Food industry innovation focus of Bangkok congress

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Dr. Konstantin Schamber delivers a speech at the 5th Asian-European Business Innovation Congress (AEBIC) in Bangkok held on November 14-15, 2017. [Photo courtesy of TMA Bangkok]


The 5th Asian-European Business Innovation Congress (AEBIC) took place in Bangkok on November 14-15, 2017 at the luxury Athenee Hotel and at the Thailand's Food Innopolis Technopark. Delegates from various countries took part in activities dedicated to the main theme: FOOD INNOPOLIS - Innovation in the Food Industry.

The main objective of the AEBIC Bangkok 2017 was to explore new market trends, products, services, and technological innovation in the ASEAN food industry. Participants had a good opportunity to discuss important issues such as food safety, process optimization, and industry 4.0. 

Dr. Konstantin Schamber, chairman of the Asian-European Business Innovation Congress Council and managing director of the Center for Strategic Intercultural Communication GmbH, said: "For the first time the Asian-European Business Innovation Congress took place in Thailand and we are honored to start our cooperation with the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) Thailand supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Thailand. With such respected players as the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation ASEAN, Siemens Thailand, the Thailand Management Association, we are glad to establish business relationships within this very dynamic region."

The plenary session on Day 1 was opened by Dr. Kitipong Promwong, secretary general of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI), who illustrated Thai government's role in supporting innovation for sustainability. He emphasized government efforts in moving Thailand towards an innovation-based economy, bringing to light the government's long-term technology policy involving technology localization, industrial diversification and the overall deepening of industry technology, as well as regulatory policies involving tax exemptions for targeted industries and for R&D and innovation expenditures, the establishment of economic zones of innovation, and the drafting of national startup promotion programs and supporting laws.

The second session was devoted to the digitalization process in food and beverage manufacturing presented by Mr. Alexander Samuel Grimm, head of Vertical Food & Beverage ASEAN, Digital Factory Division Siemens, Singapore. He introduced the concept of a holistic approach in food and beverage production digitalization, stressing the key role of communication and connectivity between and among different players, lines and disciplines throughout the entire value chain. He declared: "For Siemens, the Food & Beverage industry in Thailand shows big potential, with the Thailand 4.0 initiative creating an innovative environment for the development towards digitalization. The AEBIC has been a very good platform to get in touch with Thailand food associations as well as food & beverage producers to discuss the current status and the future needs like standardization as a first step."

The session on novel food was facilitated by Mr. Smith Taweelerdniti, managing diretor of Nithi Foods, who discussed the global trends for novel foods, and Mr. Matthew Godfrey, chief executive officer, Nutrition Innovation, Singapore who discussed open innovation in this sector. Mr. Taweelerdniti pointed out that the global trends for novel food introduces an economy of speed in the food industry, wherein time to market is critical, and consequently gives rise to the necessity of outsourcing science; while Mr. Godfrey stressed that for innovation to be successful it must be collaborative.

The food safety and standard session was led by Ms. Cyndy Au, regional director for Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Asia Pacific, Dupont Nutrition and Health, who emphasized the need for bringing to consumers the message that they have a right to expect all the food they purchase and consume is safe and of high quality. Dr. Rutjawate Taharnklaew, DVM, vice president, Research and Development Center, Betagro Group followed, stressing that what we choose to eat "is a big deal".

The session on supply chain and service innovation in the food sector started with the presentation on international collaboration opportunities in food innovation at Fraunhofer Food Chain Management Alliance by Mr. Ralf Opierzynski, head of Fraunhofer IFF ASEAN Regional Office Thailand. A discussion by Mr. Motoyuki Hazu, executive officer, general manager, Overseas Business Development Division, Nichirei Logistics Group Inc. Thailand on innovative solutions in logistics through the use of transfer centers followed. Mr. Opierzynski said: "The Fraunhofer Food Chain Management Alliance Germany has been conducting projects in the field of food innovation in collaboration with Food Innopolis/STI Thailand since 2016. The AEBIC event offers an excellent platform to foster existing, but also initiate new partnerships with representatives from the government, academia and the private sector from Thailand and the rest of the ASEAN region. The variety of topics presented, such as novel food, food standards, logistics, digitalization and industry 4.0, the feedback and fruitful discussions with some of the more than 140 participants and the strong commitment by Thai stakeholders are promising indicators and encourage us to intensify and extend our mutual collaborations in food innovation in Thailand".

The plenary sessions were rounded off by a discussion of Thailand's Food Industry 4.0 policy by a panel of experts comprising Dr. Akkharawit Kanjana-opas, deputy secretary general, National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI), and chief executive officer of Food Innopolis, Thailand; Mr. Alexander Samuel Grimm; Mr. Anan Chaikitwattana, department manager of Ingredient Business, Tipco Biotech; and Dr. Magnus Bergkvist, Open Innovation Lead, Global Innovation Incubator, Thai Union Group. 

The discussion, moderated by STI's Dr. Porramate Chumyin, raised several points on the impact and future of Thailand's food industry, including government effort to build an open innovation ecosystem and infrastructure to assist the food industry in undertaking research and responding to global food requirements. The panel stressed the food and beverage industry was changing, and global food requirements were becoming increasingly individual. Therefore, both technology-based flexibility to create new business models and international networks for collaboration are important for companies in order for them to adapt to change. In addition, the panel agreed that education is key in creating a more innovative mindset.

On Day 2, delegates visited the Food Innopolis at the Thailand Science Park and were introduced to its service platforms, such as joint R&D or contract research, raw materials or ingredients sourcing, experts database, one-stop approach for related government transactions, as well as its infrastructure for leasing of equipment, pilot plants and laboratories.

AEBIC Bangkok is organized by the Center for strategic intercultural communication GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation ASEAN Regional Office Thailand. Co-organizers are the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Thailand, the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) Thailand, the Thailand Management Association, The Food Innopolis Technopark, and the Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises - MITTELSTAND INTERNATIONAL. The main industry sponsor was Siemens Thailand.

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