The third ASEAN Pulp & Paper Summit will take place on December 1–2, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and technology providers to discuss the future of Southeast Asia’s pulp, paper, packaging and recycling industries.

Held under the theme “From Circular Economy to Sustainable Value Creation,” the summit is expected to focus on regional manufacturing expansion, sustainable fiber development, packaging innovation and the role of digital technologies in improving industry competitiveness.

Southeast Asia Continues to Strengthen Its Position in Global Pulp and Paper

As global supply chains continue to evolve, Southeast Asia has become an increasingly important production base for pulp, packaging paper and recycled fiber products.

Industry analysts point to several long-term drivers behind the region’s growing importance, including expanding manufacturing investment, increasing demand for fiber-based packaging and shifts in global recovered paper trade following China’s wastepaper import restrictions.

Countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have attracted significant investment in new pulp and paper capacity, strengthening the region’s role as both a manufacturing hub and an export supplier for international markets.

Against this backdrop, the ASEAN Pulp & Paper Summit has become an important forum for discussing market trends, sustainability strategies and investment opportunities across the regional value chain.

Industry Leaders to Discuss Key Market Challenges

According to the organizers, this year’s summit will examine several strategic topics shaping the future development of the ASEAN pulp and paper sector.

Discussions are expected to include:

• ASEAN’s role as an emerging global manufacturing hub
• Packaging paper supply and demand trends across the region
• Recovered paper collection systems and regulatory developments
• Sustainable packaging and green technology innovation
• Investment, mergers and acquisitions within the regional industry
• Artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing and decarbonization strategies for paper production

These topics reflect many of the issues currently influencing investment decisions throughout the global pulp and paper industry, including digital transformation, circular economy initiatives and carbon reduction.

International Industry Organizations Support the Event

The summit is organized by Shanghai-based Ruizhixin Consulting and receives support from several regional industry associations, including organizations representing the pulp and paper industries in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.

International organizations focused on recycling and resource recovery are also participating, reflecting the increasing integration of fiber recovery, sustainable packaging and circular economy initiatives within the global paper industry.

The event is expected to bring together executives, association representatives, investors, policymakers and sustainability specialists from across the pulp, paper, packaging and recycling sectors.

Summit Attendance Continues to Expand

The inaugural ASEAN Pulp & Paper Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2024, attracting more than 215 delegates from 23 countries, according to the event organizers.

Attendance increased to 334 participants during the second summit in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, highlighting growing international interest in Southeast Asia’s pulp and paper market.

Organizers expect the 2026 edition in Bangkok to welcome more than 350 participants from approximately 30 countries and regions.

Regional Collaboration Supports Industry Transformation

As sustainability regulations, recycled fiber demand and packaging innovation continue to reshape global markets, regional cooperation is becoming increasingly important for pulp and paper producers operating across Southeast Asia.

Industry events such as the ASEAN Pulp & Paper Summit provide opportunities for manufacturers, technology suppliers and policymakers to exchange technical knowledge, evaluate investment trends and explore collaborative approaches to improving production efficiency, circularity and supply chain resilience.

With Southeast Asia continuing to attract investment in paper manufacturing, packaging production and recovered fiber processing, the region is expected to play an increasingly significant role in the future development of the global pulp and paper industry.

Last Updated on 29/06/2026 by Jota Machinery