
The Australian paper industry is a diverse sector, producing a range of paper and paperboard products, including tissue, printing and writing papers, newsprint, and packaging papers. The country's paper recycling rates are among the highest in the world, with over 69% of all paper and paperboard consumed being recovered. Major companies in the industry include Opal Australian Paper, which manufactures products in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, and Australian Paper, which has faced controversy over its sourcing of wood from old-growth forests. Smaller businesses, such as Born in Paper, offer handmade paper products and paper-making workshops in Byron Bay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paper Manufacturing Companies | Opal, Australian Paper, Yarn'n, Born in Paper |
| Opal's Manufacturing Plant | Maryvale Mill, Victoria's Latrobe Valley |
| Opal's Annual Production | More than 400,000 tonnes of recycled packaging containerboard |
| Opal's Sales Offices | Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States |
| Opal's Divisions | Opal Fibre Packaging, Opal Converting and Packaging Plus ANZ, Opal Bag Solutions, Opal Cartons Australia, Opal Cartons New Zealand, Opal Functional Coatings, Opal Packaging Plus |
| Opal's Customers | FMCG, fruit and produce, protein, dairy, dry goods, wine, beverage, and industrial manufacturers |
| Australian Paper's Certifications | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, Australian Forestry Standard certification |
| Australian Paper's Previous Auditor | SmartWood |
| Australian Paper's Products | Reflex paper |
| Australian Paper's Initiatives | Investment in a recycled paper production facility for office paper |
| Australian Paper's Annual Sales Income | Over $9 billion |
| Australian Paper's Total Production | Around 3 million tonnes |
| Australian Paper's Recycling Rate | Over 69% |
| Yarn'n's Products | Deadly Dunny Paper |
| Yarn'n's Initiatives | 50% of profits go to First Nations education |
| Born in Paper's Products | Paper-making kits, gift tags, notebooks, plantable cards, custom wedding guest books, pressed bouquets, envelopes, invitations, stationery, hand-bound notebooks and journals |
| Born in Paper's Location | Byron Bay |
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What You'll Learn

The Australian paper industry
One of the prominent companies in the Australian paper industry is Opal Australian Paper, which operates the Maryvale Mill in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. Opal produces a range of paper products, including recycled packaging containerboard, unbleached kraft linerboard, and paper for the growing fibre packaging market in Australia and New Zealand. The company is committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing, with a focus on recycling and procuring wood fibre from well-managed sources.
Another Australian paper company is Australian Paper, which has invested in a recycled paper production facility for office paper, diverting up to 80,000 tonnes of waste paper from landfills annually. In 2011, the company withdrew from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to use wood from old-growth forest logging but retained FSC certification for its Reflex 100% recycled paper.
In addition to large-scale operations, Australia also has smaller-scale paper-making businesses and workshops, such as Born in Paper, which offers paper-making kits, unique paper products, and workshops for creating handmade paper from recycled materials.
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$41.99 $69.87

Paper recycling rates
Australia's paper recycling rates are among the highest in the world, with over 69% of all paper and paperboard consumed being recovered for recycling. The proportion of waste paper recycled in Australia has increased significantly over the years, rising from 28% in 1990 to 85% in 2016. This impressive improvement reflects the country's commitment to environmental responsibility and the understanding that paper can be recycled several times, although not indefinitely, as fibres eventually become too short and worn out.
The high recycling rates in Australia are due in part to the efforts of companies like Opal Australian Paper, one of the largest recycling, paper, and packaging businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Opal annually produces more than 400,000 tonnes of 100% recycled packaging containerboard through its Fibre Packaging business and external customers. They also operate the Maryvale Mill in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, which has been manufacturing paper products since 1937.
Australian Paper, another major player in the industry, has invested in a recycled paper production facility for office paper, diverting up to 80,000 tonnes of waste paper from landfills each year. Additionally, their Reflex 100% recycled paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, ensuring responsible sourcing.
To maintain the quality of recycled paper, it is essential to separate it from other materials during collection. The paper is then sorted, graded, and mixed with water to recover the fibres. Contaminants and ink are removed, and the resulting pulp is used to create new paper products. This process reduces energy consumption and emissions compared to virgin fibre production, showcasing the environmental benefits of recycling paper.
While most people recycle paper to protect the environment, it is worth noting that some paper products have economic value. For instance, recycled paper can be sold for approximately $45 per ton in Australia, although this may not lead to significant financial gains for individuals. Nevertheless, the environmental impact of recycling paper is significant, and Australia's high paper recycling rates contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Paper manufacturing mills
The Australian paper industry is a diverse sector, producing a wide range of paper and paperboard products, including tissue, printing and writing papers, newsprint, and packaging papers. The industry directly employs 18,000 people and generates annual sales of over $9 billion from a total production of around 3 million tonnes.
One of the major players in the Australian paper industry is Opal Australian Paper, which operates the Maryvale Mill in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. The Maryvale Mill has been in operation since 1937 and manufactures unbleached kraft linerboard, fluting medium, and bag and sack papers for the growing fibre packaging market in Australia and New Zealand. Opal is committed to a circular economy approach and recycles over 400,000 tonnes of paper annually, producing high-quality 100% recycled packaging containerboard.
Another notable paper mill in Australia is Australian Paper, which has invested in a recycled paper production facility for office paper, diverting up to 80,000 tonnes of waste paper from landfills each year. In 2011, the company withdrew from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to use wood from old-growth forest logging but retained FSC certification for its Reflex 100% recycled paper.
In addition to large-scale mills, Australia also has smaller-scale paper-making operations, such as Born in Paper in Byron Bay, which offers paper-making kits, unique gift tags, notebooks, and plantable cards. Born in Paper focuses on sustainability and hand-made paper products by recycling office waste with raw cotton.
The Australian paper industry takes pride in its high standards of environmental and social responsibility, with paper recycling rates among the highest in the world.
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Paper exports
Australia's paper industry is diverse, producing a wide range of paper and paperboard products, including tissue, printing and writing papers, newsprint, and packaging papers. The industry directly employs 18,000 people, with an annual sales income of over $9 billion and a total production of around 3 million tonnes. Australia's paper recycling rates are among the highest in the world, with over 69% of all paper and paperboard consumed being recovered for recycling.
One of the leading companies in the Australian paper industry is Opal Australian Paper, which has a long history in local paper manufacturing. Opal's Maryvale Mill has been operating in Victoria's Latrobe Valley since 1937, producing unbleached kraft linerboard, fluting medium, and bag and sack papers for the growing fibre packaging market in Australia and New Zealand. Opal's export business, Paper Products Marketing (PPM), has overseas sales offices in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States. Opal Fibre Packaging supplies innovative corrugated packaging solutions to various market segments, including FMCG, fruit and produce, protein, dairy, dry goods, wine, beverage, and industrial manufacturers.
In addition to Opal, other Australian companies play a significant role in the export of waste paper, pulp, and paper products. For example, Greenhill International, based in Sydney, has been in the recycling industry since 2018 and exports mixed paper, ONP, OCC, and mixed plastics. Iscrap Recycling in Sydney is also one of the largest exporters and buyers of recycled products in Australia, specialising in maintaining long-term business relations.
The Australian government is committed to responsible waste management and recycling practices. The Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 (RAWR Act) regulates the export of materials like glass, plastic, tyres, and, from 1 July 2024, paper and cardboard, to prevent these materials from being dumped overseas and reduce environmental and health impacts. The government is investing $250 million in the Recycling Modernisation Fund to enhance Australia's waste and recycling capacity and promote a circular economy.
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Handmade paper
One notable source is Born in Paper, based in Byron Bay. Born in Paper offers paper-making kits, allowing individuals to create their own handmade paper at home. They also offer workshops where participants can learn the art of paper-making and create unique, personalised products. The paper is made from recycled office waste and raw cotton, resulting in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable product.
Another source is Kami Paper, located in Melbourne. Kami Paper offers a wide selection of handmade and decorative paper, specialising in Asian papers. They also provide art and paper craft supplies, including fabric and paper for creating custom journals, albums, and guest books. Kami Paper hosts classes and workshops on various paper crafts, such as calligraphy, origami, and Japanese Sumi-e.
Creative Paper Tasmania, Australia's largest handmade paper mill, offers handmade paper tours and a range of premium artist papers made from recycled materials. Their papers include unique options like wombat and roo poo paper, as well as hemp paper and recycled cotton textile waste paper.
Additionally, organisations like Papermakers of Victoria promote the art of paper-making through gatherings, workshops, and collaborative projects. They encourage members from all backgrounds with an interest in paper-making to join and participate in their community.
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Frequently asked questions
Paper is made in various places in Australia, including Victoria's Latrobe Valley, where the Maryvale Mill has been operating since 1937. Additionally, companies like Opal Australian Paper and Yarn'n produce paper products in the country.
The Australian paper industry produces a diverse range of paper and paperboard products, including tissue paper, printing and writing papers, newsprint, packaging papers, and recycled paper.
The Australian paper industry prioritises environmental and social responsibility. It boasts high paper recycling rates, with over 69% of paper and paperboard consumed being recovered. Companies like Opal focus on recycling and responsible sourcing of wood fibre.








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