Thailand’s ProPak Asia courts Indian manufacturers amid packaging, automation push

As Indian manufacturers ramp up investments in automation, sustainability, and advanced packaging, a major Asian industry exhibition in Bangkok is positioning itself as a gateway to new technology and regional partnerships.

ProPak Asia 2026, one of the region’s largest trade exhibitions for processing and packaging technology, will take place in June at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani exhibition complex in Bangkok, moving to a larger venue as participation from global suppliers and Asian manufacturers expands.

Organisers say the show, now in its 30th year, is increasingly drawing attention from Indian companies seeking to modernise production lines and explore export markets across Southeast Asia.

The exhibition, organised by Informa Markets, will feature more than 2,500 brands from 45 countries, showcasing technologies spanning food processing, beverage production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, and consumer goods manufacturing.

“India is one of the fastest-growing markets for food processing, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods manufacturing,” said Sanchai Noombunnam, Country General Manager for Thailand at Informa Markets. “We are seeing increasing interest from Indian companies looking to upgrade production and packaging capabilities and connect with partners across global markets.”

For Indian manufacturers, the timing is notable. The country’s food processing, pharmaceutical, and fast-moving consumer goods industries are investing heavily in automated production lines, traceability systems, and sustainable packaging as regulators tighten quality and environmental standards.

At the same time, rising labour costs and pressure to improve efficiency are pushing companies to adopt robotics, artificial intelligence, and smart-factory systems—technologies that will feature prominently at the Bangkok exhibition.

The 2026 edition will expand its exhibition space by roughly 20% to 65,000 square metres, allowing for larger machinery displays and live production line demonstrations. Organisers expect the show to attract around 80,000 industry professionals from across ASEAN, China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Europe.

Exhibitors will display technologies across the entire production value chain—from raw-material processing, filling systems, and packaging to labelling, inspection, cold-chain logistics. and warehousing.

Key technology themes at the event include AI-driven automation, robotics, machine vision systems, Industrial Internet of Things platforms, and data-driven production monitoring, along with innovations in energy efficiency and water optimisation.

Sustainability is expected to dominate discussions. Manufacturers are increasingly experimenting with recyclable and reusable packaging formats, lightweight materials, circular production systems, and digital product identity technologies to meet tightening environmental regulations and consumer expectations.

The exhibition will also feature nine specialised industry zones, including ProcessingTechAsia, DrinkTechAsia, PharmaTechAsia, and Cold Chain, Logistics and Warehousing Asia, alongside a newly introduced DigitalizationAsia segment focused on smart manufacturing.

Beyond the exhibition floor, the event will host a series of conferences, technical seminars, and industry forums addressing regulatory changes, supply-chain shifts, and digital transformation strategies affecting global manufacturing.

Dedicated platforms such as the ProPak Stage, ProPak Gourmet, and ProPak Drinksphere will feature expert talks and live demonstrations on food processing, beverage manufacturing and packaging innovation.

For Indian companies looking beyond domestic markets, Southeast Asia’s fast-growing consumer base makes the region an increasingly attractive destination. Industry executives say trade events such as ProPak Asia offer an opportunity to evaluate new technologies and forge partnerships with regional distributors and equipment suppliers.

With its expanded scale and growing international participation, organisers say the 2026 edition aims to reinforce its position as Asia’s largest business platform for processing and packaging technologies, connecting global technology providers with one of the world’s fastest-growing manufacturing regions.