David Savastano, Editor07.27.20
As we pass the halfway point of 2020, the world is a very different place from when the year began. The tragic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world so much. In the Top International Ink Companies Report, industry executives detail what they are seeing now, and what they anticipate in the coming months. Not surprisingly, packaging and digital printing continue to expand.
Interest in digital printing of clothing and other textiles is a bright spot for printers and ink companies. In a major acquisition, DIC and Sun Chemical acquired Sensient Imaging Technologies from Sensient in June. Sensient Imaging was the 15th largest North American ink company, according to our Top 20 Report in the March/April 2020 issue, with estimated sales of $70 million annually. Sensient Imaging specializes in a range of markets, including textile inks, which will add to Sun Chemical’s portfolio.
“Digital Textile Printing Segment Sees Rapid Growth,” showcases how digital ink manufacturers see the opportunities in the textile market. Analysts from Grand View Research say the global printed textiles market is more than $140 billion, and ink industry executives estimate that 5% to 7% of that is printed digitally. While that isn’t a high percentage, it is thought to have doubled in the last five years, and all signs point to continued growth.
The interest in fast fashion and the ability to produce personalized products play right to digital printing’s strengths. Add to that the growing interest in nearshoring, the environmental benefits of inkjet vs. the water usage from traditional textile printing, and the ability to reduce costs as well as inventory, and one sees a compelling case for digital printing to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Also in this issue, Ink World presents our 22nd annual Technical Profiles. As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains are being impacted. Availability and cost of important ingredients are a huge concern. Technical Profiles can help ink manufacturers determine which suppliers to partner with to continue their success into the future.
Interest in digital printing of clothing and other textiles is a bright spot for printers and ink companies. In a major acquisition, DIC and Sun Chemical acquired Sensient Imaging Technologies from Sensient in June. Sensient Imaging was the 15th largest North American ink company, according to our Top 20 Report in the March/April 2020 issue, with estimated sales of $70 million annually. Sensient Imaging specializes in a range of markets, including textile inks, which will add to Sun Chemical’s portfolio.
“Digital Textile Printing Segment Sees Rapid Growth,” showcases how digital ink manufacturers see the opportunities in the textile market. Analysts from Grand View Research say the global printed textiles market is more than $140 billion, and ink industry executives estimate that 5% to 7% of that is printed digitally. While that isn’t a high percentage, it is thought to have doubled in the last five years, and all signs point to continued growth.
The interest in fast fashion and the ability to produce personalized products play right to digital printing’s strengths. Add to that the growing interest in nearshoring, the environmental benefits of inkjet vs. the water usage from traditional textile printing, and the ability to reduce costs as well as inventory, and one sees a compelling case for digital printing to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Also in this issue, Ink World presents our 22nd annual Technical Profiles. As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains are being impacted. Availability and cost of important ingredients are a huge concern. Technical Profiles can help ink manufacturers determine which suppliers to partner with to continue their success into the future.