ProPak Asia 2026 opens, driving Industry 5.0 shift to position Thailand as global F&B hub

ProPak Asia 2026 has officially opened, featuring a collaboration between Informa Markets Thailand, the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and various domestic and international trade organizations. The event showcases modern manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and automated machinery from more than 2,500 leading global brands. It brings together over 100 experts to share knowledge, aiming to prepare operators for the transition to Industry 5.0. The exhibition is expected to attract over 80,000 international visitors and generate up to 5.5 billion baht in trade and business negotiation value.

Mr. Sanchai Noombunnam, Country General Manager of Informa Markets Thailand and organizer of ProPak Asia 2026, noted during the opening that modern machinery, AI, and automation have transformed the entire industrial system. While Asean remains a crucial global food production base, current industry factors and technological advancements are accelerating the shift toward Industry 5.0. He stated that human-technology collaboration today goes beyond replacing labor; it makes production smarter and more flexible. ProPak Asia 2026 serves as a key regional platform for processing, packaging, and sustainable food and beverage manufacturing. It acts as an annual meeting point for all sectors of the global food industry to exchange knowledge, share experiences, build business networks, and reinforce Thailand's role as a regional manufacturing and innovation hub.

Expanded space and smart manufacturing zones

The exhibition has relocated to the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani, increasing its size by 20% to encompass 60,000 square meters. This expansion accommodates real-time demonstrations of modern intelligent machinery and production lines, which is a rare feature for regional events. A new "DigitalisationAsia Zone & Intelligent Automation" area has been added to delve into innovative machinery and solutions. The event hosts 2,500 brands and features 13 international pavilions representing South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, France, the UK, North America, India, Italy, Australia, and Bavaria.

Various knowledge-sharing platforms are organized, including the ProPak Stage, ProPak Gourmet, ProPak Drinksphere, Future Food Corner, Creative Design Village, and DIPROM Pavilion. Sustainability-focused stages include the PPKA Zero Hunger Walk and Old for New. Over 100 global experts will lead local and regional seminars, conferences, and workshops. Key sessions include:

• Global Packaging Forum 2026

• Asia Food Safety Forum (AFSF) 2026

• Food Innovation Asia Conference

• Hydration and Health: The Role of Beverages in Wellness and Longevity

• AI-Powered Food Factory of Tomorrow: Smart Robots and Digital Twins for Modern Thai Food Factories

This comprehensive event provides Thai and Asean operators with access to knowledge, investment opportunities, and technologies that elevate high-value, tech-driven production.

Global packaging trends and sustainability

Ms. Luciana Pellegrino, President of the World Packaging Organization (WPO), stated that the packaging industry is undergoing a major transition and faces pressure to enhance efficiency and performance while continuously innovating. This has accelerated the adoption of AI alongside sustainable development guidelines. Citing data from Fortune Business Insights (FBI), she noted that the global packaging market is projected to reach approximately US$1.14 trillion in 2026, with an average annual growth rate of 4-5% expected through 2034. This growth is driven by a full shift toward a circular economy, the use of easy-to-recycle mono-materials, and the increased utilization of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic to comply with strict global environmental regulations. Meanwhile, smart packaging featuring QR codes and Near Field Communication (NFC) is becoming the new standard to enhance product transparency, tracking, and traceability.

The WPO is highly pleased to support ProPak Asia 2026 as a strategic partner to help elevate the event into a global stage for technology exchange and business networking. The organization co-hosts in-depth sustainability seminars, connects the Thai and Asean packaging industries to international platforms like the WorldStar Awards, and strengthens the packaging ecosystem through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange among global stakeholders.

Equipping Thai businesses for global leadership

Dr.Thongdee Paso, Chairman of the Food and Beverage Industry Club at The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), described ProPak Asia 2026 as a crucial jigsaw piece and a world-class platform hosted domestically. He said it offers a strong opportunity for operators, from SMEs to large corporations, to experience modern production technologies and innovations. The food and beverage industry is vital to the Thai economy in terms of revenue generation, job creation, and adding value to local raw materials. It operates as an economic system linking farmers to end consumers.

The FTI fully supports the event to drive the Thai industry forward and will host a panel discussion on the ProPak Stage titled "Asia F&B Industry Outlook: Economic Signals & Game Changer," addressing the economic overview and adaptation strategies. The FTI is confident that this multi-sector collaboration will equip Thai operators to handle the transition and emerge as strong, sustainable leaders in the global market.

ProPak Asia 2026 runs from June 10-13, 2026, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. Details are available at www.propakasia.com.