Formed in Tokyo in 1967, the Asian Packaging Federation (APF) is the umbrella body for cooperation between the national packaging associations, institutes or councils in 14 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The November Asian Packaging Summit will see delegations from each of these countries attending to discuss the regional challenges of sustainability and appropriate packaging technology - the main topic of discussion at the Asian Packaging Summit.

“Based on the delegate profile in previous years, the delegates will be at the top of the packaging industry in their respective countries” said Albert Lim, President of both the APF and this year’s APF Congress host, the Singapore Packaging Council “Each will be at least at the level of President, CEO or MD, and represent the leading packaging companies in Asia.

“Not only does the Summit address the needs and concerns of the packaging industry across Asia, but it is intended to provide a regional platform for networking at the very top level of our industry” said Lim.

“As a result we are extending an invitation to the global packaging industry to come to Singapore in November to meet our industry leaders and hear the practicalities of the markets in 14 different Asian countries for yourselves, first hand.”

Asia is the largest package production region in the world, both by value and volume, according to recent data from PackWebasia.com.

In 2006, the Global Packaging industry had an estimated production output value of US$513.02 billion. As the largest packaging producing region, Asia represented more than 30.51 per cent of the total industry production output value more than US$156.54 billion.

Packaging: Sustaining the Asian Environment

The November Summit will focus on the three core regional issues:

Business Environment:

Day One of the Summit will focus on the rapidly emerging packaging markets of: China, India, Thailand, Russia and VietNam, which are experiencing annual packaging growth of between 10-14 percent.

“Our delegates will benefit from an insider’s knowledge of the practical issues facing the packaging industry in each of these countries” adds Lim “Each of the APF member associations will present a frank and detailed report on the state of the industry in their country, followed by presentations from international companies who have successful operations in these countries on the practicalities and challenges.”

Sustainable Technology:

Asian Packaging Federation members represent the most diverse packaging technologies in the world, and Day Two of the Summit focuses on appropriate strategies to the environmental issues facing the industry..

Responding to the twin challenges facing the industry: balancing the 3-Ps of packaging functionality (to Protect, Preserve and Promote the product) with the 3-Rs of sustainability (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), the Summit will focus on applications which present the most appropriate solutions.

“When more than 38 per cent of all food in Asia is spoiled in the supply chain between farmer and consumer; packaging plays a vital role in the most populace region in the world” continues Lim “With Corporate Social Responsibility as the core, we will explore topics ranging from palm fibre trays and clamshells replacing EPS food trays, innovations in jute fibre as a packaging material to practical applications of bio-plastics, Modified Atmosphere Packaging and nanotechnology. We will be presenting a range innovative alternative options which the packaging industry in Asia can explore, whether it is Japan or Bangladesh”.

Sustainability in Packaging:

“Since our members represent the world’s largest packaging region, much of which is export oriented, it is important for our members to be in compliance with International Environmental regulations” said Lim “So it is appropriate that we are addressing this topic.

“Fortunately the recent product recalls were not packaging related, but of the 14 member countries which will be represented at the APF, only two have environmental sustainability platforms in place: Australia and Japan.”

Delegates at the Asian Packaging Summit will hear how the Packaging Council of Australia and Japan Packaging Institute were active participants in their own very different national environmental response” said Lim.

Brand Owner Compliance:   “Almost more than Governments, Brand Owners and International Retailers are emerging as drivers of Packaging Sustainability, where non-compliance with their policies is not optional, if you want their business” added Lim.

“Since all of the key players have major sourcing operations in Asia, and to get our industry ‘on-message’ the APF is extending a platform to them so we can directly hear the voice of the customer”.

Additional Events

The Asian Packaging Summit will also see a series of scheduled business and social side meetings: The APF Annual General Meeting, The Judging of the ‘Packaging Oscars of Asia’, AsiaStar Awards, Networking Working Lunches and Cocktail Evenings culminating in the AsiaStar Gala Awards Presentation Dinner on the final evening.

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