Ego powers up local production with $156m boost

Ego Pharmaceuticals has unveiled a bold new chapter in its commitment to local manufacturing, announcing a $156 million, decade-long investment to expand its Victorian operations.

The milestone, celebrated on Tuesday 1 July at the company’s Braeside site with Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, includes the launch of the Zorzi Innovation Centre (ZInC), a new cream filling line, a warehouse upgrade, and a major sustainability push under The Green Core initiative.

The investment marks a significant acceleration for the proudly Australian-owned company, as it looks to scale operations, sharpen its R&D edge, and meet rising demand for science-backed skincare. Leading the charge is Ego’s flagship QV Skincare brand, which was Australia’s top-selling skincare brand in pharmacy and grocery channels in 2024, with sales surpassing $133 million.

Sustainability is a key pillar of the new developments. Under The Green Core project, Ego has already achieved a 32 per cent reduction in carbon emissions per kilogram of product produced since 2019. The company is no stranger to sustainable innovation – PKN has reported regularly on Ego’s introduction of new initiatives for packaging, demonstrating leadership in reducing environmental impact across its supply chain.

Ego's managing director Alan Oppenheim AM described the expansion as a vote of confidence in Australian manufacturing. “While the majority of global skincare companies manufacture offshore, we’ve chosen a different path – one that backs Australian jobs, science and ingenuity,” Oppenheim said. “This investment is more than steel and machinery. It’s a long-term vote of confidence in what Australian expertise can deliver on a global stage.”

The upgrade will allow Ego to double its current production volume, which in 2024 exceeded 33 million units, and create 90 new jobs across its Braeside and Dandenong South facilities. Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan said, “We backed Ego Pharmaceuticals to grow because we know investments like this mean more local jobs, more exports, and a stronger economy.”

Dr Jane Oppenheim, CEO and director of Ego, has been instrumental in building the company’s scientific and sustainability credentials, spearheading the development of several market-leading therapeutic skincare lines. Earlier this year she was recognised with a Distinguished Leadership Award from the BioMelbourne Network for her contribution to life sciences innovation.

Founded in 1953 and still family-owned, Ego has held firm to its Australian roots while expanding globally. It now exports 50 per cent of its Melbourne-made product range to over 20 countries.

Tim Piper AM, Victorian head of the Australian Industry Group, said the company’s ongoing investment in local production was “a win for the entire country. It’s the kind of commitment to local industry we need more of”.

In an increasingly crowded and import-heavy skincare market, Ego Pharmaceuticals is proving that science, sustainability, and sovereign manufacturing can still give homegrown brands a global edge.