As we head into 2023, we are seeing a changing post-pandemic world. Many of the challenges that have been facing industry have been overcome; supply chains seem to be stabilizing for the most part, and business seems to be coming back to a more normal state.

In particular, ink manufacturers and suppliers alike are saying they are seeing good signs in their respective segments. On the ink side, digital printing continues to be a good growth market; in “The Inkjet Ink Market in 2023,” which begins on page 17, industry leaders point to packaging, textiles and other markets as areas of growth. They see a bright future ahead for inkjet printing.

Likewise, in speaking with pigment and equipment industry leaders, they, too, are reporting some good news. In “The Pigment Market Continues to Grow in 2023,” starting on page 20, and “The 2023 Equipment Report,” beginning on page 26, executives I spoke with say that business is generally doing well.

However, there are obstacles that need to be overcome. In some cases, it brings opportunities: I spoke with some key raw material suppliers for “Sustainability and Raw Materials,” which begins on page 22, and they say that interest in sustainability is constantly growing, and that is driving new innovations and new possibilities.

Regulatory matters continue to be a challenge for industry though, particularly in the US, where the federal government is expanding the scope of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In “TSCA and the Ink Industry,” which starts on page 24, officials point out that decisions on substances are taking a lot longer than initially planned, and higher fees are being implemented on industry. The concern is this could lead to a decline in innovation. For ink industry executives and suppliers alike, keeping up with the changing regulatory landscape is critical going forward.

David Savastano
Ink World Editor
dsavastano@rodmanmedia.com