CCA set to bottle Coke line in POM

By KEVIN TEME
THE Coca-Cola Amatil (PNG) Ltd is set to upgrade its Port Moresby depot into a production facility at a cost of more than K30  million.
The plan was shared to NCD Governor Powes Parkop, city manager Leslie Alu and key NCD heads at the parliament house recently.
The production of Coca-Cola is set to begin in September this year.
The production line, which will churn out 500ml, 1 litre, 1.5 litre Coca- Cola and flavours, along with Nature’s Own water, would see PNG become a showcase of the ground breaking technology in the Coca-Cola Amatil group and the Coca-Cola system world wide.
Welcoming the news, Parkop said the investment the giant soft drink company was to make was to show confidence  in the City.
He commended Coca-Cola Amatil  for its vision and planning for future expansion.
“This investment will not only boost business confidence in the city but will also create more jobs for the city residents as well as generating secondary spin-off business in packaging, storage, shipping and others.
“I now call on the residents of Port Moresby to welcome the investment down by Coca-Cola Amatil,” Parkop said.
The project scope is valued in excess K30 million which will involve a blow fill line using high pressure air and heat to expand bottles, label and fill product in one complete production line.
A water treatment plan along with the carbon dioxide (CO2) storage will also be developed.
The technical characteristics of the production facility represented reduced energy consumption and equating to a smaller carbon footprint.
Included in the works will be an infrastructure upgrade with a new office block at the Port Moresby depot.