David Savastano, Editor11.12.19
The ink industry has been fairly consistent over the past few years, and that continued throughout 2019. The packaging ink industry continues to thrive, with ink formulators creating new technologies to meet food packaging mandates. Digital printing is making sizable gains, which is cutting into the publication and commercial printing markets.
These trends are highlighted in “The 2019 Year in Review,” which starts on page 20. Ink industry executives discussed the changes they have seen this past year, as well as the challenges they anticipate as we head into 2020.
In talking with these leaders, they emphasize the need to expand their reach and develop new technologies. The printing market is not standing still, and the status quo will not be good enough to survive.
Moving forward into 2020, many of the concerns that have been expressed previously remain today. In some cases, like higher prices and availability issues for raw materials, ink companies can take a variety of actions, such as through new sourcing, reformulating the inks, or taking on the higher costs by raising their own ink prices.
Preparing for tighter environmental standards such as for food packaging also requires proactive leadership and a combination of R&D and regulatory efforts. Sustainability will continue to be a key issue in the coming years, and ink companies are preparing to help their customers.
In other cases, ink companies are forced to watch from the sidelines. Ink executives are wary of the tariff battle between the US and China, and are watching to see how that turns out.
Above all, ink industry executives stress the importance of keeping their customers aware of what is happening. Customers don’t like surprises. They may not like hearing about higher prices or other issues, but being transparent helps maintain trust between all parties.
These trends are highlighted in “The 2019 Year in Review,” which starts on page 20. Ink industry executives discussed the changes they have seen this past year, as well as the challenges they anticipate as we head into 2020.
In talking with these leaders, they emphasize the need to expand their reach and develop new technologies. The printing market is not standing still, and the status quo will not be good enough to survive.
Moving forward into 2020, many of the concerns that have been expressed previously remain today. In some cases, like higher prices and availability issues for raw materials, ink companies can take a variety of actions, such as through new sourcing, reformulating the inks, or taking on the higher costs by raising their own ink prices.
Preparing for tighter environmental standards such as for food packaging also requires proactive leadership and a combination of R&D and regulatory efforts. Sustainability will continue to be a key issue in the coming years, and ink companies are preparing to help their customers.
In other cases, ink companies are forced to watch from the sidelines. Ink executives are wary of the tariff battle between the US and China, and are watching to see how that turns out.
Above all, ink industry executives stress the importance of keeping their customers aware of what is happening. Customers don’t like surprises. They may not like hearing about higher prices or other issues, but being transparent helps maintain trust between all parties.