The global packaging industry is experiencing rapid development even with the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its report, ResearchandMarkets estimates the global plastic packaging market size to reach $320.94 billion by 2027, registering a revenue-based CAGR of 4.0% over the forecast period. The market is stimulated by rising demand for plastic packaging from the food and beverage (F&B) and industrial packaging sectors.

Another important trend is achieving a circular economy in plastics where the plastics industry redefines plastics use by designing out waste and pollution. Instead, the target is for plastics products to be used, reduced, and recycled -- for a maximum re-use within a life cycle. To date, many well-known F&B packaging manufacturers have committed investments to achieve a circular economy, and more are expected to participate in the future. Against this scenario, the introduction of new processing technologies and high performance materials to create sustainable packaging with improved properties has become a priority among leading industry players.

Organised by Ringier Events, the “Asia Plastics Summit: Breakthrough Technologies & Materials for Sustainable Production,” held on November 13, 2020 focused on key developments and trends in the production of F&B packaging. This virtual summit gathered experts from well-known brands as they discussed industry-leading technologies, production processes and material solutions aimed at improving the sustainability of F&B packaging. The event looked at how the world is moving to a point where packaging is sourced responsibly, designed to be effective and safe, is recycled or reused throughout its life cycle so that it has a minimal impact on the environment. 

The virtual summit started with an overview on the global trends in sustainable packaging by Mr. Henky Wibawa, a leading expert on Southeast Asian packaging industry and currently the Executive Director of the Indonesia Packaging Federation (IPF).  This was followed by a presentation by the summit’s sponsor, Dase-Sing Packaging Technology Co. LTD where Mr. Tony Huang, Executive Assistant, presented Dase-Sing’s innovative shrink sleeve solutions. The latest breed of recycling technologies was also covered with Mr. Rodelio Espinosa, Head of Sales of Krones Filipinas Inc., presenting the benefits of Krones Metapure Recycling Solutions. Another sponsor, FIMIC Srl, represented by its Regional Sales Manager Ms. Aria Chen discussed FIMIC’s automatic melt filter for the recycling of contaminated plastics. Another attention-grabbing presentation by Mr. Ludwig Smidtchen, Application Engineer (Biopolymers) at Brabender GmbH, covered seaweed-based packaging which can set the trend for tomorrow’s packaging industry. www.ringierevents.com