History
Opal is proud to represent the best of two companies that have a shared history of manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand. From our beginnings on the banks of the Yarra River in 1868 to the formation of the Opal business in 2020, below are some of the key milestones in our 150 year packaging and paper journey.
History
Timeline
1868
Melbourne’s first paper mill is established by Samuel Ramsden on the banks of the Yarra River at Southbank
1895
Australian Paper Mills Company formed, combining the mill at Southbank with others in Broadford and Geelong
1902
Botany Mill commences operation in Sydney with two paper machines
1926
Australian Paper Manufacturers Limited (APM) commenced trading
1937
Construction of Maryvale Mill begins in Morwell
1940
Maryvale No.1 paper machine begins production
1951
APM Forests is formed to establish plantations
1977
Maryvale No.4 paper machine begins production of liner board for cardboard boxes
1986
APM becomes Amcor Limited
1987
Maryvale celebrates 50 years of production
2009
NIPPON PAPER GROUP purchases Australian Paper
2013
B9 paper machine begins operating at Botany Mill
2020
Nippon Paper Industries launches Opal