Mergers and acquisitions, which have been scarce in recent years, dominated the news in 2005.

Raw material pricing pressures continue, while supply issues have stabilized.

Although price increases continue to affect the metallic and special effect ink market, suppliers focus on innovation to drive growth.

The past year was one of tremendous changes, as major acquisitions such as the merger of Flint Ink and XSYS Print Solutions, Siegwerk Group's acquisition of SICPA Packaging Ink Division and Huber Group's acquisition of a majority share in Micro Inks dramatically reshaped the ink industry.

UV and EB cured inks offers printers high quality and fast turn-around.

Attendees gather in Las Vegas to examine 'Future Directions in Printing Ink'

The expanding packaging market is providing ink companies with the opportunity to develop new technologies and differentiate their products and services.

Faced with escalating raw material and operational costs and demand for new technologies, ink industry leaders are seeking much-needed price increases.

European Report

Major Acquisitions are Transforming The Printing Ink Industry

As the price of oil derivatives and other key raw materials continues to increase and availability of some products remain a concern, ink manufacturers anticipate further challenges in the coming year.

Once approved, Siegwerk will be the fifth-largest international ink manufacturer, with more than $940 million in annual sales.

Industry leaders and friends alike remember H. Howard Flint II, chairman of Flint Ink, as the ultimate people person and friend.

As new applications continue to emerge, ink jet ink manufacturers are developing new inks and complete systems that are creating further opportunities.

The Canadian Ink Industry remains quite vibrant, even though consolidation, currency rates and costs have impacted business.

Higher raw material costs, short supply of some key ingredients and tighter margins continue to be serious issues for ink and resin manufacturers alike.

As regional growth slows to 4.2 percent and raw material costs rise, ink executives anticipate mixed results for the coming year.

Pigment producers are, with mixed results, pressing for higher prices in Europe in the wake of increases in their raw material costs.

CPMA Conference Examines 'Innovation in Color Technology'

To meet demand for greater ink variety, digital equipment manufacturers are working more closely with more ink suppliers.

The growth of flexible packaging has been a bright spot for gravure printers and ink manufacturers, as technological advances are improving turnaround and lowering costs.

Growth of radiation curing continues, but raw material price pressures and shortages remain major concerns.

The National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ recent annual convention focused on profitability and raw material prices and availability.

While most ink manufacturers saw sales growth in 2004, globalization, rising raw material costs and subsequent ink price increases were key topics in 2004.

Continued economic growth and improved living standards in the Asia-Pacific region will drive printing demand.

Demand for radiation-curing inks and coatings is increasing relatively quickly in Europe, although there are challenges to be overcome.

In a year dominated by rising raw material prices and an improving economy, many pigment manufacturers were able to get much-needed price increases.

As the European economy picks up in 2005, there are opportunities for ink manufacturers who are looking for ways to improve their margins amid the raw material price increases.

The flexo ink market continues to grow, with solvent-based and UV flexo inks having particularly strong results in recent years.

Although there generally were signs of improvement in 2004, vehicle and varnish suppliers are watching raw material pricing and profitability closely in 2005.

New toluene ruling and investments are spurring growth in packaging and publication gravure.

The decision by executives to acquire the division from Borden in 2001 was a daring one. Now, with three years of success and their new plant in place, CRI’s leaders continue to move forward.

Process improvement and greater efficiency, reliability and repeatability are among the qualities milling manufacturers are emphasizing.

Ink makers are stepping up their drive to persuade customers to accept higher selling prices to offset hikes in raw material costs.

Ink manufacturers saw some improvement in the sheetfed market, as packaging in particular showed growth, but increasing costs are creating serious concerns.

There has been significant interest in UV ink jet printing, with the recent introduction of hybrid UV-curable chemistries and its ability to adhere to a wide variety of substrates.