Bosisto’s expands eucalyptus oil manufacturing with additional distillery

May 14, 2026

Eucalyptus products company Bosisto’s gets behind local manufacturing with the launch of a purpose-built $10 million eucalyptus oil distillery to increase production capacity

*Tegan Abbott from Bosisto’s explained how opening the $10 million Kurraca VIC distillery will allow the company to triple its eucalyptus oil production – Image: Bosisto’s*

Bosisto’s has set a high benchmark for local, sustainable manufacturing with the opening of a purpose-built eucalyptus oil distillery at Kurraca near Wedderburn in Central Victoria, backed with a $10 million investment

The investment gives an immediate boost for Australian-made product supply, immediately strengthening local manufacturing capability.

Bosisto’s investment in the Kurraca VIC distillery, demonstrates parent company FGB’s strong commitment to manufacturing in regional Victoria and significantly expands its across country eucalyptus oil production capacity.

The purpose-built, sustainable eucalyptus oil distillery will strengthen local manufacturing capability and enable significant expansion of eucalyptus oil production capacity with Bosisto’s planned to increase production capacity by over 300%.

*Cutting the ribbon to open the latest eucalyptus oil distillery in Bosisto’s arsenal at Kurraca VIC was part of the family-owned company Alison Abbott – Image: Bosisto’s*

This increased market capacity will providing a strong platform for Bosisto’s to grow the brand and ensure it continues to meet product demand for what is a unique Australian-made natural product.

The elevated supply level has created an exciting milestone for the local family owned Bosisto’s brand, that prides itself on producing high-quality, effective, natural eucalyptus products with minimal environmental impact.

The purpose-built distillery has set a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing, including off-grid hybrid power system with supply from over 2,000 solar panels and ample battery storage on site.

The distillery will also be self-sufficient from rainwater capture using dams and tanks for steam distillation and cooling processes. After distilling, steam from the boiler is condensed, filtered and reused again for distilling in a closed loop system.

*Bosisto’s newly opened eucalyptus oil distillery at Kurraca near Wedderburn VIC will gain extra income for regional suppliers and contribute to the supply chain – Image: Bosisto’s*

There is also a viable waste-to-fuel conversion cycle using leaf biomass to power the steam boiler, while any surplus leaf biomass is converted to Bosisto’s EucaMulch or spread over the plantation to enhance soil health.

The eucalypts harvested for the Kurraca VIC distillery are Blue Mallee species, that are native to the area and re-grow every two years following harvesting, without needing to be re-planted – creating a renewable and sustainable process.

The Bosisto’s brand is proud that no pesticides or fertilisers are used throughout the growing process.

*Bosisto’s is expecting a production increase of 300% for its oil-based products from Blue Mallee eucalyptus species at the Kurraca VIC plant in central Victoria – Image: Bosisto’s*

Brand creates an historical moment

FGB Chief Executive Officer Henry Minson was elated with the company milestone, “This is an exciting day in the history of Bosisto’s. As a local, family-owned business, we’re incredibly proud to make this investment to strengthen production capabilities for Australian eucalyptus oil and provide a platform for sustainable growth.”

“We have been drawing on the natural qualities of eucalyptus oil since 1852. It’s incredibly versatile, from being a powerful antiseptic to a wonderful cleaner with a refreshing aroma people love. We’re proud to produce this amazing product in Australia,” Henry Minson added

The opening of the Kurraca VIC distillery reinforces Bosisto’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and supporting regional Australian communities, as it has done for 174 years.

*The historic family-owned Bosisto’s company has modernised its purpose-built steam distillery to be a fully sustainable operation from start to finish – Image: Bosisto’s*

Bosisto’s engaged regional suppliers throughout the distillery construction and seven additional permanent jobs have been created, including five direct jobs on site.

The project is also expected to have a positive economic impact on Victorian manufacturing and the local supply chain. It was supported by the Victorian Government through the Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program.

Minister for Regional Development, Michaela Settle said, “Bosisto’s is a long-running success story for regional Victoria, and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to support the next chapter, which will see a boost to regional production.”

Loddon Shire Council Mayor, Dan Straub outlined how the distillery was great news for the local region: “Bosisto’s have been a part of our strong local community for many decades and this investment is a vote of confidence in our region, bringing advanced manufacturing technology, new jobs and indirect economic activity for local businesses and suppliers.”

Bosisto’s natural benefits

Eucalyptus oil is a natural product, distilled commercially since 1852 and its use has been developed in a wide range of personal and household uses.

As Australia’s main eucalyptus brand Bosisto’s continues to provide naturally effective products that are a favourite for Aussie families.

Bosisto’s range of Eucalyptus oil products are available at pharmacies and retailers nationwide in categories including essential oils, cough and cold, cleaning, laundry, personal care and aromatherapy.

*When family patriarch Peter Abbott took over the Bosisto’s brand name in 1974 some workers still used a horse and cart to harvest eucalyptus leaves – Image: Bosisto’s*

Family legacy behind the brand

Locally grown eucalyptus oil flourished for more than 80 years until it hit a roadblock in 1950 when it became hard to compete with the bulk volume of oils imported from Spain and Portugal.

Local product was on a backburner until current owners the Abbott family purchased the remnants of Felton Grimwade & Bickford the then owner of the Bosisto’s brand in 1974 and started a progressive era for locally grown eucalyptus oil.

Two generations of Abbotts have nurtured Bosisto’s eucalyptus plantations with the brand now managing almost 4100ha (10000-acres) of trees – Image: Bosisto’s

The brand made a remarkable charge in sales in 1987 when it launched Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Spray. Pure essential oil in a spray can with the heady eucalyptus aroma made its way into almost every Aussie home for a more convenient way of cleaning, laundry and freshening.

The Bosisto’s company has been spearheaded by the Abbott family for 52 years, for when they took over production was at a cottage industry level with horses and carts still used to cut and transport trees.

Peter Abbott dreamt of seeing the Australian eucalyptus oil industry prosper and was passionate about bringing the process into the 21st century and modernising it. He lived to see that ambition reached prior to his passing in 2022, aged 92.

For the Abbott family it has been an accumulation of a lot of hard work, getting on and planting more trees and expanding the eucalyptus oil industry.

From aches and pains, coughs and colds to antiseptics, laundry washes and air fresheners the Bosisto’s brand has offered comfort to Aussie families since its commercial release in 1852.