Avient has become a major force in the decorative apparel segment of screenprinting ink, adding well respected brands including Wilflex, Union Ink, QCM and Rutland in recent years.

On July 1, 2021, Avient announced another major addition, acquiring Magna Colours Ltd., a UK-based leader in sustainable, water-based inks technology for the textile screenprinting. Avinet paid $48 million for the company, which is headquartered in Barnsley, UK.

"Magna represents an important investment in sustainable solutions, as brand owners seek alternatives to legacy technologies," said Robert M. Patterson, chairman, president and CEO, Avient Corporation, said in announcing the acquisition. "We expect our collective inks portfolio will grow substantially as the threat of COVID subsides, people can safely attend sporting and other live events in person, and travel increases."

“While growing Magna, I had a goal to revolutionize the industry and promote sustainable options – our proven technology accomplishes that,” added Tom Abbey, chairman of Magna. “With Avient, I have found a leader aligned with our sustainability values to take us to the next level and truly globalize the business.”

Founded in 1978, Magna Colours is best known for its water-based screen ink technology, which offers sustainability benefits without compromising performance. Tito Echiburu, GM, Avient Specialty Inks, said that the addition of Magna Colours offers new opportunities for Aveint.

“The Magna Colours offering perfectly complements the Avient Specialty Inks plastisol, water-based, silicone and non-PVC plastisol ink portfolio,” said Echiburu. “All products are manufactured and certified to strict global compliance standards, ensuring customers receive high quality inks with material transparency.

“Both businesses have global distribution networks, so this partnership further strengthens our ability to service customers worldwide,” Echiburu added. “Both groups also prioritize global training and technical support for distributors and end-users.”

Echiburu noted that Avient’s customers will benefit from a deep, shared knowledge of screen printing inks, technologies, application techniques and a wide distribution network.

“Together, our teams are well positioned to provide screen printing distributors and printers comprehensive, world-class screen printing inks and related technological services,” he added.

Avient believes that the screenprinting market will enjoy growth in the coming years.

“We anticipate growth as the threat of COVID begins to subside, but beyond that initial spike, we believe demand for screen printing inks will continue to increase,” said Echiburu. “Rising use of digital hybrid and transfer technology, coupled with the steady need for traditional plastisol, water-based, silicone and non-PVC inks, position the industry for success.”

Echiburu obsterved that Magna Colours’s emphasis on sustainability fits well with Avient.

“Sustainability and innovation are vital to Avient, and the acquisition of Magna Colours reflects our commitment to both,” he reported. “By 2030, we hope to achieve success in seven commitments, including delivering cumulative annual revenue growth from our Sustainable Solutions portfolio of 8-12%, with 2020 as a baseline.

“Magna Colours has pioneered development of next-generation water-based ink technology that provides innovative and high-performance solutions,” Echiburu concluded. “The integration of the Magna Colours expertise and alignment of products help to ensure we continue this focus as a combined business.”