Queensland attracts $50 million factory at Brendale

Industry Minister Desley Boyle today attended the official sod-turning ceremony for the construction of a new $50 million glasswool insulation factory at Pine Rivers.

Ms Boyle said: ”Bradford Insulation, a subsidiary of CSR, expect to complete the new factory by November 2008.

“It will create more than 70 jobs, which is great news for the local area.

“In addition, this is a green business. Not only is the glass used in the insulation mostly recycled – the insulation will help people save on cooling costs and reduce greenhouse gases.

“Insulation can save heating and cooling use by up to 40 per cent.

“My department has worked proactively with CSR to ensure this project, and the jobs it creates, will come to Queensland.

"The Government has also worked very closely with our partners in local government to ensure this project can be delivered as quickly as possible.”

Bradford Insulation has four factories in China and the new factory will increase its total glass wool production capacity in Australia by over 30 per cent.

Its Bradford Gold insulation is produced from up to 80 per cent recycled glass.

Ms Boyle said market demand for insulation was growing rapidly following the recent introduction of national building code legislation requiring higher levels of insulation in new residential and commercial buildings.

“On top of that, increasing public awareness of climate change is fuelling high demand for insulation products.

“I commend the efforts of everyone involved in delivering another great project to Queensland.”

Ms Boyle said CSR was to be commended for incorporating sustainability into the factory’s design and day-to-day operations.

CSR Managing Director Jerry Maycock said the new plant would be a world class manufacturing operation, using the latest state-of-the-art technology to minimise emissions, recycle water and reduce waste.

“On top of that, we estimate that the product supplied over the life of the Brendale plant will help save over 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Maycock said.

“CSR is proud to be making such a strong contribution to the sustainability of our environment. We are very grateful to both the Queensland State

Government for its pro-active support, and to the Pine Rivers Shire Council which has greatly assisted CSR in this investment opportunity,” Mr Maycock said.

Ms Boyle said the new CSR plant was a prime example of Queensland’s credentials as a location of choice for large-scale advanced manufacturing.

“The Queensland Government’s aggressive approach to attracting investment projects has since 1998 resulted in creating over 15,000 new jobs, worth about $3.4 billion to the State’s economy,” Ms Boyle said.

CSR Bradford Insulation has plants in China, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

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Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005

29 January 2008