Asia-Pacific is the largest market for printing ink, with Ink World estimating sales at more than $6.5 billion annually in the region. The region is also a significant producer of the key raw materials that are used for formulating inks. For ink manufacturers, raw material cost and availability are having an impact globally. It is also taking its toll in the Asia-Pacific market. Masuyoshi Iwata, Printing Ink Products Division in DIC HQ, noted that titanium dioxide and photoinitiators are areas of concern for ink producers. “Tight supply availability for titanium dioxide (TiO2) due to a force majeure has had an impact on the price and supply ability of white ink,” said Iwata. “Photoinitiators for UV inks are also in tight supply. There is also a general trend of raw material price increases, which has, in turn, led to ink price increases.” Yuichi Kataura, International Operations Division’s GM, executive officer at Sakata INX, and Hirofumi Oza