Sean Milmo, European Editor08.01.17
The European supply chain for printing ink pigments is currently going through a transition period, which has raised hopes for greater stability in prices and more secure availability of products. But these expectations may turn out to be overly optimistic.
There is currently less reliance on imports. At the upper end of the market, there are larger quantities of pigments being made by European-based producers, although these are becoming more concentrated as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
However, for the moment, there is little evidence that these changes will be able to eliminate the usual problems of volatile prices and frequent shortages of certain organic pigments.
The biggest recent fluctuations in prices has been with titanium dioxide (TiO2), which after weakening for a while, began to rise sharply last year and looks likely to continue to increase for much of the rest of 2017.
Uncertaint
There is currently less reliance on imports. At the upper end of the market, there are larger quantities of pigments being made by European-based producers, although these are becoming more concentrated as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
However, for the moment, there is little evidence that these changes will be able to eliminate the usual problems of volatile prices and frequent shortages of certain organic pigments.
The biggest recent fluctuations in prices has been with titanium dioxide (TiO2), which after weakening for a while, began to rise sharply last year and looks likely to continue to increase for much of the rest of 2017.
Uncertaint
Continue reading this story and get 24/7 access to Covering the Printing Inks, Coatings and Allied Industries - Ink World for FREE
Ink World magazine has tracked the growth of the ink industry and its allied industries through years of changes, technology, evolution, consolidation and market development. No other magazine has been around for as long or covered as much of the global printing ink business. This website is dedicated to providing in-depth industry coverage and late-breaking news.
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONAlready a subscriber? Login
Related Knowledge Center
