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Informa Markets is upgrading ProPak Asia 2026 to a regional platform for manufacturing and packaging business and innovation, relocating the event to IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, expanding the exhibition space by 20% to over 60,000 square meters. This move embraces the Industry 5.0 trend, where humans, AI, and machines collaborate. Over 80,000 visitors are expected, generating 5.5 billion baht in trade value. Mr. Sanchai Numbunnum, General Manager of Informa Markets Thailand, the organizer of ProPak Asia 2026, stated that the future direction of the manufacturing industry is moving towards Industry 5.0, which integrates humans, AI, and automation to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve production quality to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market.
Meanwhile, the global food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries are transitioning from mass production to more flexible, hyper-intentioned manufacturing, requiring businesses to rapidly adapt to smart factories and processes driven by data, technology, and innovation.
Mr. Sanchai stated that moving ProPak Asia 2026 to IMPACT Muang Thong Thani is not just a change of venue, but reflects a vision to elevate the event from a regional platform to the goal of becoming a global hub for manufacturing and packaging innovation. This year’s event will feature a 20% increase in space, totaling over 60,000 square meters, to accommodate the display of cutting-edge smart machinery and production lines from world-class manufacturers. These will be demonstrated in real-time, a highlight rarely seen at regional events. The event also features a new zone, the Digitalisation Asia Zone & Intelligent Automation, delving into innovative machinery, manufacturing solutions, data-driven systems, the use of AI, machine learning, data analytics, AI-powered factory management, and collaborative robots that can work alongside humans.
Furthermore, ProPak Asia 2026 serves as a Sustainability Gateway, providing a wealth of knowledge on sustainability through local and regional seminars, conferences, and workshops. Over 100 experts will participate, decoding industry trends such as the future of food, global food security, and Lab & Test Asia, which focuses on international testing standards. This year’s event features 2,500 leading brands from 45 countries, along with 13 international pavilions representing countries and groups, including South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, France, the United Kingdom, North America, India, Italy, Australia, and Bavaria. Informa Markets expects ProPak Asia 2026 to attract over 80,000 visitors from around the world and generate over 5.5 billion baht in trade and business negotiations.
Mr. Sanchai stated that ProPak Asia 2026 is not just a marketplace for machinery, but a platform connecting the entire total value chain, from processing and packaging to smart warehousing and cold chain transportation. Informa Markets Thailand aims to propel ProPak Asia to become the number one processing and packaging trade show in the Asia Pacific region by 2027 and a global event by 2028.
Dr. Patchtra Maneesin, Deputy Governor for Research and Development, responsible for sustainable development at the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), stated that TISTR aims to utilize science, technology, and innovation (STI) to support the policy of transforming Thailand into a global food security hub. TISTR’s key strategies include creating high-value food innovations, or Future Food; utilizing processing technologies to reduce food loss and waste; and developing environmentally friendly packaging, all of which align with the BCG Economy concept.
At ProPak Asia 2026, TISTR will showcase its work under the theme “TISTR Total Solution,” including innovative products ready for commercialization, one-on-one consultations through business matching, and the winning entries from the ThailandStar Packaging Awards 2026, under the concept “Packaging Beyond the Box: Overcoming Limitations Towards the Packaging of the Future.” This year, over 100 entries were submitted to the competition. The awards ceremony will be held on June 11, 2026, and winning entries will be eligible to compete in the regional AsiaStar and the global WorldStar competitions.
Dr. Wisit Limluecha, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Processed Food and Future Food Strategy Committee of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Chambers of Commerce, stated that Thai food exports continue to maintain their level in Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets. The Middle East, in particular, presents a significant opportunity due to its high reliance on food imports (50-90%).
However, Thailand still exports a high proportion of traditional agricultural and commodity products, reaching 90%, while future foods account for only about 10%. Therefore, it is a crucial challenge for businesses to accelerate the upgrading of their products through innovation and production technology, such as functional foods, plant-based products, and products with reduced sugar, salt, and fat.
Dr. Wisit said that ProPak Asia 2026 is a strategic partnership that helps businesses access cutting-edge processing and packaging technologies to add value to their products, reduce production losses, extend shelf life, and expand business opportunities through networking with partners from around the world. Meanwhile, Dr. Thongdee Paso, Chairman of the Food and Beverage Industry Group of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that the Thai food and beverage industry is at a critical juncture amidst the impacts of war, the energy crisis, food security, and climate change, which affect costs and global food supply chains.
Although Thai food exports have shown signs of decline over the past three years, opportunities still exist in this crisis if businesses quickly adapt, restructure, add value, and expand into new emerging markets with high purchasing power and a need for food security. Dr. Thongdee stated that entrepreneurs must accelerate product development, improve quality, and create added value, instead of competing on quantity and price. This is especially true for processed foods, health foods, foods for the elderly, and foods of the future. Furthermore, they should utilize technology to reduce costs, enhance competitiveness, and minimize production waste. ProPak Asia 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 10-13, 2026 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani. The organizers expect it to be a key platform connecting Thai businesses, especially SMEs and startups, with essential manufacturing, packaging, and innovation technologies necessary to compete in the modern global market.
Read more at: https://www.prachachat.net/economy/news-2003187