December 2008
The Year in Review
For ink manufacturers, 2008 finished on a difficult note, as the economy and the state of raw materials took its toll. Still, there is a sense of cautious optimism going into 2009, as ‘green’ products and new technologies offer opportunities.
By David Savastano
The Metallic Market
Metallic inks, used to create eye-catching graphics, are becoming more popular in packaging to attract consumers and create differentiation on the shelf.
By Kerry Pianoforte
With New Silicon-Based Inks, Kovio is Poised to Make Gains in PE
By David Savastano
Waxes, Solvents and Additives
The development of new environmentally friendly technologies is helping suppliers offset higher raw material costs and the economic downturn.
By David Savastano
Ink Manufacturers are Adapting to Increased Automation in Printing
By Sean Milmo
Color Resolutions' Joe Schlinkert Receives NAPIM's Printing Ink Pioneer Award
CRI's technical director honored with prestigious award
By David Savastano
Ink Inc.
Cranfield Colours is Committed to Quality Products and Support
By Kerry Pianoforte
November 2008
The European Ink Directory
This year's directory covers all of Europe, from the leading international ink companies to regional and local ink manufacturers, complete with contact and product information.
By Staff
The Energy-Curable Market
Despite raw material pricing and supply issues, UV- and EB-curable inks and coatings enjoy growth in the marketplace, while LED-curable technologies offer new opportunities.
By David Savastano
NPIRI Conference Examines Sustainability and the Environment
Ink manufacturers, suppliers, printers and print buyers were on hand to discuss the sustainability and environmental issues during NPIRI’s annual technical conference.
By David Savastano
Market for Printed Coatings Continues to Expand
By Sean Milmo
Ink Inc.
Engineering Excellence Fuels ImTech’s Growth
By David Savastano
October 2008
The Packaging Ink Market
Higher raw material costs and the weakening economy have impacted the packaging market, although there are also opportunities for growth.
By David Savastano
The Growing Market for Solar Cells
Printing is playing a key role in the development of low-cost flexible thin-film solar cells, and ink companies are creating novel new technologies for this fast-growing market.
By David Savastano
The Publication Ink Report
Publication ink manufacturers are trying to balance higher costs with the need for new products as they try to help their customers meet the demands of the changing marketplace.
By David Savastano
Central Ink's Richard Breen Receives NAPIM's Printing Ink Pioneer Award
By David Savastano
Proposed BASF – Ciba Merger May Foreshadow Further Consolidation
As companies struggle with higher raw materials costs, a struggling economy and increasing pressure on margins, more consolidation is likely throughout the supply chain.
By Sean MIlmo
Ink Inc.
Creative Materials Offers Top-Level Service, R&D Expertise
By David Savastano
September 2008
The Buyers' Guide
From adhesion promoters to zinc oxide, and attritors to waste management, Ink World's Annual Buyers' Guide has everything you may need, as well as key information on suppliers, distributors and trade associations.
By Staff
Preparing for REACH
As European ink companies and their suppliers continue the pre-registration phase of REACH, they also are considering the impact of the legislation on raw materials, formulations and the ink industry as a whole.
By David Savastano
New Inkjet Technologies Take Aim at Sheetfed Offset Market
Having made major gains in the large format segment at the expense of screen printing, inkjet is now poised to make further inroads in the sheetfed market.
By Sean MIlmo
Ink Inc.
One Solution S.A. Brings Strong Experience to Inkjet Market
By David Savastano
August 2008
The Top International Ink Companies
For the leading global ink manufacturers, 2008 was a time of economic uncertainty, as raw material prices continued to rise and the U.S. dollar slumped. Still, ink industry leaders also see some opportunities ahead.
By Staff
International Companies to Watch
By Staff
Drupa 2008 Review
Drupa 2008 was another huge show, with nearly 391,000 visitors from 138 countries checking out the 1,971 exhibits, and leading international ink manufacturers were well represented, showcasing innovative new products and services.
By David Savastano
Printed Electronics Make Gains, But There are Challenges Ahead
The printed electronics industry in Europe is enjoying growth, but obstacles such as pricing and further technological improvements remain.
By Sean MIlmo
High-Performance Pigments
Despite pricing pressures and a challenging economic environment, demand for high performance pigments continues to increase.
By Kerry Pianoforte
Ink Inc.
Innovation, Quality are Keys to General Technology’s Success
By David Savastano
A conversation with: Rudi Lenz, Sun Chemical
By David Savastano
A conversation with: Charles Knott, Flint Group
By David Savastano
A conversation with: Herbert Forker, Siegwerk
By David Savastano
A conversation with: Kunio Sakuma, Toyo Ink
By David Savastano
July 2008
Latin American Ink Growth Tempered by U.S. Downturn
There are good opportunities for growth in Latin America, notably in packaging, but ink manufacturers are keeping an eye on the U.S. economy.
By Charles Thurston
The Inkjet Ink Report
The growth of digital technologies was very much evident at drupa 2008, and inkjet ink manufacturers continue to find new growth opportunities.
By David Savastano
Q&A with Gans Ink & Supply’s Jeff Koppelman
This year's Ault Award honoree offers his views on the changes occurring in the printing and ink industries, as well as the opportunities going forward.
By David Savastano
Energy Efficiency, Sustainability are Key Topics at drupa 2008
With an eye toward the soaring cost of energy and the increasing interest in sustainability, exhibitors at drupa 2008 emphasized new technologies.
By Sean Milmo
INX's Hiroshi Ota Receives NAPIM's Printing Ink Pioneer Award
Hiroshi Ota, senior managing director of SAKATA INX and chairman of INX International Ink Co., honored by NAPIM
By David Savastano
CPMA's Annual Conference Showcases Why 'Color Matters'
By David Savastano
Ink Inc.
Frimpeks Offers Full Package of UV Inks, Varnishes and Label Stocks
By David Savastano
June 2008
The Asian Ink Market
As the Asia-Pacific region continues to enjoy economic expansion, led by China and India, printing ink manufacturers are enjoying strong growth throughout the region.
By David Savastano
Financial, Regulatory and Supply Issues In China Impact Pigment Industry
It is a nervous time for ink producers and distributors in Europe due to the impact of the policies of China’s government on the production of organic pigments and raw materials.
By Sean Milmo
The Importance of Testing Equipment
Testing equipment allows ink manufacturers to ensure quality and consistency in all facets of business, from incoming raw materials to the finished ink. As a result, ink companies rely on testing equipment manufacturers for expertise.
By David Savastano
NAPIM Convention Focuses On Growth, Innovation and Collaboration
By David Savastano
RadTech 2008 Showcases UV, EB Technologies
By David Savastano
NAPIM News
NPIRI Printing Ink Technology Course
By David Savastano
Ink Inc.
Applied Nanotech Specializes in Problem Solving
By David Savastano
May 2008
The Resin Report
Higher raw material prices, led by crude oil, continue to impact resin manufacturers, but the surge in new product development is helping to drive sales growth.
By David Savastano
Ink Manufacturers Take to the Stage at drupa 2008
Global ink companies are preparing to showcase their new products and services to an estimated 400,000 attendees during drupa 2008.
By David Savastano
The RFID Report
The RFID market continues to enjoy excellent growth as adaptation of the technology expands rapidly, and some major ink manufacturers are well-positioned to grow within the conductive ink marketplace.
By David Savastano
The Gravure Report
Gravure must continue to improve turnaround times while remaining competitive on cost in order to expand market penetration.
By Kerry Pianoforte
Sustainability for Inks and Printing
By Don Duncan
Paper, Ink Manufacturers Collaborate To Develop Innovative New Products
Plays So Well with Others: New Dispersing Resin Technology Offers Viscosity Control, Compatibility, Efficiency and Higher Pigment Loading
By Kay Sanborn
Ink Inc.
Service, Quality are Keys to Strategic Ink Solutions’ Growth
By David Savastano
April 2008
The North American Top 20 Report
Despite higher raw materials and operational costs that continue to impact the printing ink industry, many North American ink companies were able to show some growth during 2007.
By Staff
UV/EB Inks are Enjoying Strong Growth Throughout Europe
UV/EB inks are growing much faster than conventional inks throughout Europe, as tighter regulatory controls, higher quality are driving growth.
By Sean Milmo
UV/EB Raw Materials Market
Rising energy costs and environmental regulations continue to drive the market for UV/EB technologies.
By Kerry Pianoforte
Color Resolutions' George Sickinger Receives NAPIM's Printing Ink Pioneer Award
CRI's chairman, president and CEO earns prestigious honor from NAPIM
By David Savastano
The First Step to Quantifying 'Green'
By Al Berna
Ink Inc.
Advanced Ink & Chemical Sees Opportunities in Niche Markets
By David Savastano
March 2008
The Pigment Report
Although pigment companies generally noted that 2007 was a relatively good year for the industry, there are also numerous concerns for the future, including raw material costs, the economy, the elimination of the VAT in China and environmental mandates.
By David Savastano
The European Ink Report
European ink manufacturers are bracing for a challenging year, although there are opportunities for growth in some regions and markets.
By Sean Milmo
The Flexo Ink Market
For flexo ink manufacturers, 2007 was a good year, as packaging continues to show growth and the interest in the environment draws attention to water-based and UV flexo inks.
By David Savastano
Superior Printing Ink's Sal Moscuzza Receives NAPIM's Printing Ink Pioneer Award
Senior vice president and principal ink technologist receives prestigious award from NAPIM
By David Savastano
Ink Inc.
Quantum Ink Emphasizes Importance of Quality, Service
By David Savastano
February 2008
The UV Inkjet Market
Digital technologies continue to make gains in printing, and UV inkjet is particularly well positioned to increase its share of this growing market.
By David Savastano
As Counterfeiting Grows, Security Inks Gain in Popularity
While sales of security inks are rising in Europe, many brand owners are still selecting less effective anti-counterfeiting products due to cost considerations.
By Sean MIlmo
Vehicles and Varnishes
The role of vehicles and varnishes is a critical one, and suppliers are developing new technologies while also facing increasingly higher raw material costs.
By David Savastano
The Milling Report
Milling equipment manufacturers are seeing particular interest in process improvements and new technologies, including nanotechnology.
By Kerry Pianoforte
Siegwerk's Kent Shah Retires from the Ink Industry
By David Savastano
INX's Dr. Kotaro Morita Receives NAPIM’s Technical Achievement Award
By David Savastano
Ink Inc.
EuroStar Focuses on High-Quality Inks
By David Savastano
January 2008
The U.S. Ink Directory
From Accent Ink to Zeres, Ink World’s Annual U.S. Ink Directory offers a comprehensive list of addresses, contact information, products and key names on more than 200 printing ink manufacturers.
By Staff
The Sheetfed Ink Report
Despite concerns over raw material costs and consolidation among customers, ink manufacturers believe there are opportunities ahead for the sheetfed market.
By David Savastano
Move Toward Eco-Friendly Products is Likely to Lead to Increased Costs
European ink manufacturers are seeing increasing interest in environmentally friendly products. However, the cost of renewable resources is rising, and it will likely lead to higher prices.
By Sean Milmo
Printed Electronics Market is on the Rise
Printed Electronics USA 07 showcased many of the new technologies that are driving the growth of printed electronics.
By David Savastano
Ink Inc.
Vivid Colors Distributes World-Class Printing Inks
By Kerry Pianoforte
