ProPak Asia 2020: Manufacturing in the new normal

What does it take to survive the pandemic and move onto the post-pandemic new normal which is emphasising safety, e-commerce, and development of green products?

During a panel discussion attended by Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, Informa Markets, and Creative Industry Development, partakers recommend the manufacturing industry to use the technology to their advantage as well as boost product development, according to a ProPak Asia news release. 

The report quotes Dr. Chutima Eamchotchawalit, governor of Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) as saying that it “is essential to differentiate products and meet the needs of consumers in order to accommodate the changes according to the New Normal, where consumers demand for more standards and safety.”

TISTR has a wealth of research and provides services throughout the value chain in product manufacturing. At ProPak Asia, their experts will be available for consultation in areas of product development, etc.

Creativity as a business tool

Creating value to products is key to survival in the new normal, according to Wanpen Ratanakungwal, director of Division of Creative Industry Development under the Department of Industry Promotion (DIP). This division held the ThaiStar Packaging Awards 2020 to help promote packaging design, and will exhibit entries during ProPak Asia.

In the same report by Informa Markets, she said “creative industry is playing more important role for current businesses because it can create value to new products as well as add value to existing products. With this, products will be diverse to meet certain consumer demand. This is a challenge to those in the packaging industry where product protection, attractive design, sustainability, and cost reduction are crucial to success.  

Based on Thailand’s performance in the past few months, the manufacturing sector has begun to pick up the pace. There are signs of recovery, according to Rungpetch Chitanuwat, group director for ASEAN at Informa Markets, an organizer of ProPak Asia 2020. During the panel discussion, she said companies across the globe remain optimistic in the country’s businesses, and manufacturing capability owing to the “high quality and standard of products.” Aside from this, she said Thailand is a “good role model in adaptive capacity through technological adoption and product development.”

These will all be evident in ProPak Asia 2020, which is to take place from 20-23 October at BITEC Bangna, Bangkok. Exhibitors can also be reached via the digital platform BEPlace from 19 to 23 Ocrober.