David Savastano, Editor11.14.19
Ink industry executives reported that they enjoyed a solid year in 2019 and see potential ahead in 2020. Moving forward, ink industry executives are preparing for growth while navigating the challenges they face.
Sustainability and the Circular Economy are critical to the world we live in, and ink industry leaders say they are looking forward to expanding their efforts in these areas.
“In 2020, hubergroup will continue its commitment to driving sustainability in the printing ink sector,” Heiner Klokkers, chairman of hubergroup’s board, observed. “We will expand our activities in conventional and UV sheetfed as well as in flexible packaging and the required raw materials for these product categories.”
“We expect packaging printing to gain further momentum in 2020,” Siegwerk CEO Herbert Forker noted. “We plan another year of growth by concretely supporting the needs of the value chain for new and increasingly sustainable technologies. The growing focus of printers and brand owners on sustainable packaging solutions will drive the development activities in all ink technologies in line with the general market demand for sustainable solutions.
“Meeting the Circular Economy requirements will be the driving key trend across the packaging value chain. With an increase in industry standards, especially with regards to consumer and employee safety, the demand for low migration solutions will also further increase worldwide,” he added. “Furthermore, digital printing will gain market share as it enables manufacturers to react even faster to specific customer demands. We will see the continued development of digital platforms and digitalization tools streamlining processes and supporting collaborations.”
Geoff Peters, president and CEO of Wikoff Color, sees packaging and energy curing as key markets going forward.
“At Wikoff Color, we are forecasting for growth, especially in the label, flexible packaging and digital markets and the product lines developed for those customers,” Peters reported. “We anticipate our energy-cure products and photopolymer plate technologies to have a strong growth year and expect to see an increase in our customer base in 2020.”
“We see some volatility in the global economic system, mainly in terms of global growth forecasts. However, there are still many opportunities within the packaging and ink markets for 2020 and beyond,” said Doug Aldred, Flint Group president packaging inks.
Felipe Mellado, chief marketing officer, Sun Chemical, said that Sun Chemical is ready to take on the ongoing challenging market conditions it is facing right now.
“Our investments to quality, service and innovation will be a major difference-maker in helping customers succeed,” he added. “We will continue to invest heavily in R&D so that the newest groundbreaking solutions will help customers operate more efficiently and be compliant with the strictest regulations in the market. It is our commitment to being known as the company that is truly a partner with its customers, especially during difficult market conditions. We feel these things position Sun Chemical well for the next year and beyond.”
“We are expecting the same continued growth as in prior years,” said John Hrdlick, president and CEO of INX International Ink Co. “At the same time, we must continue to work hard to manage our costs as we know the competition will continue to increase. That is an easy answer and very cliché, but it has become as difficult as ever to grow our business and achieve a reasonable return.”
“Global economic growth has been slowing in 2019 compounded by the US-China trade war and other trade tensions. In Japan, a sense of stagnation is also growing, particularly with exports, which continue to put downward pressure on domestic growth. Global growth looks to remain sluggish in 2020 as uncertainty over trade disputes still looms large,” said Shintaro Yamaoka, president of Toyo Ink Co., Ltd. “In spite of an ongoing harsh business environment, the Group sees reasons to be optimistic in 2020 as we pursue opportunities to enhance competitiveness and grow our business. Packaging continues to be a bright spot, driven by fast-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, in particular for flexible plastic packaging, and metal and PET bottles.
“In the food packaging arena, where global awareness about plastic waste and the importance of a circular economy is rising, we are seeing greater interest from our customers in mono-layer and mono-material formats in flexible packaging design,” added Yamaoka. “The Toyo Ink Group is continually working to develop sustainable solutions that will help our customers reduce the environmental impact of their operations. In response to the increased demand, the Toyo Ink Group is investing in boosting inkjet ink production overseas and focusing on digital solution development for the package printing market.
“In 2020, the Toyo Ink Group will focus on the development of core businesses in the growing sectors of packaging, medical/healthcare, mobility, IoT, energy and natural materials.,” Yamaoka concluded. “Specifically, we will continuously launch new eco-friendly products using raw materials derived from natural bio-renewable sources and promote the improved performance and sales expansion of gravure inks and energy-curable flexo inks overseas. In addition, we will further enhance UV inks that contribute to energy savings and boost inkjet ink production to meet the increased demand for digital solutions.”
Sustainability and the Circular Economy are critical to the world we live in, and ink industry leaders say they are looking forward to expanding their efforts in these areas.
“In 2020, hubergroup will continue its commitment to driving sustainability in the printing ink sector,” Heiner Klokkers, chairman of hubergroup’s board, observed. “We will expand our activities in conventional and UV sheetfed as well as in flexible packaging and the required raw materials for these product categories.”
“We expect packaging printing to gain further momentum in 2020,” Siegwerk CEO Herbert Forker noted. “We plan another year of growth by concretely supporting the needs of the value chain for new and increasingly sustainable technologies. The growing focus of printers and brand owners on sustainable packaging solutions will drive the development activities in all ink technologies in line with the general market demand for sustainable solutions.
“Meeting the Circular Economy requirements will be the driving key trend across the packaging value chain. With an increase in industry standards, especially with regards to consumer and employee safety, the demand for low migration solutions will also further increase worldwide,” he added. “Furthermore, digital printing will gain market share as it enables manufacturers to react even faster to specific customer demands. We will see the continued development of digital platforms and digitalization tools streamlining processes and supporting collaborations.”
Geoff Peters, president and CEO of Wikoff Color, sees packaging and energy curing as key markets going forward.
“At Wikoff Color, we are forecasting for growth, especially in the label, flexible packaging and digital markets and the product lines developed for those customers,” Peters reported. “We anticipate our energy-cure products and photopolymer plate technologies to have a strong growth year and expect to see an increase in our customer base in 2020.”
“We see some volatility in the global economic system, mainly in terms of global growth forecasts. However, there are still many opportunities within the packaging and ink markets for 2020 and beyond,” said Doug Aldred, Flint Group president packaging inks.
Felipe Mellado, chief marketing officer, Sun Chemical, said that Sun Chemical is ready to take on the ongoing challenging market conditions it is facing right now.
“Our investments to quality, service and innovation will be a major difference-maker in helping customers succeed,” he added. “We will continue to invest heavily in R&D so that the newest groundbreaking solutions will help customers operate more efficiently and be compliant with the strictest regulations in the market. It is our commitment to being known as the company that is truly a partner with its customers, especially during difficult market conditions. We feel these things position Sun Chemical well for the next year and beyond.”
“We are expecting the same continued growth as in prior years,” said John Hrdlick, president and CEO of INX International Ink Co. “At the same time, we must continue to work hard to manage our costs as we know the competition will continue to increase. That is an easy answer and very cliché, but it has become as difficult as ever to grow our business and achieve a reasonable return.”
“Global economic growth has been slowing in 2019 compounded by the US-China trade war and other trade tensions. In Japan, a sense of stagnation is also growing, particularly with exports, which continue to put downward pressure on domestic growth. Global growth looks to remain sluggish in 2020 as uncertainty over trade disputes still looms large,” said Shintaro Yamaoka, president of Toyo Ink Co., Ltd. “In spite of an ongoing harsh business environment, the Group sees reasons to be optimistic in 2020 as we pursue opportunities to enhance competitiveness and grow our business. Packaging continues to be a bright spot, driven by fast-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, in particular for flexible plastic packaging, and metal and PET bottles.
“In the food packaging arena, where global awareness about plastic waste and the importance of a circular economy is rising, we are seeing greater interest from our customers in mono-layer and mono-material formats in flexible packaging design,” added Yamaoka. “The Toyo Ink Group is continually working to develop sustainable solutions that will help our customers reduce the environmental impact of their operations. In response to the increased demand, the Toyo Ink Group is investing in boosting inkjet ink production overseas and focusing on digital solution development for the package printing market.
“In 2020, the Toyo Ink Group will focus on the development of core businesses in the growing sectors of packaging, medical/healthcare, mobility, IoT, energy and natural materials.,” Yamaoka concluded. “Specifically, we will continuously launch new eco-friendly products using raw materials derived from natural bio-renewable sources and promote the improved performance and sales expansion of gravure inks and energy-curable flexo inks overseas. In addition, we will further enhance UV inks that contribute to energy savings and boost inkjet ink production to meet the increased demand for digital solutions.”
