ASEAN Ceramics 2023 reports successful event
December 7, 2023
Messe München has announced the successful conclusion of ASEAN Ceramics 2023, an international trade fair for machinery, technology and materials for the ceramics industry. Co-organised in partnership with the Vietnam Building Ceramic Association (VIBCA) and Vietnam Exhibition and Event Services Co.,ltd (VNEES), the show drew in a global audience of around 3,000 industry professionals and hosted over 200 international companies and brands.
The three-day event was the largest-ever ASEAN Ceramics, with 150% increase in exhibition space compared to the 2022 edition in Bangkok, Thailand. The inclusion of country pavilions from Italy, China, Korea, and Vietnam added to the international diversity.
ASEAN Ceramics featured activities such as pre-event factory tours, buyer-seller programmes, a gala dinner, beer networking function, hosted buyer programme, and a conference programme which featured over thirty conference sessions and panel discussions. These discussions focused on solutions to counteract the latest challenges faced by the industry as well as innovative strategies.
The grand opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh from the Ministry of Construction in Vietnam and Edy Suyanto, Chairman of Asaki – Ceramics Industry Club of ASEAN (CICA); Michael Wilton, CEO and Managing Director of MMI Asia Pte Ltd; and Dinh Quang Huy, Chairman of Vietnam Building Ceramic Association (VIBCA).
A total of 200 business meetings took place, fostering connections between exhibitors and potential buyers. The seminar organised by the Vietnam Building Ceramic Association showcased industry leaders from local ceramic and building associations, offering insights into country projects. Additionally, a pre-event factory tour to Vietnam’s leading ceramic manufacturing factories attracted the participation of more than forty exhibitors, providing a firsthand experience of the industry’s advancements and innovations.
Significantly, the introduction of the Hosted Buyer Program by ASEAN Ceramics marked a successful debut, attracting over 450 buyers from Thailand, Korea, India, and Vietnam. Their active engagement demonstrated the success of the organiser’s efforts to provide a platform for exploring and seizing new opportunities.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Kiln Workshop Manager of Long Hau Porcelain, a hosted buyer at ASEAN Ceramics, shared, “Having attended ASEAN Ceramics for the second time since 2018, I am continually impressed by how the exhibition serves as a gateway to innovations and new technologies. While Vietnam’s ceramic industry has demonstrated growth, it has yet to fully realise its immense potential. Exhibitions like ASEAN Ceramics play a pivotal role in advancing our country’s ceramic sector, providing a platform for enterprises to invest in cutting-edge technologies and shaping a more promising future for the industry.”
Luca Ferraris, president of SACMI Vietnam, added, “We’re pleased, especially with the turnout on the first day, welcoming friends and customers, including directors, shareholders, and CEOs.”
Highlighting the Vietnamese market’s importance within SACMI’s broader ceramic business in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, Ferraris reaffirmed SACMI’s commitment to reinforcing its presence in Vietnam. He also expressed approval of the ASEAN Ceramics Conference, where SACMI presented new products during a session titled SACMI Now and Tomorrow for Ceramics.
Plans are already in progress for the next edition, scheduled to be held on December 11-13, 2024, at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The organisers believe that ASEAN Ceramics 2023 underscores the increasing demand for ceramic machinery, technologies, and materials in the region. The event is said to have set the stage for further advancements in the industry, playing a role in driving innovation, promoting investment, and facilitating knowledge exchange in the ceramic manufacturing sector.
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