WEPSEA 2026 to Explore AI, Sustainability, and Industry Growth Through Over 20 Conferences and Business Networking Forums

Southeast Asia continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing manufacturing hubs and consumer markets. In line with this, the packaging industry is undergoing rapid change driven by digitalisation, sustainability concerns, and supply chain diversification. Responding to these developments, the World Expo of Packaging Industry Southeast Asia (WEPSEA) 2026 will be held from 27–29 August 2026 at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo). The event is organised by RX (China) in collaboration with the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). WEPSEA 2026 will bring together players from across the packaging value chain, including corrugated packaging, folding cartons, digital printing, specialty paper, food packaging, converting technology, and various packaging application solutions. Beyond being a showcase for innovation, WEPSEA 2026 will also host more than 20 conferences, workshops, and business networking forums offering market insights, technical analysis, and collaboration opportunities for industry players in Southeast Asia. The event series will open with the Southeast Asia Packaging Industry Conference 2026, a main forum bringing together industry association leaders, market research institutions, and leading companies from various countries in the region. This forum will review strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of the paper and packaging industry amidst growing sustainability concerns. Participants will also discuss new growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, regional supply chain developments, and investment prospects that can serve as a reference for companies looking to expand their business in the rapidly growing packaging market. Other sessions will address current issues, such as the use of digital printing technology for short-run production and packaging innovations born from the application of ESG principles in the food and beverage industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are now key factors driving transformation in the packaging industry. Therefore, WEPSEA 2026 has made these technologies a central focus of its conference series. The Next-Generation Smart Packaging Solutions Forum, taking place on 28 August, will discuss how AI-based automation improves productivity at various stages of the printing and packaging production process. Industry experts will present applications ranging from intelligent automation in the prepress stage to workflow optimisation and automated imposition technology. These digital solutions can help companies increase operational efficiency while reducing production costs. The forum will also feature a special session led by Indonesian experts on halal packaging labels, providing international companies with an understanding of certification requirements and brand development opportunities in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest halal product markets. Complementing the technical discussions, the Printerpreneur Talk Show will bring together industry players to share experiences in optimising production costs. Strategies to be discussed include the use of lighter packaging materials, such as corrugated paper and honeycomb paper, as well as the implementation of print-on-demand production models. Amid rising raw material prices, uncertain geopolitical conditions, and changing customer needs, innovation is a critical factor for companies to maintain competitiveness. Through an afternoon forum titled ‘Navigating Challenges and Innovations in the Packaging Industry’, participants will discuss strategies for packaging companies to adapt to market dynamics by implementing more flexible manufacturing systems, using innovative materials, and adopting sustainable business practices. The forum will also cover important issues, from the shift towards short-run production methods and the use of innovative packaging materials to the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and strategies for building more resilient supply chains. These discussion agendas are expected to equip companies to drive sustainable business growth. In addition to conference sessions, WEPSEA 2026 will also hold interactive workshops addressing the top 10 challenges in the packaging printing process for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products. This workshop is designed as a practice-based learning session, reviewing real-world cases commonly encountered on production lines, from the artwork preparation stage through the printing process to post-press finishing. Participants will also take part in an interactive session titled ‘Packaging Detective’ to learn how to identify potential problems at the prepress stage, check print registration accuracy, evaluate die-cutting process quality, and improve quality control in the production area. This session offers direct benefits for production managers, production quality specialists, and other packaging industry professionals seeking to improve manufacturing process efficiency and quality. Beyond being a knowledge-sharing platform, WEPSEA 2026 is also designed to connect industry players and open up new cooperation opportunities. On 29 August, the organisers will hold a Business Networking Cocktail Reception, an exclusive session to expand business networks.