Major Products: Conventional sheetfed inks, waterless offset inks, UV curable, water-based flexo inks and coatings, water-based gravure inks, wide format inkjet inks.

Operating Facilities: Headquarters in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Subsidiaries: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America, Van Son Korea and Van Son Ink Shanghai.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: Coming off of a successful drupa 2016, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son had a solid year in 2016, led by its Supreme, The Ultimate and PrimeBIO lines of sheetfed inks, which are designed to be high speed, user-friendly process inks.

PrimeBIO is Van Son’s vegetable oil-based sheetfed ink, using up to 75% renewable resources. It is cobalt-free, and has mineral oil content of less than 1%. The company used its varnish and resin technology to formulate PrimePACK, a low migration ink that is ISEGA-certified. These technologies are helping Van Son grow in the challenging sheetfed offset field.

“Although the commercial sheetfed market is more or less under the pressure depending on the geographical area, the quality and consistency of our leading products (Supreme – Ultimate – PrimeBio) continue to enable our worldwide distributor network to enlarge their presences in local markets,” said Wim van Mastrigt, managing director for Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son. “With the introduction of two new CMYK sets, Robusto & UltiMax, in mid-2017 the Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories further enhances the competitiveness of her distributor network.”

The Robusto Ink Series ensures rapid workflow and efficiency in the print shop with minimum delay. “This newly developed ink quality is based on the latest binder and therefore perfectly suited for the latest generation of offset printing presses,” van Mastrigt noted. “The incorporated technology relating to surface tension ensures high rub resistances and extremely fast processing. Of course the new inks comply with ISO 2846-1 and print in accordance with ISO 12647-2.”

Also new as of mid-2017 is the UltiMax Ink Series, a cobalt-free high performance ink featuring a fast controlled ink-water balance and excellent press stability.

Van Son Liquids – the water-based flexographic ink division – continued to grow in 2016, therewith benefiting from the organically growing water-based flexo and packaging market.

“This growth was not only released in the direct sales in Western Europe but also in other countries in EMEA,” said van Mastrigt. “Additionally, slowly but surely Van Son Liquids is expanding its indirect channel via distributors with dispensing possibilities at and tech support to the local markets.”

Van Son is particularly known for its distribution network, which it supplies from its operations in The Netherlands, Shanghai, Korea and New York. The company is driving growth in Central and Latin America, with Van Son Holland Ink, its US subsidiary, leading these efforts. Growing in these regions continues to be an important emphasis for Van Son.

“During the remainder of 2017, our focus will lay on further strengthening our presence in markets around the world in close cooperation with our existing and newly appointed distributing partners,” van Mastrigt concluded.

Major Products: Conventional sheetfed inks, waterless offset inks, UV curable, water-based flexo inks and coatings, water-based gravure inks, wide format inkjet inks.

Operating Facilities: Headquarters in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Subsidiaries: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America, Van Son Korea and Van Son Ink Shanghai.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son enjoyed growth in 2015, driven by its newest sheetfed inks. If drupa 2016 is any evidence, the company anticipates further growth in 2016 and beyond.

“At drupa, we again had the confirmation that our top line products Supreme, The Ultimate and PrimeBIO are extremely successful in the market and will drive our sales forward in 2016 as they did in 2015,” said Wim van Mastrigt, managing director for Van Son. “Printers confirmed at drupa that they are experiencing with both ink series versatile high speed, user-friendly process inks that work well on straight presses as well as perfecting presses due to fast controlled water pick-up and consistent color control.”

On the packaging side, Van Son is bringing its PrimeBIO technology to low migration inks. Based on the varnish and resin technology used in the vegetable oil-based PrimeBIO process series, Van Son R&D developed PrimePACK, a low migration ink with the same excellent printing characteristics as PrimeBIO. This new low migration ink is ISEGA-certified.

One of Van Son’s strngths is its distribution network, and the company is adding to its ranks.

“The great performance and consistencies of our products, and the continuous changes in the direct and indirect distribution in many countries over the last years, enable us to grow our worldwide distributor network year over year,” van Mastrigt noted. “Van Son’s distribution strategy will always be a constant factor, meaning working with and through independent, professional distributors on a selective or exclusive basis to serve printers worldwide.”

In order to further improve its performance to Van Son distributors in the Caribbean, Central and Latin America, van Mastrigt reported that Van Son’s commercial and technical sales to these areas will be more and more driven out of Van Son Holland Ink Corporation, with offices in New York and a support facility in Chicago.

“Also, our so-called ‘Direct-Thru-Distribution’ strategy in the US is enabling us to grow our market presence in the US together with our distributing partners,” he added. “The combination of commercially strong distributors and the ink expertise of Van Son’s technical consultants is well rewarded by US printers.”

Flexo inks are also a growth area for Van Son. “Van Son Liquids – our water-based flexographic ink division – is benefiting from the same US structure and increasing our market share,” van Mastrigt said.

Major Products: Conventional sheetfed inks, waterless offset inks, UV curable, water-based flexo inks and coatings, water-based gravure inks, wide format inkjet inks.

Operating Facilities: Headquarters in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Subsidiaries: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America, Van Son Korea and Van Son Ink Shanghai.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son had a strong year in 2014, driven by improvements in key printing segments, new products and gains in geographic markets.

“For the Van Son group, 2014 was a good year as we were able to benefit from the first signs of a slightly recovering market,” said managing director Wim van Mastrigt. “The introduction of new products enabled us to further expand our existing customer base and enlarge our worldwide distributor network. Van Son’s unique position, products and strategy makes it possible to enlarge our coverage on the African continent, as well as improve our penetration in the Asia-Pacific region and our presence in the so-called Eurasia territory.”

Van Mastrigt noted that the Ultimate Process Series and PrimeBIO are two new ink series the company introduced that enjoyed excellent market acceptance.

“Two new ink series were the carrier of our activities and growth in 2014-2015,” he said. “The first is the Ultimate Process Series, a versatile high speed process ink series. User friendly, fast controlled water pick up and consistent color control makes it the ideal choice for high speed perfecting presses.”

PrimeBIO is a new universal vegetable oil-based process series from Van Son.

“PrimeBIO uses up to 75% renewable resources, is cobalt-free and contains less then 1% mineral oils, so it is a very good choice for printers producing printed matter for customers sensitive to the use of restricted substances and concerned with the environment and health and safety,” van Mastrigt said. “Our PrimeBIO product has been especially well received in Europe as well as on the North American continent.”

Van Mastrigt said that both ink sets are manufactured in accordance with ISO-2846-1, print in accordance with ISO12647-2 and incorporate the very latest varnish and resin technology. He added that Royal Dutch Van Son’s R&D team is developing new inks to meet growing demand for low migration inks and for the U.S. market.

“During the second part of 2015, that development will result in the launch of a new Process Series especially developed for the U.S. market,” van Mastrigt reported. “We continue to develop PrimeBIO, with ink series for commercial printing, but also for packaging printing with low migration.”

The packaging ink market is the most promising for ink manufacturers, and Van Son Liquids – the water-based flexographic ink division – is enjoying substantial growth through an expanding distributor network and welcoming new direct users in Western Europe. The high-concentrated base colors, in combination with a fairly unique set of diluting varnishes and extenders, enables Van Son to practice export, which is proving to be beneficial to a wide range of flexo printers.

On the digital side, the wide format inkjet portfolio is performing within expectations. “Step by step, we focus on enlarging our presence within the inkjet market and expanding our product portfolio,” van Mastrigt concluded. “The first announcements in that field are anticipated during 2016.”

Major Products: Conventional sheetfed inks, waterless offset inks, UV curable, water-based flexo inks and coatings, water-based gravure inks, wide format inkjet inks.

Operating Facilities: Headquarters in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Subsidiaries: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America, Van Son Korea and Van Son Ink Shanghai.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son is a family-owned ink manufacturer that was founded in 1872. Its core ink business is sheetfed offset, a market that has struggled in recent years, leading the company to develop flexo and inkjet inks.

For the sheetfed ink market, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son introduced its Quickson Supreme sheetfed ink, a vegetable-based low VOC ink that provides excellent press stability, very fast setting, hard drying, low tack and intense colors. On the flexo ink side, Van Son offers its Aqua Base+ water-based flexo inks.

Having seen the impact that digital printing has had on the offset printing field, Van Son has expanded its product line into the inkjet market. In March 2014, Van Son launched its Premium Wide Format Inkjet Inks for HP, Epson, Canon, Mimaki and Roland printers.

Royal Dutch Van Son has developed a global footprint. Outside of its Hilversum, The Netherlands headquarters, Van Son has subsidiaries in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific region: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America in the U.S.; Van Son Ink Shanghai Co., Ltd. in China; and Van Son Korea, Inc. in South Korea.

Major Products: Conventional sheetfed inks, waterless offset inks, UV curable, water-based flexo inks and coatings, water-based gravure inks, wide format inkjet inks.

Operating Facilities: Headquarters in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Subsidiaries: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America, Van Son Korea & Van Son Ink Shanghai.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: Founded in 1872, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son is a family-owned offset, flexo and digital ink manufacturer. The company’s core business is sheetfed offset inks, which has had a difficult time in recent years as the sheetfed printing market has been struggling.

To meet the needs of its customers, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son has expanded its Quickson sheetfed ink portfolio, as well as its Aqua Base+ water-based flexo inks and its inkjet inks. In particular, Wim van Mastrig, Van Son’s managing director, noted that Quickson Supreme, introduced in 2012, is doing particularly well in the marketplace, as well as in the wide format inkjet field.

“We have had good acceptance and success with Quickson Supreme,” said Mr. van Mastrig. “It is a highly universal process ink suitable for straight and for perfecting presses. We are also increasing our focus on marketing and distribution of wide format inkjet inks.”

Outside of its Hilversum, The Netherlands headquarters, Van Son has subsidiaries throughout the world: Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America in the U.S.: Van Son Ink Shanghai Co., Ltd. in China; and Van Son Korea, Inc. in South Korea. Mr. van Mastrig noted that the company is increasing its emphasis on Latin America.

“We are upgrading our logistics and tech sales support for Central and Latin America by enlarging our facility in Miami, FL,” Mr. van Mastrig said.

Major Products: Vs5 series, Quickson Plus, Quickson MultiFresh and Signature offset inks; Aqua Base Plus series water-based flexo inks; Van Son ArtColour and Van Son EasyPrint inkjet inks.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: Founded in 1872, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son is a specialist in offset, flexo and digital inks. The conventional sheetfed market remains the company’s core business, and has faced numerous challenges in recent years, as the adoption of digital printing combined with the global recession has impacted the printing market.

In order to meet these challenges, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son continues to expand its product portfolio. At drupa 2012, the company launched its QuicksonSupreme offset inks, which offer excellent press stability, very fast setting, hard drying, low tack and intense colors. The company also emphasized its inkjet products as well as its Aqua Base+ water-based flexo inks.

Van Son has worked to build a global infrastructure. In addition to its headquarters in The Netherlands, Van Son has subsidiaries in the U.S. (Van Son Holland Ink Corporation of America); Shanghai (Van Son Ink Shanghai Co., Ltd.); and Korea (Van Son Korea, Inc.) In addition, the company utilizes a global network to distribute its inks.

Major Products: Vs5 series, Quickson Plus, Quickson MultiFresh and Signature offset inks; Aqua Base Plus series water-based flexo inks; Van Son ArtColour and Van Son EasyPrint inkjet inks.

Number of Employees: 275 (Ink World estimate)

Comments: The conventional sheetfed ink market has been a difficult one in recent years, as both the recession and the adoption of digital technologies is slicing away at the printing market. Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son is holding its own, as the company works to expand its global presence as well as its product portfolio.

Van Son uses a strong distribution network to sell its inks worldwide. The company is making a push in the Caribbean market, with its U.S. subsidiary, Van Son Holland Ink, opening up a new warehouse in Miami, FL. The company is now looking for distributors for the Caribbean and Central America. In addition, the company has set up facilities in Shanghai and Korea.

In terms of products, Royal Dutch Van Son made gains with its Vs sheetfed ink series as well as its Quickson sheetfed ink lines.