Show highlights technology for future growth

TIPREX 2009, the Thai International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition, will open in Bangkok, Thailand on September 23, 2009 at an opportune time when the global economy is showing signs of recovery. The first signs that the world economy is on the rebound are emerging from the US while wide-ranging restructuring of the global manufacturing industry as a result of the recession is expected to increasingly emphasize cost-effective production in countries like Thailand. As the organizers stressed, TIPREX 2009 is a must-attend event for all involved in the plastics and rubber sector as they prepare for the upturn. Both the Plastics Industry Club and The Thai Plastic Industries Association (TPIA) are in agreement regarding the benefits of exhibiting at and visiting TIPREX 2009. With a total of 2,600 processing operations nationwide, Thailand represents a significant market for plastics processing solutions. Strong government support, coupled with strong demand for packaging and consumer products in the domestic market and Thailand's role as an exporter to neighboring countries in Indochina guarantee concrete business opportunities with key decision makers at TIPREX 2009. TIPREX 2009 will be the meeting place for the international plastics and rubber sectors and will introduce the latest cutting-edge processing solutions, technologies and products to Thailand and the Indochina region. Exhibit categories will include machinery and equipment for the plastics and rubber industries, plastics and rubber products, raw materials and services. The successful debut of TIPREX 2006 reflected the strong support from both leading international, regional and Thai exhibiting companies including the four national pavilions from Austria, Germany, Italy and Singapore. The first exhibition presented a comprehensive range of machinery and equipment, processing solutions and services from 192 exhibitors to 7,573 trade visitors and buyers from 50 countries of which 88% came from Thailand. Thai plastics processing still strong The plastics processors in Thailand view advanced technologies as essential for their successful competition in the global marketplace. According to the Plastics Industry Club of the Thai Federation of Industries (FTI), the processed food products sector in Thailand remains strong despite the difficult economic times, and consumption of plastics in this segment is stable. While the industry continues to grow, converters are facing more technical challenges in terms of increasingly complex designs and selection of appropriate raw materials. Manufacturers are therefore looking to implement more sophisticated processing tools such as flexible production solutions that are capable of producing packaging products at global standards. Due to the restructuring in the global automotive sector, increased vehicle production in Thailand is expected. This will benefit the nation's well established base of SMEs that supply plastic products and components to the industry. The Thai Plastics Industry Association emphasized that the plastics industry in Thailand needs to be modernized in order to compete with other countries and continually exceed the expectations of its customers. To assist processors in gaining a competitive advantage, the FTI's Plastic Industry Club and TPIA are in the process of establishing the Thai Plastic Institute. The Institute's key objectives will include human resource improvement, product design and development, establishing codes of practice, promoting environmental responsibilities, developing resins and plastic compounds, reducing import reliance and increasing production in the domestic market. These initiatives will also help to boost requirements for advanced, energy efficient processing machinAir Jordan