By: Ray G. Talimio Jr.
“Unboxing Tomorrow at ProPak Asia 2025”
Held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Day 2 of the 2025 Global Packaging Forum at ProPak Asia was a compelling showcase of the industry’s momentum toward sustainability, technological adaptability, and global collaboration. With concurrent sessions covering topics from AI in supply chains to food innovation and packaging logistics, the day proved to be both dynamic and future focused.
One of the most anticipated sessions was the presentation by Varna Sudasna, President of the Thai Package Design Association. Under the theme “Navigating Sustainable Packaging Design,” she emphasized the urgency of transforming packaging systems to meet sustainability goals while maintaining structural integrity, cost efficiency, and consumer appeal. Her visuals laid out not just the challenges but also the critical balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility.
Sudasna stressed that the industry must not only rethink material usage but also optimize designs, reduce waste, and comply with evolving global and local regulations. Slides illustrated practical strategies such as using corrugated paper boxes instead of wooden packaging, adopting smart modular design, and closing the loop with reusable and recyclable materials. Her insights resonated deeply, especially as she concluded with a call for cross sectoral collaboration to drive sustainable packaging innovation across Asia.
The AIP Sustainable Packaging Training held at AMBER 1 further reinforced this trajectory. Experts from the Australasian Institute of Packaging tackled design guidelines and the integration of environmental standards into production workflows. Simultaneously, the “Design for EPR” or Extended Producer Responsibility forum engaged stakeholders on regulatory alignment, emphasizing compliance with circular economy principles.
Beyond the conference halls, the exhibition floor buzzed with technologies ranging from IoT enabled sensors for logistics tracking to compact diagnostic swabs for food safety. Notable among the exhibitors were JW Tech and Mega Science Co. Ltd., which featured advanced solutions for automation and contamination detection. Interactive displays and detailed demos sparked meaningful conversations between manufacturers, technology providers, and visiting delegates like us.
The diversity of Day 2 activities also included sessions on hygienic design, smart nutrition, and consumer perspectives on packaging. Whether it was exploring paper reels as sustainable alternatives or integrating AI into industrial automation, the unifying message was clear. Tomorrow’s packaging is no longer just about containment and branding. It is about stewardship, compliance, and competitive advantage through sustainable design.
ProPak Asia 2025 stands out not just for its size but for its depth. It captures how packaging has evolved into a nexus of innovation, regulation, and responsibility. Day 2 brought this into sharp focus with Thai and international leaders charting the way forward.
As Ms. Sudasna aptly put it, “The future belongs to suppliers who revolutionize packaging while protecting our environment.” That future was clearly on display today.
About the author
Ray G. Talimio Jr. is a Past President and Past Chairman of the Board of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber). He currently serves as Co Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council Region X, Chairman of the MSME Development Council of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, and Chairman of BIMP EAGA for Northern Mindanao. He is also a current officer of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and served as Past Senior Regional Director and Past Chapter President. He is a staunch advocate for MSME development, regional economic integration, good governance, and public private partnerships.
