David Savastano, Ink World Editor07.11.07
The ink industry has had its share of challenges in recent years. Raw material pricing has been a source of much concern, and competition remains fierce in many of the key business segments. However, it is important to remember that the printing ink industry has also been enjoying growth in other areas.
This month, Ink World looks at two of the areas – one a technology, the other a geographical region – where the ink industry has been faring very well indeed.
For the printing industry, the strongest area of growth in recent years has been on the digital side of the business. Certainly, the success of inkjet in wide format is clear, and inkjet is also making inroads into other segments.
For inkjet ink companies, determining where the next significant gains will be made by inkjet is key to future growth. In my Inkjet Ink Report, beginning on page 28, key inkjet ink executives discuss the present growth in the market, and the potential for inkjet printing in the commercial sheetfed and packaging segments.
The advantages of inkjet are clear, and new technologies are improving speed and quality. It is only a matter of time before inkjet gains a solid share of the sizable packaging and sheetfed markets, and ink manufacturers are developing the inks that will help drive growth in these key markets.
In terms of geography, Latin America has been a healthy market for international and regional ink manufacturers alike. The ink market, which is estimated at $750 million, has been growing at a rate roughly equal to the gross domestic product growth of approximately 4 percent. As a result, ink companies are reporting solid growth in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and the rest of the region. For more on the Latin American printing ink market, please see Charles Thurston’s article beginning on page 25.
There are certainly opportunities available for ink manufacturers. The key is to be able to take advantage of the chances that are available, whether it requires new technologies or geographic expansion.
David Savastano
This month, Ink World looks at two of the areas – one a technology, the other a geographical region – where the ink industry has been faring very well indeed.
For the printing industry, the strongest area of growth in recent years has been on the digital side of the business. Certainly, the success of inkjet in wide format is clear, and inkjet is also making inroads into other segments.
For inkjet ink companies, determining where the next significant gains will be made by inkjet is key to future growth. In my Inkjet Ink Report, beginning on page 28, key inkjet ink executives discuss the present growth in the market, and the potential for inkjet printing in the commercial sheetfed and packaging segments.
The advantages of inkjet are clear, and new technologies are improving speed and quality. It is only a matter of time before inkjet gains a solid share of the sizable packaging and sheetfed markets, and ink manufacturers are developing the inks that will help drive growth in these key markets.
In terms of geography, Latin America has been a healthy market for international and regional ink manufacturers alike. The ink market, which is estimated at $750 million, has been growing at a rate roughly equal to the gross domestic product growth of approximately 4 percent. As a result, ink companies are reporting solid growth in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and the rest of the region. For more on the Latin American printing ink market, please see Charles Thurston’s article beginning on page 25.
There are certainly opportunities available for ink manufacturers. The key is to be able to take advantage of the chances that are available, whether it requires new technologies or geographic expansion.