Work has commenced on a 14km stretch of solar panels at a new Suntory Global Spirits1 and Suntory Beverage & Foodfacility in Ipswich, Queensland.
The Ipswich facility will play a critical role in unlocking the power of Suntory in the region, delivering innovation and full end-to-end control of its portfolio.
Ian Roberts, Chief Supply Chain Officer Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, said the facility provided extraordinary capabilities to fast-track innovation and disrupt the market.
“Our carbon neutral ‘smart’ facility – powered by a combination of solar, biomass and green energy – will give Suntory unrivalled ability to innovate, respond to customer demand, and deliver beverages that are made locally and sustainably,” said Roberts.
“Led by our Growing For Good philosophy, Suntory has taken every opportunity to use leading technology and set new standards for sustainable manufacturing in Australia, said Roberts.”
Three sustainability investments currently underway at the site include:
- 7000 solar panels, equating to just over nine soccer fields (14km) will power the production of over 20 million cases of beverages a year on commencement.
- A biomass boiler that will use offcuts from the local sawmill as fuel to generate heat for the sites manufacturing heating requirements.
- There will also be a fitting of an organic Rankine cycle generator, a unique technology to capture waste heat and turn it into green energy to put back into the grid.
To date, the Ipswich facility has delivered approximately 450 construction and installation jobs, and once operational will support 160 long-term local roles.
The business is now recruiting a further 130 roles to support the new Australian Alcohol Licensed Route to Market function.