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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.

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