ProPak Asia 2009, held in Bangkok last week attracted around 785 exhibitors from 39 countries and drew around 30,000 trade professional visitors, according to organisers.

One of the most significant product developments in recent years was the RISO HC5000 that was introduced in Japan in late 2003 but which first really came to public attention at drupa 2004.

Digital Press manufacturer MGI Digital Graphic Technology is set to launch the Meteor DP20 4-in-1 digital photo press for Asia Pacific market at imaging technology exhibition PMA 2009, being held in Sydney during June.

Despite the current global economic gloom KBA is recording an increase in new orders for sheetfed presses,the news brightening KBA shareholders attending their recent annual general meeting.

Visitor attendance to last week's Auspack was down nine per cent in comparison to the previous Sydney event in 2005. However the Australian Packaging Machinery Association (APMA) and organisers have dubbed Auspack 09 a success given the turbulent financial climate.

Shanghai Electric is set to become the second largest shareholder of Goss International by acquiring newly issued shares of the printing equipment supplier’s international preferred stock. The transaction is currently under governmental review for final approval and is subject to other customary conditions to closing.

Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and Sinarmas Forestry’s (SMF) proposed Biosphere Reserve (GSK-BB) in Riau, Indonesia, has received official approval by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere project.

Auspack opened to eager industry representatives this week with organisers saying many visitors have already found solutions or discovered new ideas on how to improve their manufacturing processes.

One of the largest media groups in southern China – the Hunan Daily Group – is set to install a new Goss Magnum 8 press at its new printing plant. The company confirmed the order for the 12-unit press at China Print.

With the doors to Auspack set to open tomorrow the event seems to be staving off the ill effects of the economic climate with pre-registered visitors and exhibitor numbers on par with the last Sydney event in 2005.