Rubber & plastic processing exhibition opens in Ho Chi Minh city

HCM CITY — Technological advances in food, drink and pharmaceutical processing and packaging made by leading global brands are on show at the 2016 Propak Vietnam which opened yesterday in HCM City.

Processing-packaging and plastics-rubber exhibitions open in HCM City on 2 March.

Germany, the world leader in processing and packaging equipment and technologies, has 16 companies at the German pavilion besides 25 independent exhibitors specialising in material handling systems; machinery for food and meat processing, bakeries, and packaging; automation and printing technologies; and components and other auxiliary equipment.

Many machines and solutions have been handpicked for the Viet Nam market, a release from the Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd and VCCI, the organisers, said.

Vera Fritsche, VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery, Frankfurt, the host of the German pavilion, said her country was one of the most important partners in the food processing and packaging machinery industries in 2014, just behind China.

"Germany is a strong partner when it comes to plastics and rubber machinery – it is one of the top five supplying countries."

John Tang, director of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council's representative office in HCM City and the host of the Taiwan pavilion, said, "Many buyers from the packaging industry have flocked to HCM City to source high-quality processing and packaging equipment as well as turnkey services and solutions for the food and pharmaceutical market.

"Twenty two Taiwanese exhibitors are taking part in the event."

There are 292 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions, including international group pavilions from Italy, Germany, mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore, making this year's event the biggest ever.

The 2016 Propak Vietnam has seen 9 per cent exhibitor growth, according to BT Tee, deputy chief, Vietnam representative office, Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd, said.

"The impressive growth is a reflection of the increasing demands placed on product packaging needs driven by both exports and domestic consumption.

"We see many recent press announcements on supermarkets and malls being built. They are key drivers for packaging technology growth in Viet Nam and we foresee a positive future for those serving the industry."

The expo at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre will go on until tomorrow.

Plastics and rubber

The sixth Plastics and Rubber Vietnam, which runs simultaneously, has attracted six group pavilions from Austria, Italy, Germany, China, Singapore and the UK and individual exhibitors from 20 countries and territories.

Italy and Germany are the world leaders in machinery and technologies for the plastics and rubber sectors.

Germany was one of five largest plastics and rubber machinery exporters to Viet Nam in 2014 with exports of 473 million euros (US$514 million).

Propak Vietnam and Plastics & Rubber Vietnam are the most important platforms for German companies to acquaint Vietnamese companies with their products and solutions, Fritsche said.

Stephen Hunt, membership director of the British Plastics Federation, said this is the second time his federation has led a group of exhibitors from the UK.

"British exhibitors at the show this year range from machinery manufacturers and materials suppliers to a recycling company, and of course the BPF itself will represent over 500 members covering all sectors of the industry."

Khoa Le

Source: VietnamNews.vn