Global Printing Inks Industry
The global printing inks market is expected to generate revenue of more than $18 billion in 2017, according to research from Global Industry Analysts. Market growth will be driven by innovation in new segments such as inkjets and UV inks, as well as demand for greener, environmentally friendly inks. Industry players will see growth opportunities in energy-curable ink technology and radiation curing inks.
Closely linked to economic growth, the printing inks industry is set to benefit from economic recovery. Growth will, however, be moderate as the industry is still feeling the effects of rising raw material prices and the financial recession. Product development is helping industry players adapt their offerings to applications and customer needs. Pricing pressures will remain a serious issue for the industry in the near future, with expansion dependent on growth in end-use industries such as commercial publishing/printing and packaging.
Key Segments
- The world inkjet head market is expected to near $2 billion by 2017, reports Global Industry Analysts. Industry performance will be fuelled by widespread adoption of new digital imaging devices, applications such as micro-fabrication of three-dimensional structures, microdispensing for biological applications, and electronic deposition, as well as growth in digital imaging. Industrial and textile printing use of inkjet printheads will also drive demand.
- The global digital inks market is expected to exceed $1 billion by 2015, reports Global Industry Analysts. Market expansion will be driven by rising demand for environmentally friendly and UV inks. Technology innovation resulting in new ink products and new application areas will also fuel growth in the global digital ink market.
Regional Market Share
- The US dominates the printing inks market in terms of both volume and sales value, reports Global Industry Analysts. UV, free radical and cationic ink sales are fuelling growth in the EU market. While developed markets dominate the global printing ink industry, growing demand from emerging markets is fuelling industry performance. More recent applications in the Asian and EU markets are driving growth for energy-curable ink systems. Radiation curing inks are in increasing demand in the publishing sector as magazine and catalog covers become increasingly sophisticated.
- The highest rate of growth in the global printing inks industry can be witnessed in the Asia-Pacific region, led by India and China. This region is expected to record close to 6% yearly growth over the coming years, with expansion fuelled by regional publication and commercial printing industries.
- Demand for printing inks in the US is expected to reach almost $5 billion in 2013, according to research from Freedonia. Value growth will be limited by downward pricing pressures as price increases are capped due to competition between industry players. Demand for more expensive digital and energy-curable inks will have a positive impact on industry performance, along with greater use of these inks in the large packaging sector. The additive and colorant segments are forecast to witness the fastest rate of growth due to growing demand for brighter colors and superior-performance inks. US exports have risen in recent years, spurring industry players to seek sales growth abroad. Better quality ink exports will increase as Asian and Latin American printers avail of new technologies and adopt the use of higher-speed presses. Digital inks will continue to record the highest rate of growth within the US, fuelled by advances in digital technology such as print speed and quality, opening up new digital inks applications.
Industry Leaders
- Leading players currently operating in the global printing inks industry include Tokyo Printing Ink, Brancher, Sanchez, Siegwerk Druckfarben, DIC, Encres Dubuit, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals, Epple Druckfarben, Huber Group, Flint Group, Sicpa, ZELLER+GMELIN, Ruco Druckfarben/AM Ramp, Cromos Tintas Graficas, Environmental Inks and Coatings, and Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son.
Market Outlook
In the years to come, technology innovation and environmental awareness will help shape the global printing inks sector. Printing presses are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with greater speed and automation, which in turn is fuelling demand for higher-quality inks. Global Industry Analysts predicts demand for environmentally friendly inks, such as water-based inks and vegetable-oil based inks, will rise in tandem with growing environmental awareness. The leading market segment, lithographic inks, is set to benefit from a growing trend toward lithographic printing. The digital ink market segment is also set to witness strong annual growth of almost 4% in coming years.
Leading Industry Associations
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