The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) will be hosting a week of education about updated sustainable packaging design trends at ProPak Asia.
By Nerida Kelton FAIP, executive director AIP – vice president Sustainability & Save Food – WPO
ProPak Asia 2026 is opening a new chapter as Asia’s Premier Global Exhibition for Processing & Packaging is moving to IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. This is where innovators and decision-makers come together to shape the future of food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and consumer goods manufacturing.
As a long-standing International Education Partner of ProPak Asia, the AIP will be hosting, in partnership with Informa Markets, a week of education designed for anyone interested in learning more about updated sustainable packaging design trends, packaging and waste regulations, new innovations and materials on the horizon for Soft & Flexible packaging and Fibre, Renewable & Compostable, intelligent packaging, and Accessible & Inclusive packaging design.
During ProPak Asia, the AIP will be offering six educational sessions including the eighth edition of the Global Packaging Forum, two mini training courses, three packaging workshops and the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Award showcase of the 2026 round of finalists.
In addition, the AIP will be bringing a delegation of Australia and New Zealand companies to spend the week visiting all the exhibitors at ProPak Asia.
Global Packaging Forum
The eighth annual edition of the Global Packaging Forum will be held on the 10th of June. This packaging conference is held alongside of ProPak Asia each year. Speakers will provide global, regional and local views on a broad range of topics within the realm of packaging.
Topics planned will include updates in global and local packaging and recycling regulations, how the world is shifting to Extended Producers Responsibility (ERP) regulations and initiatives, how packaging design needs to move to a Recycle-Ready model, understanding how country-based regulations will affect design moving forward, the latest trends and innovations in sustainable packaging design, materials advancements, sustainable food systems and best practice examples from across the globe.
Packaging training courses
The AIP will run two mini training courses focused on packaging innovation and sustainability. The first, Unboxing Accessibility: Easy to Open, Reclose, Grip & Handle Packaging Design, explores how to create packaging that is easy to open, close, grip and handle without the need for tools such as knives.
The second course, Future of Soft Plastics & Flexible Packaging, examines the evolving landscape of flexible packaging amid global efforts to reduce plastic waste. It provides an overview of key drivers shaping change both locally and internationally, including food waste, emissions, legislation and on-pack labelling requirements.
Packaging Workshops
The AIP will be offering three interactive packaging workshops that will cover:
- Future of Plastic Packaging (Rigid & Flexible) workshop.
- Future of Fibre, Paper, Renewable & Compostable Packaging workshop.
- Future Trends & Innovations in Intelligent Packaging workshop.
Each workshop will include a panel discussion with speakers from across the region. The second part will be an interactive workshop where the attendees will be able to see, touch and feel the innovations, packs and materials while learning more about how to use them within a business.
All attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance to all the AIP programs and attain points towards the Certified Packaging professional (CPP) designation. All of industry is invited to attend.
