Sustainability, Raw Materials Are Key Topics for the Ink Industry

This is an unusual time for the ink industry. Much of what we have seen in recent years – declining and growing markets, raw material concerns, more regulatory mandates – are continuing to be important topics, although, in important ways, they have changed as well.

In speaking with industry leaders for the 2020 North American Top 20 Report, these issues remain important, but in many ways, they have also changed. The market changes are much the same. The publication and commercial markets continue their relative decline, while packaging and digital inks continue to grow.

However, there are significant changes in raw materials, largely due to the uncertain impact of the coronavirus, which is tragically impacting countless thousands of people. As I write this, the American Coatings Show was just postponed, and FESPA was postponed earlier this month. Ink companies are trying to determine the ramifications of the coronavirus on their supply chain, as shipments from China are likely to be affected.   

Regulatory issues continue to be of significant interest to the ink industry. However, there is a sense of opportunity now, rather than a sense of concern. Ink industry leaders throughout the world see the interest in sustainability as good for the environment as well as for business, and are working to bring products to market that are better in the areas of renewable content, recyclability and compostability.

There are plenty of changes ahead for the printing ink industry, both in the near and long term, and ink companies are keeping an eye on these topics as they make plans for the future.  

Company	North American Ink Sales (in millions)	Global Ink Sales (Parent) (in millions)	Last Year
1. Sun Chemical	$1,600*	$3,500 (Sun Chemical)**	1
2. Flint Group	$1,200*	$2,200 (Flint Group)	2
3. INX International	$443	$1,375 (Sakata INX)	3
4. CR/T	$250*		4
5. Siegwerk	$220	$1,116 (Siegwerk Group)	5
6. Wikoff Color	$200*		6
7. DuPont Ink Jet	$175*		7
8. EFI, Inc.	$150*		8
9. Hubergroup	$130	$890 (Huber Group)	9
10. Toyo Ink America	$125	$1,370 (Toyo Ink)	10
11. Fujifilm North America, GSD	$120	$400* (Fujifilm)	11
12. Sanchez SA de CV	$104		12
13. HP	$80*		NA
14. Nazdar	$75*		13
15. Sensient Technologies	$70*		14
16. Central Ink	$62		15
17. SICPA Securink	$60*	$375* (SICPA Group)	16
18. Van Son/T&K Toka	$55*	$450* (T&K Toka)	17
19. Ink Systems	$50		18
19. International Paper	$50*		18
* Ink World estimate
** Parent company DIC Corporation has global sales of $7.5 billion