ProPak Asia 2026 is set to revolutionise ASEAN’s food manufacturing, processing, and packaging industries. Amid global challenges, the event highlights cutting-edge technologies, strategies, and innovations that address food security, sustainability, and efficiency.
Ms. Kotchasorn Tocharoentanapol, deputy event director at Informa Markets Thailand, revealed the direction of the food manufacturing and processing industry amid current global conflicts and uncertainties, noting that these conflicts have widespread impacts across various global industries. Although the food industry remains crucial and highly resilient, business operators face numerous challenging factors affecting both production and exports, such as volatile energy prices and soaring freight rates caused by disruptions in shipping routes and supply chains.
Key stages and industry platforms
ProPak stage: Bringing together industry leaders and innovators to share transformative ideas, new trends, and success stories that are shaping the future of the manufacturing and packaging industries. Future Food Security Factory: Highlighting industrial advancements supporting ASEAN’s food security, with a focus on climate and situational resilience, raw material independence, and modern product development to build sustainable and secure food systems.
From cost competition to quality and technology
Ms. Somsuda Sriwattananont, director of Forefront Foodtech Co., Ltd., discussed the turning point of the Thai food industry today, stating that it is transitioning from “cost-competitive production” to “production based on quality, technology, and sustainability”. Markets and consumers increasingly prioritise food safety, traceability, ESG, and carbon footprints, driven by three catalysts: stricter safety and sustainability standards (encompassing food safety, traceability, ESG, and carbon footprints), labour shortages coupled with rising costs, and technology-driven competition. Therefore, the solution for operators is to elevate production to international standards, utilise smart machinery and automation—which are now necessities rather than options—and invest in technology to transition toward smart factories and data-driven production. Developing and raising standards will enhance the competitive advantage of Thailand, which already possesses strengths in raw materials, flavour and processing expertise, and strong food industry infrastructure; by integrating modern technology, the country can create value-added products and achieve premium positioning in the global market.
Forefront foodtech
As a technology solution partner, Forefront Foodtech has selected high-quality technologies and machinery from leading global manufacturers in processing and packaging, covering food industries such as meat, seafood, ready-to-eat meals, bakery, pet food, and consumer goods; the company also provides technical consulting ranging from production line design and efficiency enhancement to after-sales service from technical teams, spare parts stocking, and assisting SMEs in accessing technologies that fit their budgets. Participating in ProPak Asia is crucial as it serves as a bridge connecting the company with customers across the region; this year’s event will not only feature the debut of the new Frey vacuum stuffer model F190 R A from Germany—suitable for various applications such as producing sausages, fermented pork, Vietnamese pork roll, Chinese sausage, chicken roll, fish tofu, burgers, product forming, and portioning for packaging—but will also mark the special occasion of the company’s 20th anniversary, featuring activities for customers and all booth visitors.
