Pack Print International 2015, the 5th international packaging and printing exhibition for Asia, will again offer the regional packaging and printing market and sourcing and buying platform from Aug. 26-29, 2015, at BITEC in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf Asia, The Thai Packaging Association and The Thai Printing Association, Pack Print International 2015 is driven by the world’s leading trade shows for the sectors, drupa and interpack. Participants will experience a multifaceted showcase, including the latest machinery and technology for the entire packaging and printing supply chain, live product demonstrations, seminars, forums, workshops and a host of networking opportunities to match the current trends and demands of the dynamic Southeast Asian markets.

Following the show’s successful staging in 2013 with 202 exhibitors and 16,833 visitors, the organizers expect an increase in exhibitor participation this year, spanning the nearly 161,500 square feet of exhibit space.

Exhibitors presenting their expertise at the upcoming show will include Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific, Fuji Xerox, Ferrostaal, Riso, Rotometrics, Vt Graphic, Heidelberg Graphics, Koenig & Bauer Group and Dubuit Far East.

Robust growth opportunities are expected for the packaging and printing industries in Southeast Asia in 2015, particularly for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will transform Southeast Asia into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor and freer flow of capital.

“With the launch of AEC this year, businesses within the region can look towards further growth prospects,” said Gernot Ringling, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia. “Pack Print International 2015, a trade fair for the industry by the industry, thus provides a timely, converging platform for industry players to meet and take advantage of the rising business opportunities and needs. Its value-for-demand staging and strong drawing power of the who’s who of the industry from all over the world to engage, network and drive sales growth is the winning formula behind every successful edition of Pack Print International.

The worldwide market outlook for both the packaging and printing industries is positive as well. According to the Future of Global Printing to 2018 report, the worldwide printing industry is expected to reach $980 billion by 2018, with growth driven mainly by packaging and labels. Another trend observed is the shift in print technology used — in 2008, digital printing accounted for just 18.5% of the offset market in value terms, but by 2018, it is forecasted that digital printing will make up almost 50% of the global offset sector. The global packaging market is projected to reach $975 billion by 2018, with sales of packaging largely concentrated in Asia. By 2018, segmentation of the market is expected to change and Asia is predicted to represent over 40% of the worldwide demand for packaging.

In line with these projections, Chaivudhi Pungthong, president of The Thai Packaging Association, remarked: “Exports of packaging materials, primarily film, plastic and printed materials, could hit 100 billion baht with the implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) this year. Despite political challenges, the packaging industry will continue to grow because the industry is tied to the production of consumer goods, which have increased substantially due to higher disposable income and affluence amongst the Thai population.”