Orora’s Australian cans operation has delivered another year of strong growth, helping the packaging group maintain steady underlying earnings despite challenging conditions across the glass market.
For the year ended 30 June 2026, Orora reported group revenue of $2.23 billion, up 6.5 per cent, while underlying EBITDA was broadly flat at $420.3 million. Underlying net profit after tax fell 5.9 per cent to $142.2 million.
Commenting on the results, Brian Lowe, managing director and CEO of Orora, said the performance highlighted the strength of the Cans business and the divergence in market conditions across the group.
“Favourable market dynamics in Cans, including the continued consumer preference shift to aluminium and growth in new beverage categories, has supported 6.3 per cent volume growth,” Lowe said.
The Australian Cans business generated revenue of $880 million, up 13.3 per cent, while EBITDA increased 10.5 per cent to $131.2 million. EBIT rose 7.3 per cent to $111.4 million.
The growth reflects continued demand for aluminium packaging, particularly from non-alcohol beverage categories. Energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks and alternative soft drinks were among the strongest areas, while beer also delivered good growth.
Lowe said the company’s recent investment in targeted capacity was enabling Orora to respond to this demand.
“Our targeted capacity investments – located close to key customers – will strengthen service levels and support ongoing growth for the business,” he said.
In Australia, Revesby Line 2 has added 10 per cent to Orora’s network capacity, supporting elevated Queensland demand for multi-size cans. The next major expansion is the new 375ml can line at Rocklea, Queensland, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of the first quarter of FY27 and add around 13 per cent to network capacity over time.
The Rocklea project forms part of an approximately $140 million investment and comes as beverage producers expand filling capacity in Queensland. Orora expects Cans volume growth in FY27 to remain consistent with its long-term rate of around 4-6 per cent.
Lowe said the completion of the company’s major capital expenditure cycle marked an important transition.
“Those long-term investments are now shifting from capital investment to cash generation,” he said, adding that the completed Cans capacity expansion would allow Orora to continue generating returns for shareholders.
Australia’s glass operations also delivered mixed results. At Gawler in South Australia, revenue was broadly flat at $284.5 million, with volumes down 2.1 per cent as beer demand continued to decline. However, EBITDA increased 9.5 per cent to $62.3 million and EBIT rose 10.5 per cent to $28.1 million, supported by the transition from three furnaces to two.
The G3 furnace is performing ahead of its original design scope, with Orora reporting a 31 per cent reduction in energy use.
Sustainability also remains a focus, with Orora’s Cans business achieving 77 per cent total recycled content in FY26, against its target of 80 per cent by FY30.
For the Australian packaging market, the results point to continued momentum in aluminium cans, supported by changing beverage consumption and investment in domestic production capacity.
With Rocklea approaching commissioning, Orora expects its Australian Cans business to remain a key contributor to growth in FY27.
