KDI GKEDC-IDB Invest Korea Technology Immersion Program 2026:
Smart Packaging for Sustainable Manufacturing in LAC

From October 13 to 16, 2026, the Korea Development Institute (KDI) hosted the Korea Technology Immersion Program 2026: Smart Packaging for Sustainable Manufacturing in LAC, in collaboration with IDB Invest, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group.

Building on the previous year’s program, KDI’s Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (GKEDC) designed this year’s program to support digital transformation and sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). With a dedicated focus on the packaging industry, closely linked to manufacturing competitiveness and operational efficiency, the program showcased applications of smart manufacturing and sustainable packaging technologies in Korea and facilitated connections between the technological needs of LAC companies and the innovative capabilities of Korean firms.

A total of eight executives from leading packaging manufacturers representing seven LAC countries participated in the program. Representatives from IDB Invest’s manufacturing sector and digital transformation teams also joined the delegation.

The program was structured around packaging materials and products (end-use applications), along with five technical pillars of digital transformation: AX (AI), RX (Robotics), QX (Quality), SX (Safety), and GX (Green). It consisted of ▲expert lectures, ▲company and institutional visits, ▲roundtable discussions, and ▲one-on-one business meetings.

Over four days, the LAC delegation participated in three expert lectures and institutional briefings; six site visits and meetings with flagship and sector-leading firms; a roundtable with four Korean middle-market enterprises (MMEs); and 80 one-on-one business meetings involving 26 Korean digital solution providers.

Through these activities, the delegation engaged with a wide range of Korean companies—from large conglomerates and MMEs to innovative startups—gaining practical insights into operational models across different scales and exploring linkages between the digital transformation needs of LAC manufacturers and the technological capabilities of Korean providers.

“Expert Lectures: Exploring Industry Trends and Technology Collaboration in Korea”

On Day 1, ▲Dr. Dongho Kang, Director of the Korea Packaging Center (KOPACK) at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), and ▲Mr. O Sok Kwon, Director at SIG Korea, delivered presentations on “Sustainable Packaging Trends in Korea” and “Localizing Global Packaging Technology: A Business Collaboration Case in Korea,” respectively.

Dr. Kang outlined key drivers of change in the packaging industry and highlighted innovations by Korean companies in response to evolving industry trends and market requirements. Mr. Kwon presented the commercialization of aluminum-free aseptic cartons in Korea, illustrating how a global packaging company successfully collaborated with local manufacturing partners to bring an innovative packaging solution to the Korean market. The sessions provided the delegation with a clearer understanding of Korea’s packaging industry and local market dynamics, establishing a foundation for subsequent business discussions.

“Flagship and Sectoral Visits: Showcasing Digital Technology and Manufacturing Innovation”

On the afternoon of Day 1, the delegation visited two flagship companies to observe practical applications of AI, robotics, and automation, gaining insights into the strategic value and operational benefits of digital transformation technologies. At ▲CJ Logistics’ Incheon Global Distribution Center (GDC), the delegation examined digital solutions integrated across logistics operations, including AutoStore, a robotic storage and retrieval system. A visit to ▲NAVER 1784 showcased a smart workplace integrating AI, cloud computing, and robotics, including autonomous service robots operating within the building.

On Days 2 and 3, the delegation visited leading Korean companies across key packaging materials and product categories and met with company representatives. These included ▲Hansol Paper’s Daejeon Mill (paper), ▲LOTTE Chilsung Beverage’s Anseong Factory (beverages), ▲Shinsegae Food’s Osan Factory (food), and ▲Samyang EcoTech’s Sihwa Plant (plastics), a subsidiary of Samyang Packaging.

Through these visits, delegates examined the application of digital technologies and sustainable materials across the packaging value chain—from material production and product applications to collection and recycling—and discussed ways to improve manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.

“Institutional Visit and Roundtable: Strengthening Peer-Level Collaboration with Korean MMEs”

On Day 3, KDI GKEDC and the ▲Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK) jointly organized the Korea–LAC Roundtable on Packaging Industry Innovation to facilitate business partnerships between LAC companies and Korean MMEs of comparable scale.

Four Korean MMEs interested in expanding their business in the LAC market participated in the roundtable.* The participating companies shared their business needs across the packaging value chain, including production automation, sustainable packaging materials, and reliable raw material sourcing. The discussions explored potential opportunities for collaboration in technology development and market entry.

* Chokwang Paint, Dongsung Chemical, BS Group, Dae Young Packaging

“One-on-One Business Meetings: Connecting LAC Manufacturing Needs with Korean Digital Solutions through Tailored Matching”

On Days 3 and 4, the delegation engaged in one-on-one business meetings with 26 Korean digital solution providers. Each LAC company participated in ten tailored, pre-matched 35-minute sessions to explore opportunities for digital solution adoption and business cooperation. The matching process involved assessing the technological needs of LAC manufacturers and the solutions offered by Korean providers across the five DX technical pillars. The matching arrangements were finalized through three rounds of feedback and adjustments.

During the meetings, participating companies discussed the technical feasibility of adopting and integrating digital solutions into existing operations, as well as potential next steps for collaboration. Discussions focused on specific challenges, including automation, quality inspection, predictive maintenance, and energy management. Immediately after each session, both sides evaluated the meeting against three criteria: ▲matching relevance, ▲collaboration potential, and ▲willingness to maintain contact.

Based on the aggregate evaluation scores, 33 of the 80 meetings (41.3 percent) received high ratings (9 or above out of 12) from LAC companies, while 48 (60.0 percent) received high ratings from Korean companies. Of these, 23 meetings (28.8 percent) were identified as High Potential cases, with both sides assigning high scores and showing closely aligned evaluations. Notably, 16 of these 23 cases included discussions of concrete follow-up actions, such as pilot projects, proof-of-concept (PoC) studies, solution demonstrations, and technical team reviews. IDB Invest plans to prioritize these cases for follow-up monitoring to track progress toward potential business collaboration.

The program aimed to strengthen the strategic and operational capabilities of LAC packaging industry leaders by aligning regional needs with Korea’s expertise in smart manufacturing and sustainable packaging. It offered structured exposure to best innovation practices and business collaboration models through site visits and business exchanges.

Participating LAC firms are established industry players with the organizational capacity and resources to pursue digital transformation. Nevertheless, rising market demand for high-quality and sustainable packaging is placing increasing pressure on these companies to automate production, enhance quality control, adopt sustainable materials, and establish more circular production and recycling systems.

The program enabled participants to explore solutions to these challenges and laid the groundwork for expanded technology cooperation and business partnerships between Korean and LAC companies.

Written by: Subin Kim, Research Associate, International Cooperation Team 1, Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center, KDI (+82-2-6312-4036, sbkim55@kdi.re.kr)