbin and Mentone allows us to slash our inter-state freight by more than 1 million kilometres per year, cutting CO₂ emissions by 830 tonnes”.