Four Thai entrepreneurs have received the THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA Innovation Awards 2026, reflecting the strong capabilities of Thai businesses in developing products that combine design, innovation, and sustainability.
The awards ceremony was held on March 11th during the THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2026 exhibition. The competition aims to select products that demonstrate creative concepts and respond to the evolving needs of the modern HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) industry, drawing entries from businesses around the world.
Sonite: Sustainable tableware
One of the winners was Sonite for its product “Alan Plate,” a tableware item developed from discarded eggshells. The eggshells are transformed into a new product that blends aesthetic appeal with everyday functionality, while also reflecting the concept of responsible resource use.
Nitipan Darakanon, founder of Sonite Innovative Surfaces Co., Ltd., explained that eggshells are inherently a sustainable material. In developing the product, the company did not simply incorporate eggshells as an ingredient but seriously examined ways to reduce the carbon footprint throughout the production process. This includes increasing the use of solar energy in manufacturing and carefully evaluating all related components, such as energy consumption, electricity use, and materials, to ensure that sustainability is embedded throughout the entire production process, and not just in the final product.
Kenkoon: Multifunctional outdoor dining
Another winner was Kenkoon, a Thai outdoor furniture brand, for its product “Tavolo,” an outdoor dining table that integrates kitchen functionality within a single table. The design allows outdoor dining spaces to be transformed into a shared cooking and dining experience at one table.
Metchanun Suensilpong, Design Director of Kenkoon X Co., Ltd., explained that the product’s development focuses on multifunctional design, combining multiple uses within a single product to reduce resource consumption and maximize space efficiency. The design also follows the principle of “Repair, Not Replace,” using durable materials and allowing only worn parts to be replaced when necessary, thereby extending the product’s lifespan beyond typical usage.
PASAYA: Upcycled textile decor
Meanwhile, PASAYA received an award for its “Wall Mural,” a three-dimensional textile artwork made from recycled fibers derived from plastic waste (upcycled fibers). The material has been developed into a wall decoration that combines aesthetic appeal, durability, and functional suitability for modern buildings.
Ratiya Chantian, Managing Director of Textile Gallery Co., Ltd., said the company aims to create materials that can reuse large quantities of fibers derived from plastic waste. Once used in real applications, the materials are designed to have a long lifespan so that they do not eventually return to becoming waste again.
Tevaphan: Compostable coffee capsules
Another award went to Tevaphan Co., Ltd., producer of the tea brand “Cha Tra Nokyung,” for its product “Bio PBS Coffee Capsules.” These coffee capsules are made from home-compostable bioplastic and can naturally decompose in soil within about one year, helping to reduce waste from conventional coffee capsules that typically require specialized disposal processes.
Thanet Dharmikavongs, Managing Director of Tevaphan Co., Ltd., explained that most coffee capsules currently on the market require industrial composting systems to break down — systems that are still not widely available in Thailand. The company therefore developed capsules that can be buried in soil and naturally decompose within approximately one year, allowing hotels and restaurants to manage their waste more conveniently and efficiently.
Thailand’s as a regional HoReCa hub
This year’s THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2026 exhibition, organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and Koelnmesse Germany (KM), provided opportunities for Thai and international entrepreneurs to expand business networks, exchange knowledge, and build international collaborations.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, the expo attracted more than 20,000 buyers, entrepreneurs, and investors, with its projected trade value exceeding THB3.5 billion (about US$100 million).
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who presided over the opening ceremony, said THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA reflects Thailand’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for the “HoReCa” sector comprising hotels, restaurants, cafés, and catering across Asia.
The THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA Innovation Awards are regarded as an important recognition for innovation within the HoReCa industry, reflecting the future direction of the sector while encouraging entrepreneurs worldwide to develop products that meet the demands of innovation, design, and sustainability.
