Amcor Brings New Containerboard Line On-Stream at Botany Mill in Australia

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Managing Director of Amcor Australasia and Packaging Distribution Nigel Garrard said that the investment of more than $500 million has brought world-leading technology to the Australasian market. "This is the most sophisticated recycled papermaking machine in Australasia. It produces high-quality, 100% recycled brown paper that is stronger, more consistent, and has an improved color for our customers," he said.

The new 6.25-m-wide B9 machine, the ninth paper machine to operate at the Botany site, has an annual production capacity of approximately 400,000 metric tons of 100% recycled testliner and fluting grades in the basis weight range of 80 to 200 gsm, from wastepaper collected throughout the Sydney region. The design speed of the machine is 1,600 m/min. The new line replaces three older machines aged 43 to 52 years, reducing water consumption by 26%, energy usage by 34%, and the amount of waste sent to landfill by 75%, according to Gerrard.

Metso's delivery included an OCC (old corrugated containers) pulping line and a complete OptiConcept boardmaking line from headboxes to reel with a stock preparation system, air systems, chemical systems, and a high-capacity winder and a roll handling system. A comprehensive Metso DNA automation package includes process, machine, and quality controls, and machine condition monitoring. The machine itself is 330 meters long and 22 meters high. Reels of paper weigh up to 47 metric tons and measure approximately 5.7 meters in diameter.

Metso's extended scope of supply also included complete mill engineering and electrification and installation and supervision services related to commissioning, testing, and startup. Metso additionally provided training services for the project.

The partnership between Metso and Amcor includes an agreement for the supply of mill maintenance services for the B9 boardmaking line. With the multi-year mill maintenance agreement, Metso assumes full responsibility for the establishment of maintenance operations, mill maintenance services, and the management of improvement projects for the stock and paper production facilities and for the mill utilities at the Botany mill.

Amcor Packaging (Australia) Pty Ltd is part of Amcor Limited, a global packaging manufacturer offering a broad range of plastic, fiber, metal, and glass packaging products, along with packaging-related services. It has annual sales of approximately EUR 9 billion and employs more than 30,000 co-workers at 300-plus manufacturing sites in 40 countries.

The Botany Paper Mill, located near the shores of Botany Bay in Sydney, commenced operation in 1902 with two paper machines. Since that time, seven more machines have been commissioned on site, the most recent of these being B9.