Ringier summit offers solutions to F&B, plastics challenges

Giving delegates a more rounded approach to industry issues, Ringier Trade Media Ltd merged its Indonesia conferences for Food and Beverage and Plastics into the two-day event titled Asia Manufacturing Summit: Food and Beverages, Plastic Packaging and Plastic Recycling Technology.

The conference was held on 27-28 August 2019 at the JS Luwansa Hotel and Convention Center, with the support of The Food Industry Asia, the Indonesia Packaging Federation, the Industry Plastic Recycling Association, and the Indonesian Plastics Recyclers, as well as sponsorship from 13 companies namely Frigel Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., Dase-Sing Group, Dyson Technology Limited, Sesotec Pte Ltd. Dongguan Alfa Automation Technology Limited, Eversleeve Enterprise Co., Ltd., FCS Group, Dongguan Hostar Hot Runner Technical Co., Ltd, ShenZhen IBS  Electronic Co., LTD, Guangzhou Flower Flavours Co. Ltd, Ever Polymer Co., Ltd, Dongguan KEERHAN Machinery Co.,Ltd, and ING YU.

Asia Manufacturing Summit attracted 300 delegates, among them coming from major companies such as Ajinomoto, Calbee Wings, Dow Indonesia, Firmenich, Mayora, Nutrifood, Olaga Foods, PT Indolakto, Johnson & Johnson, Krones, Suntory, Unilever, and URC.

300 delegates attended Ringier's 5th F&B and plastics event in Jakarta, Asia Manufacturing SummitFood and Beverages, Plastic Packaging and Plastic Recycling Technology.

The expanded programme with two tracks included 28 presentations on topics now gaining interest among industry stakeholders. It included developments in smart manufacturing, product reformulation, plastic packaging, and opportunities and challenges for investors eyeing the Indonesian market. As the F&B industry accounts for a large share of plastic use, attention to plastic reduction, its waste management and recycling was key to the conference agenda, and discussed in Track 1.

Indonesia’s food and beverage processing sector requires high quality ingredients and technologies, therefore in Track 2, speakers presented on halal certification and inspection, ingredients for shelf life extension, the opportunities in plant-based products, synchronized cooling systems, and Industry 4.0 for the F&B sector, among others.

During the plenary, Mr. Henky Wibawa, Executive Director of Indonesia Packaging Federation (IPF), provided an overview of Indonesia's packaging industry, with focus on the industry’s growth and consumer behaviour.

For plastics, Mr. Tony Huang, Executive Assistant of Dase-Sing Packaging Technology Co., Ltd., one of the sponsors of the event, talked about solutions in the production of shrink sleeve, and Mr Patrick Loo, B2B Regional Director, Asia of Dyson Technology Limited presented on sustainable washroom through Dyson Airblade Technology.  Robotics was the focus of the presentations by Mr. Frank Yu, Assistant General Manager, Dongguan Alfa Automation Technology Limited, who discussed how robots can boost plastics production, and Mr. Chong Von Kee, CEO of InnoArk Pte. Ltd. shared his expert insights on how to start in Industry 4.0.

Tony Huang, Executive Assistant of Dase-Sing Packaging Technology Co., Ltd 

With reformulation a key topic in F&B processing, organisers invited Mr. Steven Bartholomeusz, Policy Director of Food Industry Asia from Singapore, for an update on how companies are innovating to meet consumer demand.   

Ms Finy Saptarita, Sales and Customer Service Senior Manager at PT Sucofindo Laboratory gave a preview of the company’s services specifically in supporting Halal certification and testing. Delegates were able to check out Sucofindo’s laboratories during a visit to their facility in Cibitung.

Finy Saptarita, Sales and Customer Service Senior Manager at PT Sucofindo Laboratory 

Track 1 Plastic Packaging and Processing

The plastic packaging and recycling track covered hot issues concerning plastics consumption and recycling. As the global plastics industry moves forward toward achieving a circular economy, sustainability and recycling are now more important than ever.

On the first day of the plastics and recycling session, Mr. Yadi Suryadi, Sales Area Manager at Frigel Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., talked about intelligent cooling solutions for the plastics industry.

Ms Deva Dharmapuspa, Supply Chain & QA Business Unit Head of Asia Dynapack, shared her knowledge of creating unique sustainable packaging.

Wilson Pandhika, Secretary General of Indonesian Plastics Recyclers (IPR)

In the area of recycling, the potential and challenge of using recycled plastics for consumer goods was tackled by Mr. Wilson Pandhika, Secretary General of Indonesian Plastics Recyclers (IPR), while Mr. Tan Wei Kar, Sales and Marketing Manager, Ever Polymer Co. Ltd. Provided an overview on Everlon TPE applications in the packaging industry.  Mr. Michele Colombari, Regional Sales Manager, FIMIC Srl offered useful information on automatic and continuous melt filtration solutions for contaminated plastics recycling, while Mr. Billy Tjang, President of  PT Bilplast Grapindo talked about smart Manufacturing for future plastics production cell.  Mr. Karyana, Sales Manager of PT. Solusi Inspeksi Asia, explained the advantages of using metal detectors as an important part of processing.

Andrianto Gunawan of PT Repal represented ADUPI during the Summit, amd spoke on recycling in Indonesia

On the second day, the plastic packaging and recycling track had Mr. Andrianto Gunawan, representing the Summit’s partner association ADUPI, discussed the issues and problems of recycling in Indonesia. While on his second opportunity presenting for Ringier delegates, Mr. David Christian, Founder and Director of Evoware, shared the company’s experiences and strategies, with a focus on rethinking plastics. Mr. Siddharth Hande, Founder & CEO of Kabadiwalla Connect, discussed the role of the informal sector in the developing world for efficient and inclusive waste management. 

David Christian, founder and director of Evoware which produces edible packaging and utensils, shares his company's strategies related to plastics

Track 2 Food and Beverage

The food manufacturing track included presentations from Mr. Kirby Johnson, Sales Director at Frigel Asia Pacific Co. Ltd. who will talk about the innovations in food & beverage cooling utilizing Frigel’s synchronized cooling system. Mr. Olivier Tichit, Director of Sustainable Supply Chain Musim Mas discussed the many functions and benefits of sustainable palm oil in extending the food product shelf life.

From Everlon, the leading brand of Ever Polymer Co., Ltd., sales director Vincent Liao presented on multilayer films and Easy Peel for packaging.

Ms. Muti Arintawati, M. Si, Vice Director of Assessment Institution of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Majelis Ulama Indonesia (LPPOM MUI) gave an update on Halal certiciation process ramifications.

Industry 4.0 for Indonesia's F&B industry was the topic of Dr. Iwan Surjawan's informative talk.

Dr. Iwan Surjawan, Head of Food Technology Department of the Indonesia International Institute of Life Sciences, offered an overview on the opportunities and challenges of Industry 4.0 for food & beverage industry in Indonesia.

Mr Peter Thoeysen, Director for at Chr. Hansen talked about keeping dairy products fresh and safe with food cultures. Mr. Teguh Setiawan, General Manager of PT Setiawan Solusi Tecknik presented the benefits of the Sesotec Raycon dual energy for low density detection.

 Peter Thoeysen, Director, Commercial Development – Dairy Bioprotection, Chr Hansen, presented on cultures for extending shelf life

Other talks during the food and beverage sessions, included interesting insights from Ms. Melisa, a Senior Associate and International Business Advisory of Dezan Shira & Associates and Ms. Agustin, Managing Partner at Indonesia Global Law Firm, on the challenges and opportunities for overseas investors in the Indonesian food and beverage industry. 

Mr. Christian Nguyen Cadeo, Managing Partner at Big Idea Ventures, discussed the rise of plant-based and clean meat food on the global  landscape. 

Christian Nguyen Cadeo of Big Idea Ventures, reported on investment opportunities in plant-based food and clean meat in Asia

Panel discussion on sustainable packaging

A panel discussion led by IPF members including Henky Wibawa, Executive Director, and Ariana Sustanti, Business Development Director, gave delegates further opportunities to listen in on sustainability efforts going on in Indonesia and across the globe.

Industry experts tackle issues in recycling and sustainable production during the panel discussion.

Besides the presentations, the conference provided sponsor companies an opportunity to showcase their products, equipment and services to delegates, and this event booked 13 tables.

Participants were also given many occasions to network and build rapport through the organised welcome dinner, cocktail party, and match-making services.   

At Sucofindo's facilities in Cibitung

Visitors ask about Halal testing and certification

Two Factory tours

Two factory tours were organised for delegates, one to PT Dynapack, a manufacturer of rigid packaging for various industries including food and beverage and pharmaceuticals. Dynapak showcased the equipment including robotics for packaging.

The second tour was to Sucofindo Laboratory, a leading inspection center with services in inspection and audit, assessment and analysis, certification, consultation, and training. Participants to the facility were mostly interested in Halal certification and inspection, and had the chance for a long Q&A with Sucofindo officers.

Based on the delegate evaluation, the conference was rated highly favourable by delegates, and other participants including sponsors and speakers.  Nearly 99% said the conference met their expectations for the conference in general, and 98% said they learned much from the conference and liked the format of the presentations.