Coca-Cola Europacific Partner’s (CCEP) Richlands facility combines high-volume production with energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and improved working conditions, earning it a 6-star rating.
The facility brings together three co-located sites, equipment services, manufacturing, and logistics. The equipment services site, developed by Charter Hall, joined the CCEP property portfolio in 2025. As one of 20 CCEP sites across Queensland, it initially targeted a 5-star Green Star rating but has since achieved 6 stars. This reflects performance across categories including energy, water, materials, indoor environment quality, and emissions. MHD spoke with Associate Director for Sustainability, CCEP Australia, Scott Edwards, to discuss the outcome.
“It was important for the practical reasons you would expect, including improving efficiencies to reduce overall operational costs, but also to create a complete and comfortable working environment for employees,” Scott says. “Getting the design right was a key consideration, ensuring the workspace is efficient in its layout and in how it operates.”
Across all CCEP sites in Australia, the Richlands equipment services site is the first and only in the company’s portfolio to achieve a 6-star rating. Its manufacturing site spans over 8,791 square metres, producing up to 2,000 cans per minute, 120,000 per hour, and nearly three million each day.
“It produces a huge number of cases of product. It basically supplies all of Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales with pretty much the full gamut of our portfolio,” Scott says.
That portfolio includes soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Fanta and Sprite, water brands like Mount Franklin and Pump, then the likes of Monster Energy, as well as juices and sports drinks, such as Powerade.
The specifics
The equipment services site incorporates a range of measures aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. A 233kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system was incorporated into the initial design brief, generating on-site renewable energy and reducing reliance on grid electricity. Based on the past 12 months of data, the system supplies approximately 47 per cent of the site’s total energy requirements.
This is supported by high-efficiency LED lighting deployed throughout, alongside motion sensor controls that minimise energy use in low-occupancy areas. Water management has been integrated into the site’s design through a 100,000-litre rainwater tank, with captured water reused for non-potable applications including amenities and landscaping. Low-pollutant and low-emission building materials have also been used to support environmental performance.
Within the equipment services site, attention has been given to working conditions. The building is designed to support improved indoor air quality and increased access to natural daylight across operational areas.
“I’m not a native Queenslander, but I’ve spent time there in summer and understand how hot and humid it can be,” Scott says. “Designing the facility to provide a more comfortable environment, particularly for those working on the shop floor, was a major priority.”
Climate control systems maintain stable indoor temperatures, addressing the challenges of Queensland’s conditions.
“It also incorporates healthier and higher quality indoor environments, so it’s not just about sustainability outcomes, but how the space performs for the people working in it day to day,” says Scott.
The broader context
The Richlands facility operates as a central hub for CCEP’s Queensland operations, consolidating functions from three sites to improve efficiency.
Distribution is supported by a combination of internal fleet operations and third-party logistics providers, servicing both large retail customers and smaller route-based deliveries.
“I think, with almost everything we do on the sustainability side of things, we get learnings out of all those things,” he says.
Lighting was one of the key considerations, with Scott noting it can account for a significant portion of energy use in warehouse environments.
“Lighting across all of our facilities would typically make up between 10 and probably 30 per cent of the total site’s energy use,” he says.
He adds that lighting design also considers maintenance requirements, particularly in high-clearance warehouse environments where access is more difficult, making longevity an important factor.
The facility incorporates LED lighting, natural light integration, and controls to manage energy use across operational areas. CCEP’s current focus includes emissions reduction, material recovery, and working with customers and suppliers.
“So, our focus, really, for the next couple of years is going to be a continuation of our decarbonisation journey,” Scott says.
“I think a lot of businesses these days realise that it is a collaborative effort, and no one business can really be truly sustainable on their own.”
