Plastic & packaging exhibition reflects post-recession optimism

Renewed confidence in the South east Asian's printing, packaging and plastics/rubber sectors was highlighted at TIPREX 2009 (Thai International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition) held on 23 - 26 September 2009. Held concurrently with Pack Print International (PPI) 2009, strong attendance from major industry players and professionals reflected the recovery of these sectors which were adversely impacted by the worldwide recession. True enough, trade visitors were able to see the latest solutions that will mark the new post-recession paradigm. TIPREX hosted about 200 exhibitors from 20 countries and attracted over 10,000 buyers. It welcomed national pavilions and groups from Austria, China, India, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The show is of key importance to Thailand's processor sector given the country's aim of becoming a leading player for highend plastics in Asia. Plastics processors view advanced technologies as paramount for them to be able to compete successfully in the global marketplace and they are increasingly being called on by end user industries to furnish global standard solutions that enable Thailand to compete on the global stage. Thailand is already considered to be a gateway for product distribution, a major exporter of print and packaging products, and possessing the most growth potential in the region. Need for high-end plastics products stressed The Thai government will continue to drive the economy forward by speeding up its spending to ensure that the economic targets are met and this will encourage higher consumer confidence. Thailand's 1.43 trillion-baht 揝trong Thailand?three-year investment program will serve as a major economic stimulus initiative, creating up to 2 million jobs and plans are already on the way to upgrade Thailand's economic and social infrastructure by 2012. The government emphasized the country's modern industrial estates and impressive industrial clusters, together with state-of-the-art transportation and global network communication facilities and logistics system as well as other infrastructure which are developed to world-class standards are strengthened further to accommodate future growth and expansion in the different sectors of the economy. All these incentives are expected to boost production of high-end plastics, printing and packaging products. The plastics industry remains as one of the five core industries of Thailand. This industry represents about 5.8% of Thailand GDP and is projected to grow by about 7% annually for the next few years. It is envisaged that the plastic industry's value would exceed $14 billion by 2012. The printing and packaging industries are also on the rise and Thailand aims to become the number one exporter of Southeast Asia, with at least 25% growth to $ 3.47 billion this year. These sectors are expected to acquire much needed push from the processed food industry, which has enjoyed average growth of 11% for the past 6 years that exports are projected to reach $16.7 billion by 2012 ?to make Thailand one of the three largest exporters of processed food in the world. Launching pad for exhibitors Early this year, Zeppelin Silos & Systems GmbH acquired Reimelt Henschel and with the integration of Reimelt Henschel into the Zeppel in network emerges an internationally powerful and technologically leading systems and components supplier beyond the boundaries of the different industries and bulk solids. Both companies are leading vendors in the handling of bulk solids. Zeppelin's focus lies on the plastics producer and rubber industries, while Reimelt Henschel is concentrating on the food, pharmaceutical and plastics processing industries. "A common presence in markets and mutual support in the handling of projects will strengthen the companies?common position and business processes will becomeAir Jordan XIII High