BANGKOK — Investment in packaging and processing technologies across Southeast Asia is expected to remain resilient this year, supported largely by strong demand from the food and beverage sector and expanding consumer markets in the region.
Sanchai Noombunnam, Informa Markets country general manager for Thailand, said manufacturers are accelerating upgrades in automation and production systems to remain competitive amid shifting global supply chains.
“Despite ongoing trade uncertainties and shifting global supply chains, demand for processing and packaging technologies across Asean remains strong,” Noombunnam told The Manila Times.
“Manufacturers are increasingly investing in equipment that improves efficiency, automation, and production resilience to meet stricter food safety regulations, export standards, and sustainability requirements,” he added.
Noombunnam said the region’s growing manufacturing base and expanding consumer markets were supporting steady demand for packaging and processing systems, particularly in sectors linked to food production, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals.
The food and beverage sector remains the largest contributor to investments in packaging technologies across Southeast Asia, he added, as companies in this industry are increasingly adopting advanced packaging solutions.
“The food and beverage sector remains the largest driver of investment in packaging technologies across Southeast Asia due to growing consumer demand, urbanization, and expanding food exports,” he said.
“The consumer goods and FMCG sector is also investing heavily in packaging innovations that improve product protection, convenience, and sustainability.
The pharmaceutical sector is also becoming an increasingly important part of the regional packaging ecosystem.
According to Noombunnam, pharmaceutical companies account for around 15 percent to 20 percent of the overall industry profile at ProPak Asia, reflecting the sector’s growing demand for specialized manufacturing and packaging solutions across Asia.
This outlook comes as preparations are underway for ProPak Asia 2026, one of the region’s largest trade exhibitions for processing and packaging technologies, which will be held from June 10 to 13, 2026 at the Impact Muang Thong Thani Challenger Hall in Bangkok.
Noombunnam said around 1,000 Filipino participants and exhibitors are expected to take part in the trade exhibition.
The event is also expected to feature more than 2,500 exhibiting brands from 45 countries and around 18,000 technologies and machinery solutions covering the entire processing and packaging value chain, including filling systems, labeling, inspection, cold chain logistics and warehousing solutions.
“In today’s environment, uncertainty is pushing industry to upgrade faster,” Noombunnam said.
“ProPak Asia 2026 will help companies access the technologies, partners and insights they need to improve efficiency, strengthen quality and compliance, and build more sustainable operations — from production and processing to packaging, warehousing and logistics,” he added.
Automation tech spending
Noombunnam said manufacturers were also increasing their spending on technologies that support automation, smart factory systems and digital monitoring in a bid to reduce operational costs while improving production efficiency.
“The 2026 edition will spotlight next-generation technologies, including AI-powered automation, robotics, smart factory systems, IoT (Internet of Things)-enabled production monitoring, advanced processing equipment, cold chain innovations, and sustainable packaging materials and design,” he added.
Noombunnam said many companies no longer viewed sustainability investments purely as regulatory compliance requirements but increasingly saw them as opportunities to strengthen brand value and improve long-term competitiveness.
“For small and mid-sized manufacturers, the focus is often on cost-effective upgrades such as lightweight packaging materials, recyclable packaging formats, and more energy-efficient machinery that can deliver both environmental benefits and operational savings,” he said.
Moreover, concerns about excessive plastic packaging in the fast-growing e-commerce sector have also prompted packaging suppliers across Asean to develop more sustainable alternatives.
“Packaging suppliers and manufacturers are developing more sustainable and cost-effective solutions, such as recyclable mailers, paper-based cushioning materials, right-sized packaging designs, and reusable delivery packaging systems,” he said.
“There is also growing collaboration between packaging companies, logistics providers, and e-commerce platforms to optimize packaging design so that it reduces material usage while maintaining product protection during transport.”