Sod off and running: Kristina Keneally comes to Amcor

Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally turns the first sod, marking the commencement of major construction for Amcor’s $400m Botany Paper Mill redevelopment.

According to Amcor Australasia’s managing director, Nigel Garrard, yesterday’s ceremony, was an important day in Amcor’s long history of manufacturing recycled paper. The redevelopment will include the construction and installation of a world leading 400,000 tonnes capacity recycled paper machine (“B9”).

The machine is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2012 and will consolidate Amcor Australasia's entire recycled paper production for Australia and New Zealand at Botany, creating an Asia Pacific centre of excellence for paper making in NSW.

“The new machine will generate high quality recycled paper that will be used in Amcor’s plants to produce corrugated boxes.  An important feature of the new machine will be its ability to produce lighter weight paper.  This is a major step forward in the Australian market and will enable Amcor to manufacture more environmentally friendly corrugated cardboard boxes for our customers,” Garrard said.

“The redevelopment of the Botany Mill is Amcor’s single biggest capital investment in its 140-year history and demonstrates a long-term commitment to continued manufacturing of paper packaging goods in Australia and New Zealand.”

Keneally was also joined by member for Maroubra, Michael Daley, who believes the site will have a positive effect for paper-making in New South Wales. “This investment will deliver a world-class addition to our state’s advanced manufacturing sector while providing increased competitiveness for Amcor in export markets,” he said.