How Reliable Cooling Improves Food And Beverage Packaging Quality In Australia
Almost 39% of Australia’s plastic waste comes from packaging, while national recovery rates for plastic remain low. That means packaging lines have both a responsibility — and an opportunity — to cut waste at the source.
The scale of the food and packaging problem in Australia
Australia produces around 7.6 million tonnes of food waste each year, at a cost measured in the billions. Much of that waste occurs in production and processing. Fixes on the production line can therefore have an outsized impact.
Industry data that tells the story
- Australia’s food and beverage industry is valued at $144 billion, making it the country’s largest manufacturing sector. (Food Innovation Australia Ltd)
- Packaging equipment demand is projected to grow by 4% annually, driven by higher food safety standards and exports. (IBISWorld)
- Studies show that temperature fluctuations of just ±2°C can cause product spoilage or packaging failures, leading to significant financial loss.
These figures show why manufacturers across Australia continue to invest heavily in packaging chillers, water/oil heaters, and other thermal systems to maintain precision.
Why temperature control matters
Plastics used in packaging — PET, PP, PE — respond directly to heat. If moulds or processing lines run too hot or too cold, you get warpage, weak seals, uneven wall thickness, and higher rejection rates. Those rejects add up fast on high-volume lines. This matters in Australia, because the wider system is already struggling with waste recovery.
What reliable heating and cooling actually delivers
Upgrading and optimising chillers, water/oil heaters, and wider thermal systems in a packaging plant delivers three practical outcomes:
- Lower scrap and rejects. Industry benchmarks show accurate water/oil heaters can reduce scrap rates by 3–5%.
- Energy savings. Replacing old chillers with modern systems (variable speed drives, better controls) often cuts energy use by 8–15%, with some retrofit projects reaching over 20%.
- Faster, more consistent cycles. Stable thermal control reduces variation in cycle time and part quality, lowering stoppages and manual rework.
Combined, these improvements reduce waste on the shop floor and shrink the footprint of packaging across the product lifecycle.
Linking temperature control to sustainability goals
Packaging makes up a large share of Australia’s plastics challenge. Better process control reduces the volume of packaging sent to disposal and improves the quality of material that might re-enter recycling streams. Shini’s water chillers and water/oil heaters are already helping packaging manufacturers stabilise cycles and cut waste, making them a practical tool for companies aiming to meet national and corporate waste-reduction targets, including Australia’s goal of halving food waste by 2030.
Temperature control is not an optional extra for food and beverage packaging. It’s a production and sustainability lever. Investing in modern systems such as Shini chillers and water/oil heaters reduces scrap, cuts energy use, and supports compliance and recycling goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does temperature control reduce scrap in packaging lines?
A: Stable temperature keeps moulds and packaging materials consistent. This lowers defects like warpage and weak seals. Industry benchmarks suggest accurate water/oil heaters can reduce scrap by 3–5%.
Q: What energy savings can modern chillers deliver?
A: Replacing or optimising chillers often cuts energy use. Studies show savings of 8–15% are common, and in some retrofit projects, reductions above 20% have been achieved.
Q: Why is this important for Australian food producers?
A: Australia generates around 7.6 million tonnes of food waste each year. Temperature control helps reduce spoilage and rejected packaging, directly lowering waste at the production stage.
Q: Can Shini equipment help my facility meet sustainability targets?
A: Yes. Reliable heating and cooling improve efficiency, reduce scrap, and support compliance with Australia’s waste-reduction and recycling goals.
Next steps for Australian packaging manufacturers
Ready to cut waste and improve packaging quality? Book a free line review with Telford Smith today. We’ll help you pinpoint scrap and energy savings and match you with Shini solutions built for Australian packaging lines.
📞 Contact Telford Smith to arrange your review or request a customer case study with real numbers.
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