Asia CanTech 2019 – Bangkok

 

The 2019 edition of Asia CanTech saw Bell Publishing celebrate a special anniversary. Here is a round-up of the show, which took place from 28-30 October in Bangkok, Thailand.

As usual, one of the highlights of the show was undoubtedly the Candid Forum, which as promised, was an informative session.

This year, Richard Moore, managing director RMRM Consultancy; Sonia Perna Darghouth, marketing director Asia, Sherwin-Williams, and Bob Gary, chief operating officer, Stolle Machinery ensured a vibrant hour was undertaken.

A number of pertinent industry discussions were undertaken, including debating the issues of the can making industry’s CO2 emissions, the issues of sustainability, mental health and the state of the three-piece food can market.

On the show presentation side, 2019’s keynote speaker was Kamoldist Smuthkochorn, managing director of marketing for Carabao Group Public Company. Smuthkochorn began his presentation by outlining the history of Carabao. The energy drink, meaning buffalo, derives from Thai rock star Yuenyong Opakul. He is the vocalist for the band Carabao, who 15 years ago, decided with a close friend to set up an energy drinks company. The company’s slogan is ‘Songs gave them hope, Carabao gives them energy’. The energy drink now outstrips Red Bull in Thailand, and has grown to be a global brand, including sponsoring Chelsea Football Club and Reading Football Club in the UK.

The rapid growth of Carabao was probably the most revealing of his presentation. Founded in 2002, in 18 months they became number two in the market in Asia. In 2004 they were exporting to 15 countries and began canning. The aforementioned sponsorship of Chelsea managed to project the drinks company onto the next level, which has meant the company has now sold 900 million cans internationally in 2019, with a value of $2.7 billion value.

Smuthkochorn was also keen to stress how marketing has been essential in projecting the brand. The sponsorship of the English football league competition, known today as the ‘Carabao Cup’, has been instrumental in broadcasting the brand to 200 territories around the globe; the Carabao Cup final was reportedly broadcast to over two billion people globally.

The company now plans to be the number one drinks brand in Thailand, and the number one in ASEAN by 2022. The five-year plan is to be number one in Asia by 2024; an ambitious but potentially achievable target.

Elsewhere, there was a revealing presentation from SLAC Group’s Richard Moore. Moore presented to delegates, where the formal launch of SLAC Group’s The Boxer Bodymaker was brought to the attention of delegates.

With twice the output of conventional bodymakers, Moore was able to highlight the merits of the machine, ahead of Metpack next year, where attendees will be able to view the machine. Moore also highlighted other advantages of The Boxer, including the ability for less floor space, energy use per can reduced by half, and a low amount of vibration.

Similarly, CarnaudMetalbox Engineering had exciting product news to tell delegates. Its new Reformat Decorator, explained Marc Hoche, sales manager, was ready to be viewed at Crown’s Custines plant in France. With a robust risk assessment undertaken, and a wealth of new features including a ‘safe speed’ capability, this 2,000 cans per minute decorator has understandably excited those at CMB.

Other features of the decorator include improved access to all eight inkers, an integrated wash-up system and rear mounted servo motors. It’s based on the principals of the Reformat brand which means, less tools required for changeovers, easy access, common fittings, light weighted parts, sustainable and efficient operation, smart tablet control, remote monitoring, energy efficiency and quick release points.

The addition of Servo Registration reduces the manpower required and increases registration accuracy. A single operator will now be able to register the plate cylinders from the HMI panel, instead of manually adjusting each one with help of a colleague.

Sun Chemical has collaborated with CGS Publishing Technologies International GmbH, a global leader in colour management, digital proofing and specially formulated media, to provide a metal deco digital proofing solution for two-piece beverage cans.

This digital proofing solution, part of Sun Chemical’s DigiProof service within its SunColorBox colour management toolkit, will enable can makers, designers and brand owners to dispense with physical aluminium wet proofs and to significantly reduce the length of the packaging design process – from weeks to just days.

Trelleborg Printing Solutions introduced and shared the benefits of Trelleborg printing blankets dedicated to metal packaging and discuss how to select the correct solution to maximise productivity and press performance.

Pneumofore introduced its centralised vacuum and compressed air solutions for can lines with the presentation ‘No Air, No Cans’ by president, Daniel Hilfiker. The discussion focused on various topics, including the full PLC monitoring integration in can factories; the Variable Speed operation of vacuum pumps and compressors; the optimised efficiency as result of precise pressure level setting; and the advantages of the low pressure loop.

Hilfiker highlighted the importance in considering the operating costs over 10 years, the extended performance warranties and the environmental impact before purchasing a new vacuum or compressed air system.

Looking ahead to Asia CanTech 2020 Bell Publishing has announced that the dates and location are now confirmed for Asia CanTech 2020. The event will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The hotel location will be announced early in 2020.

For results of the Asia CanTech awards, read here

Visit www.asia-can.com for more. Before then, CanTech The Grand Tour takes place in New Delhi, India, on 17-19 February 2020. For more: cantechthegrandtour.com.