SHANGHAI, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Southeast Asia continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing manufacturing and consumer markets, the packaging industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digitalisation, sustainability and supply chain diversification. Against this backdrop, WEPSEA 2026 (World Expo of Packaging Industry Southeast Asia), organised by RX (China) in strategic cooperation with the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), will take place from 27–29 August 2026 at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo), Indonesia.

Bringing together the complete packaging value chain, WEPSEA 2026 will showcase the latest innovations in corrugated packaging, folding cartons, digital printing, specialty paper, food packaging, converting technologies and packaging applications. More importantly, the event will feature 20+ conferences, workshops and networking activities, providing industry professionals with valuable market intelligence, technical insights and business development opportunities across Southeast Asia.

Opening Conference to Explore Southeast Asia’s Packaging Future

The exhibition will officially open with the Southeast Asia Packaging Industry Conference 2026, the flagship forum bringing together leaders from industry associations, market research organisations and leading enterprises across the region.

The conference will examine how paper and packaging companies can strengthen competitiveness amid growing sustainability requirements while identifying new growth opportunities across Southeast Asia. Discussions will also explore regional collaboration, evolving supply chain dynamics and investment prospects, offering strategic guidance for businesses seeking to expand in one of the world’s most promising packaging markets.

Additional sessions will focus on emerging industry trends, including digital printing for short-run production and packaging innovation driven by ESG initiatives in the food and beverage sector.

AI and Smart Manufacturing Take Centre Stage

Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping packaging manufacturing, and WEPSEA 2026 will place these technologies at the heart of its conference programme.

The Next-Generation Smart Packaging Solutions Forum, taking place on 28 August, will showcase how AI-powered automation is improving productivity throughout the printing and packaging workflow.

Industry experts will present practical applications covering intelligent prepress automation, workflow optimisation and automated imposition technologies, demonstrating how digital solutions can improve operational efficiency while reducing production costs.

The forum will also feature a dedicated session led by Indonesian experts on Halal packaging labelling, helping international companies better understand certification requirements and branding opportunities in one of the world’s largest halal consumer markets.

Complementing the technical programme, the Printerpreneur Talk Show will bring together experienced business leaders to discuss practical cost-optimisation strategies through lightweight packaging materials—including corrugated and honeycomb paper—as well as print-on-demand production models.

Addressing Industry Challenges Through Innovation

As manufacturers face increasing pressure from rising raw material costs, geopolitical uncertainty and changing customer expectations, innovation has become essential for maintaining competitiveness.

The afternoon forum, “Navigating Challenges and Innovations in the Packaging Industry,” will explore how packaging companies can adapt to evolving market conditions through flexible manufacturing, advanced materials and sustainable business practices.

Experts will discuss the transition towards short-run production, innovative packaging materials, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and strategies for building resilient supply chains, providing valuable insights for companies pursuing long-term growth.

Hands-on Workshop Delivers Practical Packaging Expertise

Beyond keynote presentations, WEPSEA 2026 will offer an interactive workshop dedicated to solving the Top Ten Printing Challenges in FMCG Packaging.

Designed as a practical learning experience, the workshop will analyse real production cases covering common printing defects from artwork preparation through post-press finishing.

Participants will also join immersive “Packaging Detective” exercises, learning how to identify hidden prepress risks, inspect print registration, evaluate die-cutting quality and improve on-site quality control. The workshop is expected to deliver immediate value for production managers, quality engineers and packaging professionals seeking to enhance manufacturing performance.

Business Networking Beyond the Exhibition Floor

Creating meaningful business connections remains one of the defining features of WEPSEA 2026.

On 29 August, the exhibition will host an exclusive Business Networking Cocktail Reception, bringing together exhibitors, buyers, technology providers, converters, brand owners and industry associations in a relaxed setting designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and business matching.

Additional networking activities, including the PACT Alliance Indonesia Golf Invitational, will provide senior executives with further opportunities to strengthen industry relationships and explore new partnerships beyond the exhibition halls.

To enhance the overall visitor experience, organisers will also provide digital visitor tools, VIP hospitality services and comprehensive on-site support, enabling attendees to maximise both learning and business outcomes throughout the three-day event.

A Gateway to Southeast Asia’s Expanding Packaging Market

Southeast Asia continues to attract global investment in manufacturing, consumer goods, logistics and industrial production, creating strong demand for advanced packaging technologies and innovative solutions.

Positioned at the centre of this rapidly growing market, WEPSEA 2026 offers international suppliers, converters, packaging manufacturers, brand owners and buyers a unique opportunity to connect with the region’s expanding packaging ecosystem, discover cutting-edge technologies and establish long-term business partnerships.

From strategic market intelligence and technology sharing to hands-on workshops and high-value networking, WEPSEA 2026 is set to become one of Southeast Asia’s most influential gatherings for the global packaging industry, empowering businesses to unlock new opportunities and accelerate growth across the ASEAN market.

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SOURCE RX (China)

SOHAG, Egypt, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Science and Technology Daily‌:

On Karaman Island in Sohag, southern Egypt, rows of photovoltaic (PV) panels cover the roofs of the PV R&D base of Egypt’s Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT). The PV modules absorb sunlight, converting it into green electricity.

This is the work of the China-Egypt Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Renewable Energy. Speaking of the major achievements made by the joint lab so far, Mohamed Zahran, a professor at the ASRT, listed several “firsts.”

In October 2023, Egypt produced its first locally made half-cut solar cell. One month later, Egypt fabricated its first locally made high-efficiency half-cell solar module.

“The joint lab is the core driver behind these achievements, providing comprehensive support for our technological breakthroughs and independent production,” Zahran said.

Building an R&D and production system

“Before the joint lab was launched for establishment, Egypt’s PV sector faced numerous constraints,” Zahran noted. There was a lack of standardized R&D facilities, complete sets of production equipment, and mature fabrication processes or technical systems. Since all solar cells relied on imports, local research teams had no means to conduct hands-on R&D or test trial-mass production.

The joint lab changed all of that.

“It established a complete PV cell R&D and production system for Egypt,” Zahran said. The system covers core processes of PV cell manufacturing, a complete set of professional production and testing equipment, and a standardized, clean R&D and production facility tailored for desert climates.

“Over the years, the joint lab has truly become a standout ‘Chinese business card’ locally,” said Zhou Meng, deputy director of the research department at the 48th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). Moving forward, the two sides will further promote joint R&D and transformation of advanced PV technologies, enabling local residents to enjoy more technological dividends from renewable energy.

Broadening the scope of collaboration

“Egypt is rich in solar resources, with an average of 3,000 hours of full sunshine per year, giving it uniquely gifted natural conditions for developing renewable energy like solar power. China possesses the world’s most mature PV technologies, equipment, and supply chains,” Zhou said. The cooperation between China and Egypt in the renewable energy sector represents a textbook case of complementary advantages, making the partnership “a perfect match right from the start.”

During the initial construction phase of the joint lab on Karaman Island, the site faced constraints in local power supply and water access.

“In response to these challenges, the joint lab has established a series of PV demonstration systems, including an on/off-grid PV system, a PV water pumping system, and a PV water purification system,” said Lu Yunzhang, a research fellow at the 48th Research Institute of CETC. These “small and beautiful” livelihood projects have effectively mitigated local power and water scarcity, serving as a practical model for regional energy security.

In the eyes of Aref Eliwa, a professor at the ASRT, there is immense potential for China-Egypt cooperation in the renewable energy sector, and the joint lab has a promising future in driving Egypt’s energy transition.

“Through the invaluable platform of the joint lab, scientists from China and Egypt can carry out deep cooperation and drive joint innovation,” Eliwa noted, citing an example. With collaborative research efforts, the joint lab overcame technical bottlenecks in high-resistance dense-grid solar cell technology. The milestone significantly enhanced PV cell efficiency and laid a solid technological foundation for developing PV products tailored to Egypt’s local solar environment.

Forging a deep friendship

In building and running the joint lab side by side, the two sides have shared thick and thin, leading to a steady deepening of their friendship and collaboration.

“In our day-to-day work, despite differences in language, culture, and habits, we have always been completely aligned, moving forward with a single mind and a shared purpose,” Lu said. One memory remains particularly vivid for him. On one occasion, the joint lab urgently needed an industrial component that could not be found locally. Upon hearing this, an Egyptian contractor immediately dispatched a courier to drive more than 600 kilometers through the night from Cairo to deliver it. “This kind of ‘we’re in this together’ solidarity is truly moving.”

What remains especially unforgettable for Zahran is that at the initial construction phase of the joint lab, the temperature inside the joint lab soared past 40 degrees Celsius during the testing and commissioning of the diffusion furnace. Yet, the Chinese staff still worked tirelessly for long hours to ensure the project stayed on schedule.

“It is moments like these that make me say with certainty: we have never been two separate teams, but rather one family tightly bound by a shared mission,” Zahran said. This shared mission is to jointly tackle breakthroughs in renewable energy technologies, steering Egypt and the entire African continent toward success in the green energy sector.

“In the future, we plan to upgrade the joint lab into a regional renewable energy innovation center,” stated Zhou. Through collaborative R&D, technology demonstration and promotion, as well as technical training, the joint lab will amplify its spillover and driving effects across the region.

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SOURCE Science and Technology Daily

LONDON, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PERIOD., a cycle tracking app that does not ask for a user’s name, carries no advertising and sells nothing about the women who use it, launches in the UK today. It reached number one in the Dutch health App Store within weeks of its March launch.

It arrives a year to the week after a California jury found Meta liable for intercepting the menstruation and pregnancy data of women using the period app Flo, the first verdict of its kind. Meta faces exposure of up to $8 billion for Californian users alone.

Around one-in-three UK women have used a period or fertility app. The University of Cambridge’s Minderoo Centre called that data a “gold mine” for profiling, warning it can expose women to insurance discrimination, workplace monitoring, cyberstalking and barriers to abortion.

PERIOD. is built on a simpler premise: an app cannot lose, sell or surrender what it never asked for. No name required, no advertising, no data sales, and none of the tracking tools much of the category relies on. The company is bootstrapped, with no investors to satisfy.

It was built by Lisa Volkers, former chief editor of the Dutch title LINDA.meiden, and her partner Diederick Trampe.

“I wanted to understand my own cycle, and instead I was handing over everything about myself to companies I knew nothing about,” said Volkers, co-founder and CEO of PERIOD. “So we built the opposite. You hold your data, and you can delete all of it in a second.”

Basic tracking is free and data is held on servers in the European Union. Users can export or delete everything at any time. The paid tier, PERIOD. plus, adds an AI assistant that answers questions about symptoms and hormones in 19 languages and does not train on what users tell it.

“Britain has just taken women out of the criminal law on abortion, but the records those investigations relied on are still being collected, in apps women cannot see inside. Laws change. The only reliable protection is not to hold the information in the first place.”

PERIOD. reached 10,000 users in its first two weeks and is now used by tens of thousands of women in the Netherlands.

Please find images here and for more information visit: myperiod.app

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