Global Ink Industry Leaders Face New Challenges

The changing nature of the printing industry remained the focus in 2014. Generally speaking, the packaging, inkjet and UV printing segments continue to grow globally, while publication and commercial printing markets are sluggish at best.  

Global markets continue to shift, too. The Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Eastern European markets are expanding, while North America and Europe are more mature markets. In contrast, the raw material business, which has had significant supply and cost issues in recent years, remained stable for the most part, although at a higher level that ever before.

Major currency fluctuations were the largest change this year for ink manufacturers. Consider this: On Jan. 1, 2014, the euro was worth $1.38, and the yen was $0.00952; by Jan. 1, 2015, the euro had declined to $1.21 (it dropped further to $1.12 as of July 1, 2015, a 19% drop from the beginning of 2014). Meanwhile, the yen dropped to $0.00836 ($0.00817 as of July 1, 2015, a 14% decline). That dramatically affects purchasing power for raw materials, which then impacts margins if ink manufacturers cannot pass these changes along to printers.

There are many challenges ahead for the printing ink industry, and as our Top International Ink Companies Report shows, companies are experimenting in an effort to expand their sales. Whether it is through developing products for new printing segments, adding new operations in growing geographical markets or launching new products, ink manufacturers create new opportunities for growth. These changes will ultimately be the key to their success in the coming years.

The Top International Ink Companies (Ink and Graphic Arts Sales)

1	DIC/Sun Chemical	$3.47B
2	Flint Group	$2.90B
3	Toyo Ink	$1.41B
4	Sakata INX	$1.30B
5	Siegwerk Group	$1.1B
6	Huber Group	$1.02B
7	T&K Toka	$405M
8	SICPA	$400M*
8	Tokyo Printing Ink	$400M
10	Fujifilm North America	$375M*
11	ALTANA AG	$300M*
12	Dainichiseika Color	$246M
13	Yip’s Chemical Holdings	$207M
14	Epple Druckfarben	$195M
15	Wikoff Color	$175M*
16	Royal Dutch Van Son	$130M*
17	Sanchez SA de CV	$126M
18	Xinxiang Wende Xiangchuan	$100M*
18	Zeller+Gmelin	$100M*
20	Letong Chemical	$95M*
21	Daihan Ink	$87M
22	DYO Printing Inks	$55M*
23	Chimigraf Iberca	$50M
24	RUCO Druckfarben	$47M

* Ink World estimate