Wallaby Water launches Australia’s first automated aluminium bottling line

AUSTRALIA – Wallaby Water has activated a pioneering automated production line for filling and capping aluminium bottles and cans, marking the country’s initial setup tailored to local spring waters, including sparkling mineral varieties. 

The facility processes still and carbonated products with counter-pressure filling technology that holds CO₂ levels steady, ensuring uniform quality in every container.

Engineered for growth, the line starts at a daily output of 50,000 containers. An expansion set for 2027 will raise this to 120,000 through upgrades to the filling system.

Operators can switch between product types quickly, handling various stock-keeping units without affecting standards. This setup meets needs from brands, retailers, and private labels during short production runs.

The equipment draws from global suppliers. US firm CODI provided the depalletiser, conveyance, and filler, with installation by East Coast Canning. 

Japan’s double-cam ROPP capping system seals lightweight bottle-cans precisely across formats, allowing shifts between bottles and cans in less than an hour. 

From the capper onward, Australian company Automaint Solutions manages conveyance, case packing, and robotic palletising with Omron tech. 

Inline inspections check each bottle and cap, while central controls keep the flow seamless, cutting manual work and boosting safety.

Demand for resealable aluminium water containers rises in retail, events, and hospitality as these sites adopt plastic-free choices. 

Wallaby’s line now offers low minimum order quantities for custom-printed designs, starting at 400 units per style. East Coast Canning handles can printing, and OnPack covers bottles, with delivery in two to four weeks. 

This service fits product debuts, seasonal pushes, festivals, and upscale venues, letting clients run small tests affordably.

The upgrade expands Wallaby’s reach to national chains seeking aluminium over plastic, plus contract clients needing domestic bottling. 

It also opens doors to exports in the US and Asia, where premium eco-friendly waters sell well. 

Dominic Goldsworthy, Wallaby Water’s founder, stated, “This investment anchors us as Australia’s first fully dedicated and automated aluminium-bottle bottling facility for spring water.” 

He added that partnerships with East Coast Canning and Automaint Solutions have created a system for large-scale plastic reduction.

In a related development, UAE-based Emirates Steel has ramped up aluminium production for beverage cans by 20% this year, investing US$150 million in recycling tech to supply regional bottlers. 

A company executive noted the move cuts virgin material use by 30%, aiding Middle East firms in meeting plastic bans. 

Such efforts mirror global pushes, with Asia’s aseptic carton makers reporting 15% sales growth in plant-based waters last quarter, per industry data. 

These advances help beverage producers scale circular options amid tightening regulations.

Wallaby’s facility supports closed-loop recycling and local jobs, processing all water on-site to preserve taste. Output growth will add 25 roles by mid-2026, focusing on quality checks and logistics.

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