Australian beverage can manufacturer Orora is to expand the capacity of its Rocklea plant in Brisbane, Queensland, by almost a third.

The investment of around AUD130 million (USD80m) follows spending totalling AUD195m at three of Orora’s four plants in Australia over the past three years.

The investment will be in a third production line at Rocklea to meet rising demand for 375ml classic-style aluminium cans and will increase the plant’s capacity by 30% to an estimated 2.5 billion cans a year.

Chris Smith, executive general manager at Orora Cans, commented: “It’s terrific to invest further and complement our recent multisize capacity expansions at Dandenong and Revesby. The Rocklea line will provide future classic can capacity and will enable lightweight cans, whilst using renewable electricity.

“This classic can capacity, and the sustainability benefits will support and complement Orora customer investments in Queensland, now and into the future.”

The new line will also feature advanced decoration and quality control systems, as well as a capability for lightweighting can bodies, says Orora, which didn’t reveal which company will install the equipment.

Aligning with Orora’s sustainability strategy, the site will soon change to 100% renewable electricity through a partnership with CleanCo that started in January 2025.

The new canmaking line is expected to be installed by the end of 2026, with commissioning to start early in 2027. The design of the production line at Rocklea also enables a potential second phase of expansion to meet future customer requirements.

Other recent investments at Orora’s beverage can plants include:

AUD30m for expanded capacity at the Ballarat (Victoria) ends plant, completed in March 2023.

AUD80m for a third multi-size canmaking line at the Dandenong (Victoria) plant, completed in June 2023.

AUD85m for a second multi-size canmaking line at the Revesby (New South Wales) plant, completed in November 2024.

Orora also operates a beverage can plant with one line at Canning Vale near Perth (WA).

The firm also makes glass bottles and last year launched a range of metal capped jars.

In Australia, competitor canmaker VisyPak also runs three beverage can plants, at Clayton (Victoria), Smithfield (New South Wales) and Yatala (Queensland). Total demand for beverage cans in Australia is estimated to grow to almost 8 billion in 2027.