Visy has commissioned a new 2.8m-wide corrugator at its Smithfield board factory in Western Sydney, Australia, following a A$30m ($21m) investment at the site.

The equipment uses real-time monitoring and digital process optimisation.

Visy said the installation has increased board output by 33% by reducing production and changeover times.

The corrugator is also intended to produce board with more consistent strength and flatness for high-speed packing lines and shelf-ready packaging applications.

Visy CEO Mark De Wit said the investment would support packaging supply for agricultural, food, and beverage customers in the state.

“We’ve been making cardboard boxes for farmers and food and beverage brands at Smithfield for over 40 years. This investment secures a reliable supply of high-quality cardboard packaging that meets demand across the state.”

The Smithfield location includes a material recovery facility, two 100% recycled paper mills, a cardboard box manufacturing operation, and a recycled plastics facility.

The site employs more than 400 full-time workers.

It forms part of Visy’s network of 18 cardboard box facilities across Australia and New Zealand.

The network uses locally manufactured kraft paper and 100% recycled paper.

Together with integrated design, engineering and customer support teams, this network gives customers the scale, flexibility and expertise to deliver everything from bespoke packaging to high-volume production.

In August, Visy launched its Enviropunnet labelling system for plastic-free fresh produce.

The Enviropunnet overclose labelling system holds produce in a punnet using cardboard flaps and a paper label, rather than plastic film or wrap.

The system is designed for apples, pears, stone fruit, and tomatoes.

It uses food-safe adhesives and can be configured with sections that avoid adhesive contact with exposed produce.