Distribution of inks in Europe is going through a period of radical change which is raising questions about what will be the future role of distributors
The top international ink manufacturers faced major challenges during the last year, as raw material prices rose while the global recession impacted demand for printing.
Leading ink manufacturers had a challenging year, as higher raw material prices dominated the first half of 2008, and the global recession heavily impacted sales at the end of the year.
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.
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.
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.
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.