by Hanim Zulaikha Zulkifli

ProPak Asia 2025 returned to BITEC, Bangkok from 11–14 June 2025, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and businesses under a shared vision: to build a dynamic platform where the future of processing and packaging could thrive through innovation, sustainability, and cross-border collaboration.

Kotchasorn Tocharoentanapol, Deputy Event Director at Informa Markets Thailand, said her role was to seek out new opportunities and carry forward ProPak’s mission to build a global stage for knowledge sharing, commercial engagement, and amplifying packaging’s role as a driver of sustainable growth.

“ProPak Asia will be a place where real change happens, where businesses, innovators, and governments come together to share ideas, build partnerships, and shape the future of packaging and processing in Asia,” she said.

The theme for ProPak Asia 2025 went beyond reducing carbon emissions. It called for an ecosystem-wide shift, urging manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators to rethink how products were designed, produced, packaged, and delivered, collaboratively rather than in isolation. Kotchasorn explained that for Southeast Asian manufacturers, this transformation meant adopting greener materials, investing in cleaner machinery, and leveraging smart technologies such as sensors and automation to save energy and reduce waste. It also involved building better recycling systems, adhering to evolving green regulations, and upskilling workers to meet future demands.

Translating sustainability ambitions into actionable steps was a key goal of the event. Through the theme Carbon-Neutral Pathways to a Sustainable Processing and Packaging Ecosystem, ProPak Asia focused on strategies that reduced or offset emissions across the entire value chain, promoting environmentally friendly materials, circular economy practices, and industry-wide carbon reduction partnerships.

Kotchasorn noted that one of the biggest misconceptions about going carbon-neutral was that it was prohibitively expensive or only feasible for large corporations. “In reality, incremental changes, from energy efficiency to smarter material choices, could yield immediate savings and build long-term resilience for businesses of all sizes,” she pointed out.

As Malaysia committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Kotchasorn saw ProPak Asia playing an important role in nudging Malaysian industries towards that goal. The event provided a platform for Malaysian businesses to explore real, scalable solutions such as energy-efficient machinery, eco-friendly packaging, and smart factory systems. By connecting with global experts, suppliers, and policymakers, Malaysian participants could accelerate their sustainability journey, she said. “ProPak Asia helps turn net-zero goals into real action, starting now.”

Balancing the showcasing of bold, futuristic technologies while keeping the event relevant to traditional and cost-sensitive manufacturers was also crucial. ProPak Asia ensured that businesses at different stages of readiness found value, whether through cutting-edge automation or practical, low-cost energy-saving solutions. “It’s about meeting industries where they are, while showing them what’s possible in the future,” Kotchasorn said.

Cross-border collaboration was a hallmark of ProPak Asia. Kotchasorn recalled a moment when a Thai packaging firm connected with a Malaysian food processing company during an innovation tour, leading to a joint R&D project on biodegradable packaging. “It was a true testament to ProPak’s role as a bridge between businesses across Asia,” she shared.

Driving a sustainability-first agenda was not without challenges. Some exhibitors and visitors still viewed ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives as an added cost. However, ProPak Asia focused on showcasing tangible business wins, from cost savings to stronger brand reputation, to help shift that perception.

The organisers were equally committed to ensuring the event itself aligned with its sustainability values. ProPak Asia had implemented digital ticketing, eco-friendly booth standards, and waste reduction initiatives. The event venue prioritised energy efficiency, and carbon offsetting measures were being explored to further minimise environmental impact. “We are making sustainability a key part of the event, showing that it’s possible to integrate green practices into every aspect of ProPak Asia,” Kotchasorn said.

Looking to the future, Kotchasorn believed that future-proofing required business leaders to be agile, embrace continuous learning, and embed sustainability, technology adoption, and collaboration into their core strategies. ProPak Asia curated content and solutions catering to participants at different stages of maturity, ensuring that everyone, from those just starting on their sustainability journey to those implementing advanced automation, could find a pathway forward.

As Deputy Event Director, Kotchasorn stayed ahead by staying close to industry trends, engaging with innovators, and listening actively to stakeholders. She and her team curated each edition of ProPak Asia with a mindset of blending proven solutions with emerging possibilities.

For Malaysian visitors attending ProPak Asia 2025, Kotchasorn hoped they will feel inspired, empowered, and equipped with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and a clear sense that sustainable innovation was both achievable and commercially rewarding.

“We wanted visitors to recognise that sustainability and business growth go hand-in-hand. ProPak Asia is a place where commercial opportunity meets industry responsibility.” said Kotchasorn.

Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, Kotchasorn envisioned ProPak Asia evolving into a year-round catalyst for innovation, knowledge sharing, and cross-industry collaboration, helping to drive sustainable growth and transformation across Asia and beyond.

While green technologies often dominated headlines, Kotchasorn also highlighted that attention to be paid to emerging trends such as smart packaging, AI-driven production optimisation, alternative proteins, and localised supply chain solutions like innovations that were quietly reshaping the future of the industry.

Those interested in attending ProPak Asia 2025 can pre-register at https://ppka.imasia-passport.com/ or contact Ms. June Chutimas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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