Page 6 - Packaging News Magazine Mar-Apr 2021

6 NEWS |
www.packagingnews.com.au | March-April 2021
TOP CLICKS
1AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST PET RECYCLING PLANT UNDERWAY Construction is underway on the facility in Albury-
Wodonga, which will see the equivalent of around 1bn 600ml plastic bottles recycled
2each year. (See p8)
BEST BOTTLERS DIVERSIFIES WITH NEW CANNING LINE
The contract bottling company has invested in a
high-speed canning line for its 3Mildura, Victoria facility.
HULSBOSCH CRAFTS BRAND IDENTITY FOR COLES KITCHEN
The branding and design agency has created the
brand identity, packaging, complete range architecture, and style guide for the fresh
4convenience range. (See p11)
ESCALATING SHIPPING COSTS SEND BOARD PRICES HIGHER Skyrocketing shipping costs are impacting board
and paper prices, with the nation’s major printable material suppliers forced to
5introduce price rises. QUESTIONS RAISED
AROUND VIABILITY OF COKE PAPER BOTTLE Industry experts weigh in on Coca-Cola’s
exploration of a new
sustainable paper bottle 6innovation. (See p41)
STAY-AT-HOME DEMAND BOOSTS AMCOR PROFITS Amcor saw its profits surge by 60% in the first six months, with the
company benefiting from stay-at-home consumer demand in the pandemic year. (See p8)
Pact HY profits rise on steady sales
TOP STORIES FROM THE PACKAGING NEWS WEBSITE PACKAGINGNEWS.COM.AU
PROFITS at rigid plastic packag- ing producer Pact Group rose strongly, on sales that were up a smidgeon, in its first half results, with Pact attributing the rise to “solid organic growth and higher margins”.
Net profit after tax was up by 44 per cent to $50m from $35m in the prior period, while under- lying net profit after tax rose to $52m, compared to $33m in the
same period last year, an increase of 59 per cent.
Underlying EBITDA increased by 13 per cent to $164.2m, with underlying EBIT up by 25 per cent to $98.6m. Revenue for the half year rose by 1.1 per cent to $894.4m from $885.1m in the same period last year.
The company said it expects its full year EBIT to be better than last year, and says the
Australasia’s largest producer of rigid plastic packaging, Pact Group, saw profits rise this HY, attributed to “solid organic growth and higher margins”.
trends it saw in the first half will continue, although its hygiene category will be weaker.
Pact said the execution of its Leading the Circular Economy strategy was on track in the first half, with its recycling capabil- ity enhanced by the acquisition of Flight Plastics in New Zealand. Additionally, further plastic recycling facilities are currently being evaluated in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. It is also cur- rently building a new recycling plant in Albury-Wodonga, which is on track to open later this year (see page 8).
“Our results in this period demonstrate a solid improve- ment in all key metrics,” said Sanjay Dayal, Pact CEO and managing director. ■
All Orora businesses show first half growth
ORORA achieved increased underlying EBIT in all its busi- nesses in the first half, on sales that rose three per cent in con- stant currency terms in the six months to 31 December.
Underlying NPAT before sig- nificant items was $91.1m, up 18.9 per cent on the prior corre- sponding period (pcp). Orora Australasia delivered underly- ing EBIT of $86.1m for the period, a 4.2 per cent increase on the pcp.
Orora first half group sales revenue was $1.81bn, down 1.2 per cent on pcp, but on a con- stant currency basis, sales rev- enue was up 3.1 per cent on pcp.
Australasia was the standout performer, its sales revenue was seven per cent higher, up to $441.2m.
CEO Brian Lowe said, “In Australasia, Orora’s Beverage business continued its track
Brian Lowe, Orora CEO
record of earnings growth. The earnings improvement was pre- dominantly driven by strong volumes across Cans and Closures. Volume gains were partially offset by an unfavour- able mix in Cans and Glass, driven by an increase in at home consumption and ongoing higher energy and insurance costs.”
Lowe said Orora is looking at expanding its Beverage business into North America; although it has no immediate plans, it is actively considering it, given the success of Beverages in Australasia, and Orora’s exist- ing presence in the territory. ■