A longtime leader on the energy curable side of the ink industry, David Biro has become a key proponent of UV and EB ink technologies, frequently serving on industry boards and as a speaker at conferences. With that in mind, NAPIM deservedly selected Biro as a recipient of its 2025 Printing Ink Pioneer Award.

Biro first became involved in the ink industry in 1991 with a CSE-XMX, which developed novel inks, before joining Sun Chemical as a group leader in 1994.

“I began my printing ink career in Montreal at a start-up company using toner technology, then joined Sun Chemical’s Energy Curable National Lab in Northlake, IL, where I was exposed to all aspects of printing inks and coatings,” says Biro. “A few years later, I moved to Sun Chemical’s R&D Center in Carlstadt, NJ, where I have spent most of my career.”

In 1997, Biro was promoted to scientist, project team leader energy curable products, a position he held for a decade before moving on to Lonza for eight years. He returned to Sun Chemical in 2015 as director, paste ink and screen and industrial. In addition to his work at Sun Chemical, Biro is a board member for RadTech North America and president of the Metro New York Printing Ink Association.

His leadership in the UV/EB industry is certainly among Biro’s highlights.

“During the early part of my career, I was involved in the development of UV waterless offset inks and UV screen inks to complement the product offering in North America,” Biro recalls. “Thereafter, UV /EB coatings for food packaging became a customer focus, and many patented products and processes were developed. Working with our suppliers, customers and industry trade associations introduced me to countless aspects of printing ink manufacturing.”  

Biro points to family and industry colleagues among his key influences.

“Aside from family, my wife and the twins, there are many people who have influenced my career choices, including printing ink manufacturing industry professionals, suppliers, competitors and customers,” says Biro. “Dr. John Rooney, Russ Schwartz, Dr. Michael Hirthammer, Dr. Juanita Parris, and Henry Miller come to mind, as well as Kacy Schultz and Chuck Brady. There are several dozen more and they know who they are.”

Biro has seen many changes in the ink industry, beginning with the growth of digital printing. 

“I started in digital printing during its infancy,” Biro notes. “In the mid-1980s to mid-2000s, web and sheetfed offset printing dominated the printing ink industry as newspapers, magazines, books and mail flooded our world with tangible information. Packaging was always present and printing on plastic food packaging was the wave. Home computers, the internet and cell phones were novelties.

“During the past five years, however, newsprint, phone books, catalogs and magazines have disappeared,” he adds. “Now, packaging dominates printing ink sales and short run on-demand digital options are commonplace, along with demand for variable data printing (e.g., personalized printing). Brand owners and fast-moving consumer good companies are moving towards sustainable packaging coupled with increased environmental and regulatory concerns around food and consumer safety.

“Industry consolidation and private equity involvement are changing how printing ink manufacturers and their suppliers interact in this new global environment,” Biro points out. “Recent trade policies and the COVID-19 global pandemic impacted raw material sourcing, supply chain and ink production costs. It is a new digital world that still relies heavily on conventional printing techniques and formulations.”

Outside of work, Biro has numerous hobbies. 

“When I’m not at work, you will find me outdoors hiking, fishing or kayaking,” he says. “Otherwise, there is always yardwork and house upkeep. I also enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and other winter sports. Family is important, so Diane and I travel to see our son and his family in Denmark and our daughter on the West Coast.”

Biro says he is honored to receive the Pioneer Award.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the 2025 NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer Award,” Biro concludes. “It is truly humbling to be with so many respected colleagues and friends in the industry. This recognition isn’t just a reflection of my own journey—it’s a tribute to the many people who have shaped, guided and inspired me along the way.”