David Savastano, Editor07.12.18
The economies in Latin and South America are continuing to grow, which is also helping printing and ink industries. Still, the region defies simple generalizations, as each of the countries has its own characteristics.
Ink World places the region’s ink market at approximately $1 billion annually, led by Brazil and Mexico, and leading ink manufacturers are active throughout Latin America.
Fernando Tavara, president, Sun Chemical Latin America, said that the past year saw growth in the region, but Brazil and Mexco remain concerns.
“Overall, Sun Chemical has seen positive growth in Latin America during the past year, but there is significant turbulence in the region, especially in Brazil and Mexico, which are the two largest markets in Latin America,” Tavara reported. “Although the political uncertainty continues in Brazil, the economy has shown evident signals of recovery. In Mexico, the presidential election, in addition to difficulties arising from the renegotiations of the terms of the NAFTA treaty and delays in investment decisions, have generated a deceleration of the economic activity. The uncertainty in the region also impacted the volatile foreign exchanges in the region.”
Ernesto Sanchez, president of Sanchez SA de CV, the largest ink manufacturer in Mexico and Central America, said that last year and the first months of the present year have been “very interesting” for Mexico.
“Two big issues are influencing the decision makers in our country: the uncertainty surrounding the negotiation of the NAFTA, and the presidential elections,” Sanchez said. “Both have delayed investment not only in the markets we serve, but in the whole economy.
“A big change in our free trade agreement with Canada and the United States could jeopardize the grow of our economy for the coming years, and it could also change the whole picture of the foreign investment in Mexico,” added Sanchez. “On the other hand, the triumph of the left wing Mr. Lopez Obrador in the elections could mean that a deep review of our economy model and the role of the government over it will take place, and it is difficult to know what will come out of it.”
Andrea Serturini, president and head of LATAM region at Siegwerk, reported that during 2017, Siegwerk saw stagnant volume across the South American (LATAM) region.He said that this can be primarily attributed to political and economic instability across the region even though the South American economies already showed a slow but tangible recovery in comparison to last years.
“In addition, the high volatility in many local currencies has also had a negative impact on profitability,” Serturini pointed out. “Siegwerk has seen brand owners looking for more competitive options, and in some cases going as far as moving print jobs to countries with more favorable pricing. Lastly, across LATAM we have seen drastic drops in print media volumes.”
Serturini said that Brazil seems to be recovering, while Mexico and other countries are on the rise.
“For Siegwerk, Brazil is recovering from difficult last years,” he added. “We also see that Mexico, Colombia, Peru and the countries in Central America continue to grow at a steady pace. Across our LATAM region it is Argentina and Brazil which is still experiencing a contraction in business.”
“In recent years, Latin America has been recovering from economic and political crises that hit several countries, with consequences for the printing industry as well,” said Richard Moller, managing director of hubergroup Brazil. “But yes, we did see growth in some countries and segments of our graphic arts industry, with special emphasis on the areas of flexible packaging and carton.”
“We see growth in Paraguay, Colombia, Mexico and Bolivia,” added Moller. “In most other countries we see stability when we look to the overall graphic arts market, but with different variations according to segment, i.e. growth in flexible and offset packaging, including UV curing systems versus a small decrease in heatset and a higher decrease in coldset inks.”
“We are seeing growth, although slight, from Brazil’s publication and commercial print market with production volumes rising after severe recession from 2014 to 2016,” Sergio Pera, director at Toyo Ink Brasil, said. “However, the drop in volume was steep, due in part to the changes in information media and communication methods.
Pera added that Chile, Peru, Columbia have been the targets of converters looking to take advantage of the region’s packaging growth and consumer needs.
“Consumer behavior in these emerging markets continue to change with growing middle class and rising disposable incomes, busier lifestyles, and the demand for a more convenient, healthier living,” Pera noted. “As a result, packaging converters and brand owners are moving in and looking to provide consumer markets with the packaging formats that support new consumer tastes and lifestyles, owing to growing need for convenience and ‘on-the-go’ lifestyles. In line with market trends, Toyo Ink is focusing on developing packaging solutions that help achieve these objectives, specifically smaller packs, extended package shelf life and appeal, packaging which is lighter and more portable.”
The packaging ink side remains the strongest segment for ink manufacturers.
“Packaging grew close to the GDP level of each country in Latin America and we see many opportunities for growth,” Tavara noted. “As our local customers continue becoming more sophisticated, they are seeking added value. As the market leader in Latin America, Sun Chemical is well positioned with unparalleled capabilities to meet the growing demands in the region and can offer a complete package of solutions for one-stop shopping.”
“The packaging industry shows continued growth and hubergroup has been able to perform very well in this segment, both in offset and liquid inks,” Moller reported.
“Siegwerk saw strong growth in the consumption of UV inks for short-runs, customized applications and high-end packaging which will further drive our business in the ink industry in the region,” Serturini noted. “When it comes to packaging, flexo, gravure solvent-based and offset conventional still represent the largest printing technologies in the LATAM region. Siegwerk sees further development projected in self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, laminated tubes, laminated structures and HD flexible printing processes.
“In addition, the speed of flexible packaging printing presses continues to increase – up to 2,000 fpm – which requires new formulation demands on traditional ink technology,” Serturini added. “Furthermore, we expect a general volume switch from conventional UV to migration optimized UV inks in the printing market for this year. LED UV curing will be one of the growth drivers. Further expansion of LED UV ink applications will enable printers to use these inks for the full range of products. Going forward, digital printing and UV/EB offset printing will also gain market share as it enables manufacturers to react even faster to specific customer requirements.”
“In line with the rest of the world, package is driving growth in Latin America, with emerging countries growing at faster rates,” Pera noted. “For Toyo Ink, the packaging markets in Brazil and Mexico have been the most stable growth markets. Brazil appears to be coming out of recession with production volumes for the printing industry rising after a three-year slump. Riding the wave of a strong US economy, Mexico’s output has achieved moderate growth and is projected to do so in 2018. Urbanization and growing middle-class population have led to the growth of the food industry in Mexico with packaged food products recording high growth.”
Ink World places the region’s ink market at approximately $1 billion annually, led by Brazil and Mexico, and leading ink manufacturers are active throughout Latin America.
Fernando Tavara, president, Sun Chemical Latin America, said that the past year saw growth in the region, but Brazil and Mexco remain concerns.
“Overall, Sun Chemical has seen positive growth in Latin America during the past year, but there is significant turbulence in the region, especially in Brazil and Mexico, which are the two largest markets in Latin America,” Tavara reported. “Although the political uncertainty continues in Brazil, the economy has shown evident signals of recovery. In Mexico, the presidential election, in addition to difficulties arising from the renegotiations of the terms of the NAFTA treaty and delays in investment decisions, have generated a deceleration of the economic activity. The uncertainty in the region also impacted the volatile foreign exchanges in the region.”
Ernesto Sanchez, president of Sanchez SA de CV, the largest ink manufacturer in Mexico and Central America, said that last year and the first months of the present year have been “very interesting” for Mexico.
“Two big issues are influencing the decision makers in our country: the uncertainty surrounding the negotiation of the NAFTA, and the presidential elections,” Sanchez said. “Both have delayed investment not only in the markets we serve, but in the whole economy.
“A big change in our free trade agreement with Canada and the United States could jeopardize the grow of our economy for the coming years, and it could also change the whole picture of the foreign investment in Mexico,” added Sanchez. “On the other hand, the triumph of the left wing Mr. Lopez Obrador in the elections could mean that a deep review of our economy model and the role of the government over it will take place, and it is difficult to know what will come out of it.”
Andrea Serturini, president and head of LATAM region at Siegwerk, reported that during 2017, Siegwerk saw stagnant volume across the South American (LATAM) region.He said that this can be primarily attributed to political and economic instability across the region even though the South American economies already showed a slow but tangible recovery in comparison to last years.
“In addition, the high volatility in many local currencies has also had a negative impact on profitability,” Serturini pointed out. “Siegwerk has seen brand owners looking for more competitive options, and in some cases going as far as moving print jobs to countries with more favorable pricing. Lastly, across LATAM we have seen drastic drops in print media volumes.”
Serturini said that Brazil seems to be recovering, while Mexico and other countries are on the rise.
“For Siegwerk, Brazil is recovering from difficult last years,” he added. “We also see that Mexico, Colombia, Peru and the countries in Central America continue to grow at a steady pace. Across our LATAM region it is Argentina and Brazil which is still experiencing a contraction in business.”
“In recent years, Latin America has been recovering from economic and political crises that hit several countries, with consequences for the printing industry as well,” said Richard Moller, managing director of hubergroup Brazil. “But yes, we did see growth in some countries and segments of our graphic arts industry, with special emphasis on the areas of flexible packaging and carton.”
“We see growth in Paraguay, Colombia, Mexico and Bolivia,” added Moller. “In most other countries we see stability when we look to the overall graphic arts market, but with different variations according to segment, i.e. growth in flexible and offset packaging, including UV curing systems versus a small decrease in heatset and a higher decrease in coldset inks.”
“We are seeing growth, although slight, from Brazil’s publication and commercial print market with production volumes rising after severe recession from 2014 to 2016,” Sergio Pera, director at Toyo Ink Brasil, said. “However, the drop in volume was steep, due in part to the changes in information media and communication methods.
Pera added that Chile, Peru, Columbia have been the targets of converters looking to take advantage of the region’s packaging growth and consumer needs.
“Consumer behavior in these emerging markets continue to change with growing middle class and rising disposable incomes, busier lifestyles, and the demand for a more convenient, healthier living,” Pera noted. “As a result, packaging converters and brand owners are moving in and looking to provide consumer markets with the packaging formats that support new consumer tastes and lifestyles, owing to growing need for convenience and ‘on-the-go’ lifestyles. In line with market trends, Toyo Ink is focusing on developing packaging solutions that help achieve these objectives, specifically smaller packs, extended package shelf life and appeal, packaging which is lighter and more portable.”
The packaging ink side remains the strongest segment for ink manufacturers.
“Packaging grew close to the GDP level of each country in Latin America and we see many opportunities for growth,” Tavara noted. “As our local customers continue becoming more sophisticated, they are seeking added value. As the market leader in Latin America, Sun Chemical is well positioned with unparalleled capabilities to meet the growing demands in the region and can offer a complete package of solutions for one-stop shopping.”
“The packaging industry shows continued growth and hubergroup has been able to perform very well in this segment, both in offset and liquid inks,” Moller reported.
“Siegwerk saw strong growth in the consumption of UV inks for short-runs, customized applications and high-end packaging which will further drive our business in the ink industry in the region,” Serturini noted. “When it comes to packaging, flexo, gravure solvent-based and offset conventional still represent the largest printing technologies in the LATAM region. Siegwerk sees further development projected in self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, laminated tubes, laminated structures and HD flexible printing processes.
“In addition, the speed of flexible packaging printing presses continues to increase – up to 2,000 fpm – which requires new formulation demands on traditional ink technology,” Serturini added. “Furthermore, we expect a general volume switch from conventional UV to migration optimized UV inks in the printing market for this year. LED UV curing will be one of the growth drivers. Further expansion of LED UV ink applications will enable printers to use these inks for the full range of products. Going forward, digital printing and UV/EB offset printing will also gain market share as it enables manufacturers to react even faster to specific customer requirements.”
“In line with the rest of the world, package is driving growth in Latin America, with emerging countries growing at faster rates,” Pera noted. “For Toyo Ink, the packaging markets in Brazil and Mexico have been the most stable growth markets. Brazil appears to be coming out of recession with production volumes for the printing industry rising after a three-year slump. Riding the wave of a strong US economy, Mexico’s output has achieved moderate growth and is projected to do so in 2018. Urbanization and growing middle-class population have led to the growth of the food industry in Mexico with packaged food products recording high growth.”
