David Savastano, Editor01.19.18
Printing has changed over the years, and with it, so has the ink industry. I get a first-hand look at this every year via our annual US Ink Directory, a comprehensive list of more than 190 US ink manufacturers. I spoke with many ink manufacturers for the US Ink Directory, and I am always thankful that these executives set aside time to speak with me.
Every year, the list changes somewhat, as new companies open their doors while others are acquired or close for good. We see companies adding new product lines while eliminating others, whether through expansion of R&D or acquisition.
Over time, the list has changed noticeably. For example, the family-owned sheetfed ink companies that were so numerous decades ago have declined in number along with the small sheetfed printers they supplied. Packaging ink specialists have been the focus of most merger and acquisition activity in recent years.
Many small inkjet ink companies sprung up in the early 2000s, but many of them have disappeared as larger ink companies brought their resources to bear on this market. There are more conductive ink companies now than ever before, but many of them will be acquired for their technology by larger ink companies that have the R&D resources and manufacturing and sales operations to service this expanding opportunity.
Conductive inks are critical to the field of flexible and printed electronics, which is finally starting to move toward its potential. In “The Flexible and Printed Electronics Market in 2017,” which begins on page 41, I provide an overview of the past year.
Each year, I highlight five new technologies that caught my attention. This year, products from major manufacturers, including Bosch, GE and L’Oréal, made the list, a clear sign that flexible and printed electronics are starting to move toward the mainstream, and a signal that this is a promising area for printing ink manufacturers as well.
Every year, the list changes somewhat, as new companies open their doors while others are acquired or close for good. We see companies adding new product lines while eliminating others, whether through expansion of R&D or acquisition.
Over time, the list has changed noticeably. For example, the family-owned sheetfed ink companies that were so numerous decades ago have declined in number along with the small sheetfed printers they supplied. Packaging ink specialists have been the focus of most merger and acquisition activity in recent years.
Many small inkjet ink companies sprung up in the early 2000s, but many of them have disappeared as larger ink companies brought their resources to bear on this market. There are more conductive ink companies now than ever before, but many of them will be acquired for their technology by larger ink companies that have the R&D resources and manufacturing and sales operations to service this expanding opportunity.
Conductive inks are critical to the field of flexible and printed electronics, which is finally starting to move toward its potential. In “The Flexible and Printed Electronics Market in 2017,” which begins on page 41, I provide an overview of the past year.
Each year, I highlight five new technologies that caught my attention. This year, products from major manufacturers, including Bosch, GE and L’Oréal, made the list, a clear sign that flexible and printed electronics are starting to move toward the mainstream, and a signal that this is a promising area for printing ink manufacturers as well.