Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair Takes Center Stage in Growing Industry
Printing and packaging professionals from around the world will converge on the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from April 27 to April 30 for the 11th annual Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair.
The 2016 edition of the fair, hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will feature more than 400 international exhibitors, serving a wide array of printing and packaging markets, showing off the latest technology spanning equipment, consumables, prepress and postpress solutions.
More than 400 exhibitors are expected at the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair 2016.
The Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair 2016 comes at an exciting time for the region. Hong Kong is a rapidly growing global hub for printing and packaging, which exported $2.5 billion of printed matters in 2014.
This annual fair is a testament to this growth, with converters able to grow their business each time they attend.
“We’ve been participating in the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair for 10 years and found it an effective platform to get new buyers and grow business,” Jonathon Chan, sales manager for Advance Label Ltd., said. “We can always secure at least three or four new customers every year to bring in additional revenue. The exhibition results have been encouraging over the decade.”
This year's fair will include multiple zones, covering specific areas of the printing and packaging industries. One of the highlights is the De Luxe Zone, which showcases high-end packaging solutions for luxury goods.
The De Luxe Zone also features the latest materials and finishes for packaging items including jewelry, watches, cosmetics, perfumes, wine, spirits, gourmet food, gifts, fashion and other accessories.
As more technologies become available and the selection of luxury goods grows, packaging companies are seeing a higher demand for special effects. In addition to materials and finishes, the De Luxe Zone will feature state-of-the art special effects, including foils, metallics and other enhancements that can help a product stand out on the shelf.
Surasith Chaipiyawutirux, marketing director of Oriental Aroma, Co., a Thailand-based spa product manufacturer, said he visited the fair for the first time last year. As a packaging buyer, he said he found the fair to be very impressive with its display of high-tech solutions at reasonable prices.
“This is an impressive fair showcasing some interesting technologies for printing and packaging,” he said. “The suppliers are providing flexibility in minimum order quantity with competitive pricing and high quality.”
The Green Printing & Packaging Solutions Zone will highlight sustainable solutions for both markets.
Another major attraction at this year’s fair is the Green Printing & Packaging Solutions Zone. Consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of sustainability in printing and packaging and are starting to actively seek out products and packaging that are environmentally conscious.
Visitors to the Green Printing & Packaging Solutions Zone can explore a full spectrum of recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials, recycled ink and other sustainable developments in printing and packaging.
While recyclability is an essential element of going green, this zone will feature items that carry other sustainable benefits beyond recycling. These include products that assist in the minimization and elimination of pollution and products that improve energy efficiency.
All items exhibited in this zone will feature the appropriate international standards certification.
The Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair will feature networking and social opportunities.
Digital printing equipment will also play a major role at the fair. Short runs are increasing in the packaging segment in both labels and folding cartons. Variability is also increasing in demand and the flexibility of digital printing to handle short runs and alternate between images without plate changes have attributed to its rise in the industry.
Other categories include printing and packaging services, integrated packaging solutions, integrated prepress and trade services, equipment and consumables and packaging materials.
According to Eric T’Scharner, CEO of Belgian Sweet Design, last year’s fair was a great opportunity to expand his specialized packaging business internationally. Belgian Sweet Design is a packaging design firm serving chocolatiers, confectioners and pastry makers, and exhibited at the fair for the first time in 2015.
“We aim to get in touch with international buyers and customers through this fair,” T’Scharner said. “In the first two days of exhibition, we’ve met some potential customers from Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines, India and Europe.”
In addition to the vast displays of everything the printing and packaging industries have to offer, the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair will include several informational activities and networking opportunities. Seminars and forums at this year’s fair will cover the latest technologies, industry trends and the needs of various markets.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will be concurrently hosting the world’s largest gifts and premium fair, the HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The gifts and premium fair will feature a full spectrum of high-end products that are ideal for deluxe packaging. One badge to access two fairs.
Click here to register for the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair 2016 and to find the latest updates leading up to the event.
