Orora has confirmed it will close its G1 glass furnace at the Gawler site in South Australia this September, as part of a strategic overhaul of its glass production network. The decision comes in response to the ongoing structural decline in Australia’s commercial wine market.
The closure will see Gawler transition from three furnaces to two, helping the company align production with market demand. Looking ahead, Orora also plans to shut the F4 furnace at its Le Havre facility in France in 2026, consolidating European wine and champagne bottle production at the Ghlin site in Belgium, where a major furnace rebuild is underway.
CEO Brian Lowe said the changes demonstrate Orora’s decisive action to adapt capacity while preserving flexibility to expand when conditions improve.
Despite these closures, Orora delivered strong FY25 results, reporting a 24.4% revenue increase to $2.1 billion, driven by the integration of Saverglass and robust growth in its cans business. The company also advanced its sustainability agenda, with Gawler achieving nearly 60% recycled content in glass bottles and a 30% emissions reduction following its G3 furnace rebuild.
Source: Orora with additional information added by Glass Balkan
