ProPak Philippines showcases innovation for MSMEs

ProPak Philippines 2020 kicked off today 5 February 2020 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, with a simple opening ceremony led by Mr M Gandhi, president of UBM Exhibitions Philippines Inc and senior vice president of Informa Markets Asia, who welcomed exhibitors and VIPs to the event.

Keynote speaker Department of Trade & Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, stated that ProPak Philippines aims to “level up” the capabilities of the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and help them improve their products through innovation.

He said that MSMEs account for over 99% of companies in the Philippines, and one of their biggest challenges is finding the right packaging for their products. The first ProPak Philippines in 2019 already brought many successes to local companies in this regard, he said. Mr Lopez added that DTI continues to support manufacturers through the Pack! Pinas roadshow which introduces the latest packaging technologies to MSMEs across the country.

The Hon. Representative Weslie Gatchalian, chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Industry, also graced the opening ceremony of ProPak Philippines, along Jean Pierre Pienaar, president of the World Packaging Organization (WPO), Nerida Kelton, executive director of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), Stefano Paolo Buñag, president of the Packaging Institute of the Philippines, and Dr Lotis Francisco, president of the Philippine Association of Food Technologists (PAFT).

Department of Trade & Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez 

ProPak Philippines boasts over 400 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, and currently features advanced packaging technologies and solutions aimed at various sectors including food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. Among exhibitors are: Asia Integrated Machine, Benison, Bühler, Calvatis, Clearpack, Filtec, Filpet, Gerricke, Heat & Control, Igus, JBT, Robopac, Sweco, Toplax, Toyo Machine, Urschel, Videojet, Wolf, and Rieckermann. Unfortunately, the China Pavilion is unable to participate as travel from China, Macau, and Hong Kong is still restricted due to the novel coronavirus (n-CoV) crisis.  This year, the number of visitors is expected to reach about 12,000.

Seminars and conferences

The Department of Science & Technology (DOST) has gathered experts speaking on packaging for the ageing population; global trends in graphics, structural and supply chain packaging design; and packaging R&D in the DOST.

The Philippine Association of Food Technologists (PAFT) shares its knowledge on timely topics affecting packaging such as chemical migration and scalping of flavours.

The Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA) together with packaging companies, will hold five seminars on topics such as smart packaging, augmented reality, and ink safety.

The Food Safety Trends PH will conduct seminars on environmental monitoring programme, and food allergen management, while Asia Integrated Machine Inc will talk about autonomous mobile robots.

Workshops will be conducted by the Australian Institute of Packaging and the Philippine Institute of Packaging on food waste prevention, sustainable packaging, and circular economy.

ProPak Philippines is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Packaging Institute of the Philippines, Australian Institute of Packaging, Dairy Confederation of the Philippines (DairyCon), Philippine Association of Food Technologists, Inc.(PAFT), Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Production and Operations Management Association of the Philippines (PROMAP), Philippine Printing Technical Foundation (PPTF), Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc (AFFI), Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP), Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc (PAMPI), and Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP).

Organisers of the event, UBM Exhibitions Philippines Inc., under Informa Markets, said that they have the necessary permit from the city government of Pasay to conduct the event. UBM assures participants and visitors that precautionary measures are in place and this includes guaranteeing safety and hygiene within the premises through disinfecting and misting, and temperature screening. Medical professionals, standby ambulances, and first aid stations are available.

In 2019, the first edition of ProPak Philippines gathered 386 exhibitors from 30 countries, and set up nine country pavilions. It also attracted about 9,229 trade visitors from 28 countries.

ProPak Philippines continues from 6 to 7 February, and is open from 10 am to 6 pm at the World Trade Center

Related report:  ProPak Philippines to showcase total solutions