Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has open $75m canning line to fill 120,000 cans an hour as demand for Monster energy drink soars

Aussies’ insatiable thirst for energy drinks like Monster and Mother has pushed soft drink giant Coca-Cola Europacific Partners to make a $75m new move. See the mesmerising video

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has built a $75m new canning line – capable of churning out 2000 cans a minute – to quench Aussies’ insatiable demand for energy drinks.

The energy drinks category is growing in volume by 12 per cent year-on-year – the world’s fastest growing soft drink segment – with Monster Energy Company products leading the way with 40.3 per cent volume share.

CCEP says its long-time plant in the Brisbane suburb of Richlands now has the largest and most efficient canning line in its worldwide network.

It will be capable of processing up to 120,000 cans per hour will significantly increase production capacity for Monster Energy Company products – including Monster and Mother brands – for Queensland, NSW and Northern Territory consumers.

Cocoa-cola cases on the line.

The new canning line will also support the Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta brands. Coca-Cola’s new Coca-Cola Zero Sugar continuing to lead he way in the zero/diet cola category, growing in value by 15 per cent in its moving annual total (MAT).

Coca-Cola Classic continues to be a popular favourite among Aussies, growing in value by 3 per cent in the latest MAT.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia managing director, Orlando Rodriguez said they have been in Australia for 90 years and they will continue to invest heavily in their operations.

“Richlands is our largest manufacturing site in our Australian network and now it is home to our most efficient and largest canning line to date in our global network, bolstering

Queensland’s thriving manufacturing industry and supporting Aussie jobs,” he said.

“By leveraging cutting-edge technology and world-class equipment, the new line will increase

production efficiency, enabling faster and more sustainable delivery of our beverages.”

Inside Coca-Cola's new plant at Richlands.

Inside Coca-Cola's plant at Richlands.

During the 18-month construction phase, more than 250 local contractors worked safely onsite.

Additionally, over 18 new full-time positions have been established to support the ongoing operation of the line. Equipped with the latest advancements in manufacturing technology, the line ensures durability and efficiency. Space and workflow are optimised with the layout thoughtfully designed across five mezzanine levels.

Water and energy savings have also been unlocked through this investment and the new canning line. The reverse osmosis system boosts water treatment capacity by 67 per cent.

The line’s ability to fill cans at room temperature eliminates the need for energy-intensive cooling processes; a feature that is expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 23 per cent annually compared to other lines within CCEP’s network.

Empty Coca-cola cans before filling.

One of Australia’s largest beverage manufacturers, CCEP is proud to continue making, moving

and selling high-quality beverages that Australians love, while also contributing to the local

economy.

“Our manufacturing philosophy is centred on making it where we sell it, limiting the distance our product travels and minimising the emissions tied to it where possible,” Mr Rodriguez said. The company employs more than 700 Queenslanders and currently has over 3000 employees in Australia and has operations in every state.

Originally published as Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has open $75m canning line to fill 120,000 cans an hour as demand for Monster energy drink soars