Global food processing and packaging leader Tetra Pak has launched its newest Customer Innovation Centre (CIC) in Bangkok, Thailand, providing Philippine food and beverage (F&B) companies—particularly micro small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—with access to end-to-end product development support that aims to fast-track innovation and improve market competitiveness.
The CIC is expected to boost innovation capacity and reduce time-to-market by up to for new products, enabling local brands to co-develop new products, test sustainable packaging solutions, and validate concepts in a regional facility—without the capital investment required for in-house R&D. Equipped with co-creation workspaces, consumer trend analytics and prototypying facilities, the CIC provides a dedicated space where customers can break free from day-to-day operations to explore innovative solutions and unlock new growth opportunities across their entire production journey.
The grand opening event, held on May 14, 2025, welcomed esteemed guests and industry stakeholders, including Mr. Per Linnér, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, senior representatives from Business Sweden and the Thai Swedish Chamber of Commerce, as well as Tetra Pak’s valued customers and partners.
“This is a strategic enabler for Philippine brands,” said David Tan, Sales Director, Tetra Pak. “Through the CIC Bangkok, our partners gain practical tools to accelerate their innovation pipeline—whether it’s faster testing cycles, early packaging validation, or collaborative development with our regional experts.”
Addressing MSME Constraints in Product Innovation
MSMEs account for 99.6% of all registered businesses in the Philippines and employ over 63% of the workforce. In the F&B sector, they play a critical role in local supply chains and regional exports. However, many face systemic barriers to innovation, including high R&D costs, limited lab access, and the technical complexity of regulatory-compliant packaging.
The CIC Bangkok directly addresses these constraints by offering first-time access to protoyping equipment needed to run rapid prototype to visualize ideas, real-time consumer insight testing, and modular packaging design labs. These capabilities are typically inaccessible to local businesses due to cost, scale, or lack of local infrastructure.
A Structured Innovation Process
The CIC uses a five-step development model designed to reduce risks and accelerate time-to-market:
Insight Discovery: Conducting in-depth research to understand market dynamics and consumer needs
Category Immersion: Leveraging global trends and market opportunities to develop tailored business strategies
Innovation Showcase: Showcasing inspiring solutions from around the world to spark creativity and new product possibilities
Co-creation Space: Providing a collaborative environment to generate and refine innovative ideas
Prototyping: Rapidly developing tangible prototypes for testing, feedback, and iteration before market launch
“The demand in the Philippines is shifting toward healthier, export-ready, and more sustainable products,” added Tan. “This hub gives our partners a tangible advantage—whether they’re looking to enter new markets or improve shelf appeal.”
“At Tetra Pak, we believe innovation is key to staying competitive. The launch of the CIC Bangkok underscores our commitment to helping the industry navigate change and explore new growth opportunities. We welcome businesses to use the CIC as a springboard for innovation and stronger market presence,” Julia Luscher, Vice President Marketing, Market Operations, Tetra Pak noted at the launch.
A Platform for Regional Growth
The CIC Bangkok joins Tetra Pak’s global network of innovation centers in the United States, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, and Dubai. It also serves as a precursor to the 2026 launch of Tetra Pak’s Product Development Centre in Rayong, Thailand, where businesses will be able to test full-scale food processing equipment before commercial rollout.
For Philippine companies aiming to expand regionally or compete in export markets, the Bangkok CIC offers an accessible and practical pathway to de-risk innovation while aligning with international quality and sustainability standards.
