Global Water-based Printing Inks Market to Reach $11.36 Billion in 2021: Research and Markets

The global water-based printing inks market is expected to grow from $10.84 billion in 2020 to $11.36 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. 

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $13.36 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4%.

The water-based printing inks market consists of sales of water-based printing inks and related services used for printing on fabric and paper. Water-based printing inks are referred to as aqueous inks and are dye and pigment inks. They are not waterproof and fade in UV light. The use of water-based printing inks has been limited due to compatibility with substrate materials, but they are successfully used in various applications including printing on fabric, paper, and some plastics.

3D technology will be a driver of the printing inks market during the forecast period. With a rise in worldwide interest in 3D printing technology from consumers, researchers, and industrial production, there is expected to be a high demand for 3D printing inks. Unlike 2D inks which are intended for the fabrication of planar surfaces, 3D inks are intended for the fabrication of volumetric constructs and devices. In April 2018, researchers at Dartmouth College developed a smart ink that turns 3D-printed structures into objects that can change shape and color. The ink aims to add even more functionality to 3D printing. Similarly, in June 2018, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, developed a novel ink, which, when combined with a new method of printing and with varying lighting, hardens with the 3D printing object

Water-based printing inks take a considerably large amount of time to be cured when compared with non-water-based printing inks. The water-based printing inks printed on a surface, a certain temperature must be reached and held to completely dry the solvent used for printing. Though the printer can print the desired image quality and image onto a wide range of substrates, they cannot be done simultaneously, reducing the speed of the printer. This creates an obstacle to used water-based printing inks, thereby restraining the growth of the market.

The water-based printing inks market covered in this report is segmented by type into acrylic water-based inks, maleic water-based inks, and shellac water-based inks.

Many companies in the printing inks market are shifting from manufacturing petroleum-based printing inks to manufacturing environmentally friendly printing inks (green printing inks). Unlike petroleum-based printing inks, green printing inks do not contain heavy metals or other dangerous and toxic substances, therefore they do not cause excessive pollution in the landfill. Green printing inks are based on sustainable materials such as soy and other plant-based origins, which are more sustainable than petroleum. Examples of green printing inks include water-based and oil-based printing inks. The use of green printing inks results in a reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released during the printing process. 

See more: Water-Based Printing Inks Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030