Major Products: UV and UV LED web, sheetfed, screen, letterpress and dry offset inks; water-based flexo inks; EB sheetfed and flexo inks; UV, UV LED and water-based inkjet inks; UV and EB coatings.

No. of Employees: 1,000 (consolidated).

Comments: A family-owned chemical specialist with headquarters in Eislingen, Germany, Zeller+Gmelin (Z+G) specializes in lubricants, chemicals and printing inks, where it is best known for its energy-curable inks. Z+G manufactures LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems for several markets, including narrow web, commercial printing, rigid plastic, and food packaging applications, and recently added digital inks to its portfolio.

In addition to Eislingen, Zeller+Gmelin has 19 subsidiaries worldwide, including Canada, the Czech Republic, China, France, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, and US. The US subsidiary has five locations.

Zeller+Gmelin notes that it has 20% of its staff in R&D, and this shows with the company’s innovation pipeline. At Print UV, Zeller+Gmelin highlighted its new Z+G LED dual-cure litho ink series, while at Labelexpo Mexico 2025, Zeller+Gmelin showed its NUVAFLEX UV/LED curing ink series. The 16 Series UV/LED ink, which was launched in summer 2025, is a low migration ink suitable for pharmaceutical, indirect food contact and other applications, the company reports.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, screen, letterpress and dry offset inks; water-based flexo inks; EB sheetfed and flexo inks; UV and EB coatings.

No. of Employees: 950 (consolidated).

Comments: Zeller+Gmelin (Z+G) is a family-owned chemical specialist headquartered in Eislingen Germany. Z+G’s key markets are lubricants, chemicals and printing inks, where it is well known for energy-curable inks.

Z+G manufactures LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems for narrow web, commercial printing, rigid plastic, and food packaging applications, and also added digital inks to its portfolio recently.

As for its latest innovation, Z+G introduced the METALCURE U30 series, which is designed for sheetfed printing on painted metal substrates. The balanced formula of MetalCure U30 results in lower layer thicknesses on the board while maintaining a consistently high density, and has identical pigmentation to UVALUX U3. It is free from ITX, BPA, TMPTA, PFAS, PFOA, PTFE and more.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, screen, letterpress and dry offset inks; water-based flexo inks; EB sheetfed and flexo inks; UV and EB coatings.

No. of Employees: 950 (consolidated).

Comments: A family-owned chemical specialist with headquarter in Germany, Zeller+Gmelin (Z+G) specializes in lubricants, chemicals and printing inks, where it is highly regarded for energy-curable inks. Z+G manufactures LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems for a number of markets, including narrow web, commercial printing, rigid plastic, and food packaging applications, and also recently added digital inks to its catalog.

“In summary, 2022 was a turbulent but successful year,” said Andreas Koch, head of Ink Division Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG (Germany). “Sales increased significantly, and we were able to introduce further innovative printing ink products to the market. Zeller+Gmelin completed its portfolio in the field of LED-curable low-migration inks, both for the narrow-web segment and for sheetfed offset commercial and packaging printing.”

The year 2022 was marked by challenging raw material procurement and unpredictable raw material price development.

“This situation posed a significant challenge to the entire organization in ensuring maximum agility to guarantee supply security,” said Koch. “Looking back, we are very pleased to have successfully overcome this crisis and to have remained capable of delivering at all times. On the other hand, the scarcity showed us that we need to avoid excessive dependence on individual raw material suppliers. The shortage of raw materials, coupled with a dynamically increased demand for our radiation-curing printing inks, further exacerbated the situation. Today, we know that part of the increased demand was due to stock building throughout the packaging production chain.”

Koch pointed out that the pressure on customers to save both VOCs and energy in their production can be alleviated through the use of LED-curable ink systems.

“Curing the ink film requires minimal energy input, and no VOCs are released in the process,” said Koch. “Therefore, LED-curable inks make a significant contribution to reducing the carbon footprint. Additionally, Zeller+Gmelin has significantly increased the proportion of renewable raw materials in its printing inks. This is another important step towards improving the biocompatibility of our inks.”

Last year, Z+G successfully introduced a UV inkjet ink into the market for its digital printing ink segment, which solves the adhesion problem on many challenging substrates, such

as polypropylene.

“Users can print directly on the surface without the need for an adhesion promoter, saving time and materials,” said Koch. “An innovative adhesion promoter integrated into the inkjet ink enables excellent adhesion properties on various surfaces.”

In the past year, Zeller+Gmelin invested in state-of-the-art machine technology to continue meeting its highest standards of quality and efficiency. Investments were made in both three-roll mills and bead mill technology. The new machinery allows for precise monitoring and regulation of all key production parameters.

One of the significant highlights was the integration of Z+G’s new subsidiary, Zeller+Gmelin Industries, in the United Arab Emirates, which was completed last year.

“With ZG Industries, the ZG Group gains not only a strong distribution channel in the Middle East, India, and Africa markets but also an additional production site that will supply innovative radiation-curable printing inks to both our own markets and the global ZG Group,” Koch noted. “Furthermore, ZG Industries offers excellent technical service that will sustainably support our growth in the mentioned regions.”

While 2023 has started slowly, Koch sees plenty of reason for optimism for Z+G.

“The first quarter of 2023 showed restrained demand in the global market for printing inks,” said Koch. “The reasons for this are multifaceted, with one contributing factor still appearing to be high inventory levels. Another reason is undoubtedly the cautious consumer behavior due to the current political and economic situation in many regions of the world. However, ZG is confident that with the innovative power of our new products, we will gain new markets and customers, thereby compensating for the weak demand in the existing business.”

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, screen, letterpress and dry offset inks; water-based flexo inks; EB sheetfed and flexo inks; UV and EB coatings.

No. of Employees: 950 (consolidated).

Comments: A family-owned chemical specialist, Zeller+Gmelin (Z+G) specializes in lubricants, chemicals and printing inks. On the inks side, Zeller+Gmelin is best known for energy-curable inks, offering the full range of LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems for narrow web, commercial printing, rigid plastic, and food packaging applications, and is now adding digital inks to its portfolio.

Andreas Koch, head of division printing inks at Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), noted that 2021 was once again a great challenge for Zeller+Gmelin.

“In addition to the restrictions and safety measures of the COVID situation, the continuing shortage of raw materials and the associated raw material price increases kept us very busy,” Koch said. “Fortunately, Zeller+Gmelin qualified alternative raw materials and suppliers at an early stage, so that we were able to deliver products in sufficient quantities and of the highest quality at all times.

“Z+G had a successful year in 2021 and was able to grow in all product segments,” he added. “In particular, we were able to record significant growth rates in the area of the new LED curing ink systems, especially in the area of sheeted fed offset packaging printing.”

In major personnel news, Michael Podd will be joining Zeller+Gmelin Corporation as CEO in July 2022. Podd has been in the ink industry since 1983, including high-ranking positions with BASF Printing Systems and Flint Group.

“This step has been long and well planned within the group management and opens the opportunity to finally install a CEO fully operational in our North American Headquarter in Richmond, VA, which we believe is mandatory to take Zeller+Gmelin Corporation to the next level of growth and success,” said Siegfried Mueller, chairman of the board for Zeller+Gmelin.

In addition, Damon Geer, Zeller+Gmelin Corporation’s EVP, will be retiring after 25 years with the company.

“We have all reasons to thank Damon for successfully leading and developing Zeller+Gmelin Corporation and its affiliates to where the company is today,” said Marcus Ruckstaedter, who will step down from his role as president of Zeller+Gmelin Corporation.

One highlight in 2021 for Z+G was the market launch of its U540 ink series, an LED curing offset ink for sheetfed and web offset applications. Koch pointed out that due to the low energy consumption and the low temperature influence on the substrate, LED technology is becoming increasingly popular.

“Thanks to our many years of experience in radiation-curing ink systems, we can play a leading technological role in LED technology,” Koch said. “We have also been able to establish ourselves further in the digital printing segment. For large-format graphic printing, we have developed a UV inkjet ink that stands out for its excellent adhesion properties without primer on substrates such as polypropylene and glass.

“In the packaging printing segment, we are developing water-based inkjet inks for flexible packaging, rigid plastics and fiber-based substrates,” he added. “Our experience in packaging printing and our in-house migration analysis helps us to be a competent partner for digital printing press manufacturers.”

Meanwhile, on the raw material front, Zeller+Gmelin is facing the same struggles as the rest of the ink industry.

“We are not yet able to perceive any easing of the situation with the supply bottlenecks and the price development on the raw materials side,” said Koch. “Rising energy prices are exacerbating the situation and here, too, procurement is extremely uncertain.”

As for 2022, Koch said the company continues to grow, with potential for further expansion ahead.

“In the first two quarters in 2022, Zeller+Gmelin was able to achieve further significant growth,” Koch reported. “Demand in Germany is stable at a good level, and growth for us comes primarily from the export business.

“We expect business to continue to develop well,” Koch added. “Zeller+Gmelin will launch further innovative ink systems on the market this year. One example is our Y581, an LED low migration flexo ink, which already generated strong demand when it was launched. In addition, the U581 LED Low Migration Offset Ink complements our portfolio. At the end of the year, we will introduce the new generation of a metal decoration offset ink based on the latest raw material developments to metal decoration printers. Based on this innovation push, we expect additional momentum.”

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, screen, letterpress and dry offset inks; water-based flexo inks; EB sheetfed and flexo inks; UV and EB coatings.

No. of Employees: 950 (consolidated).

Comments: A family-owned chemical specialist, Zeller+Gmelin specializes in lubricants, chemicals and printing inks. In terms of printing inks, Zeller+Gmelin is best known for energy-curable inks, with the full gamut from LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems for narrow web, commercial printing, rigid plastic, and food packaging applications, among others.

The company reported that it had an excellent year in 2020, launching new products, including its updated LED-UV-Offset ranges.

“Z+G did well through the year 2020,” said Marcus Ruckstädter, president, Zeller+Gmelin Corp. USA and sales director Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG (Germany). “We have taken all necessary measures to ensure supplying chain to our customers and to protect employees from any COVID-19 impact.”

Zeller+Gmelin’s products can be found in 80 countries; 71% of its inks are exported. The company has subsidiaries in Canada, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the US.

In personnel news, Zeller+Gmelin named Andreas Koch as the new head of its Printing Inks business unit. He will be given full responsibility for the global printing inks business; digital printing is one area that Zeller+Gmelin would like to explore.

“Z+G is entering the digital printing markets with new ranges of ink jet inks, both UV curable and water-based,” said Ruckstädter.

Overall, Z+G sees opportunities for growth ahead.

“Globally, we are seeing an increase in business activity,’ Ruckstädter noted. “We expect the raw material supply situation to remain somewhat volatile, but expect to have a good business year taking the supply chain issues and associated raw material price increases into account.”

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, screen, letterpress and dry offset inks; water-based flexo inks; EB sheetfed and flexo inks; UV and EB coatings.

No. of Employees: 950 (consolidated).

Comments: Zeller+Gmelin, Eislingen, Germany, is a family-owned chemical producer, focusing on lubricants, chemicals and printing inks. On the ink side, Zeller+Gmelin has made its name in energy-curable inks; 71% of its inks produced in Germany are exported.

Zeller+Gmelin has subsidiaries throughout the world, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Poland and Turkey. Its LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems are found in narrow web, commercial printing, rigid plastic and food packaging applications, among others.

Zeller+Gmelin reported that the COVID-19 crisis has had a major impact on the commercial printing markets in particular. To cope with higher raw material costs, Zeller+Gmelin increased its sales prices accordingly and has run a major procurement improvement project, resulting in various cost saving measures.

With an eye on the growing digital printing field, Zeller+Gmelin launched a new business unit for inkjet inks in mid-2019. In personnel news, the company appointed John Vereen as its operations director for Zeller+Gmelin Corp., and is also investing into manufacturing equipment as well as into digitalization of its processes.

To meet demands for UV inks, Zeller+Gmelin’s R&D team has been active in the labs, developing UVAFLEX Y80 Flexo Series for Europe and its next generation 97 series LED/UV-cured sheetfed ink set for the US. It has proven itself to perform and cure well in printing equipment reaching speeds of up to 20,000 iph. Excellent dot reproduction, quick color rebounds, and minimum misting combine to make it both a reliable and cost-effective choice for all paper substrates.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and plastic container inks, EB inks, conventional and UV metal decorating inks; UV LED inks.

No. of Employees: 1,000 (consolidated – Ink World estimate).

Comments: One of the world’s largest energy curable ink specialists, Zeller+Gmelin is a family-owned energy curable ink specialist.  Zeller+Gmelin is headquartered in Eislingen, Germany and has subsidiaries worldwide, including Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the US. Zeller+Gmelin produces UV and EB inks and coatings for commercial printing, packaging, labels and preformed plastic containers, including shrink sleeves, in-mold labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons.

Zeller+Gmelin manufactures a wide range of energy curable inks and coatings, including LED UV, EB, UV and H-UV ink systems. With an eye on food packaging, Zeller+Gmelin launched its low odor, low migration Uvaflex-FCM-Y81 UV flexo ink series, which eliminates BPA-containing raw materials and meets the requirements of the Nestlé Guidance Note. The company’s ChromaSync 20:20 Color Management System allows printers to manage their color requirements.

In September 2018, Zeller+Gmelin announced two key hires. Eberhard Klenner was named the new head of the narrow web division, while Tibor Küstermann was added to strengthen technical service for metal deco inks.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and plastic container inks, EB inks, conventional and UV metal decorating inks; UV LED inks.

Number of Employees: 985 (consolidated).

Comments: Zeller+Gmelin, Eislingen, Germany, is a family-owned energy curable ink specialist which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016. Zeller+Gmelin has subsidiaries globally, with positions in Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and the US.

The UV/EB market continues to expand worldwide, and Zeller+Gmelin is a leader in developing and manufacturing UV and EB inks for and varnishes for packaging, labels, commercial printing and preformed plastic container printing.

In the past year, Zeller+Gmelin has focused on developing their latest UV-curable ink and coatings systems for food packaging applications (FCM). At Labelexpo Europe 2017, Zeller+Gmelin Germany introduced its latest Yuraflex Y81 FCM ink series. At the same time, regulatory events led to increase activity for further enhancements of Zeller+Gmelin’s UV and EB curable ink and coatings product ranges.

Zeller+Gmelin has given itself a renewed strategic market approach under the title Market Focus Plus. Zeller+Gmelin has redefined its existing strategy for focusing on energy curable inks and varnishes on an international level. Developing and marketing products and services for the narrow web, commercial print, metal deco and rigid plastic packaging markets with an added value for existing and potential customers will remain in the focus and Zeller+Gmelin is continuing to strengthen its efforts there, too.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and plastic container inks, EB inks, conventional and UV metal decorating inks; UV LED inks.

No. of Employees: 985 (consolidated).

Comments: Zeller+Gmelin, Eislingen, Germany, is a family-owned energy curable ink specialist which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016. Zeller+Gmelin has subsidiaries globally, with positions in Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the US.

The UV/EB market continues to expand worldwide, and Zeller+Gmelin is growing been a leader in developing and manufacturing UV and EB inks for and varnishes for packaging, labels, commercial printing and preformed plastic container printing.

In the past year Zeller+Gmelin saw more product consolidation internally focusing on a global approach. In addition, UV-LED applications are highlights as well as the increasing demand of low migration inks for packaging. Zeller+Gmelin Printing Inks highlighted its latest UV ink solutions at the 2017 FTA Forum and INFO*FLEX including low odor/low migration requirements for flexible packaging, highly conformable inks and coatings for shrink sleeves, and stable, high-speed formulations for UV LED curing applications.

The company is working closely with its customers to meet the regulatory needs for packaging.

“We try to be pro-active, adopting regulatory requirements at an early stage,” said Marcus Ruckstädter, sales director for Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG. “We see an increasing necessity of global coordination internally in order to cope with this target. Increasing demands on regulatory affairs will keep us on our toes.”

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and plastic container inks, EB inks, conventional and UV metal decorating inks.

Number of Employees: 900 (consolidated).

Comments: Zeller+Gmelin, Eislingen, Germany, is a family-owned energy curable ink specialist, with more than 40 years of leadership in the field of UV and EB inks for and varnishes for packaging, labels, commercial printing and preformed plastic container printing. The UV/EB market continues to expand worldwide, and Zeller+Gmelin is growing along with the technology.

Zeller+Gmelin has subsidiaries globally, with positions in Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the US.

Best known for its lubricants, inks and chemistry businesses, Zeller+Gmelin is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. The company will hold a two-day celebration from Sept. 22-24,with an Open Day on Sept. 24.

“We are proud to be able to look back on a successful 150-year history as one of the few independent companies,” said Siegfried Müller, managing director and director of marketing and sales at Zeller+Gmelin.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and plastic container inks, EB inks, conventional and UV metal decorating inks.

Comments: Energy curing is one the strongest growth areas for printing, and Zeller+Gmelin GmbH is ideally positioned in this market. For more than 40 years, Zeller+Gmelin GmbH has specialized in UV and EB inks and varnishes for packaging, labels, commercial printing and preformed plastic container printing. Meanwhile Zeller Gmelin is the global market leader for inks for plastic container printing.

Headquartered in Eislingen, Germany, Zeller+Gmelin is positioned throughout the globe, with subsidiaries in Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the U.S., where the company has nine branches in eight states, with two in California. In the U.S., Zeller+Gmelin Printing Inks participated in the 2014 Flexpack Tech Tour, which brought together flexography industry leaders, including Avery Dennison and DuPont, for a series of seminars.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and waterless offset inks; UV flexo and letterpress narrow web inks; UV rotary screen inks; UV inks for pre-formed plastic containers; UV inks for primographic printing of narrow web in-line cartons and labels; metal decorating inks; EB and LED inks; and a range of security inks for document authentication.

Number of Employees: Approximately 375 in printing inks.

Comments: Headquartered in Eislingen, Germany, Zeller+Gmelin GmbH is a specialist in UV inks and varnishes for packaging, labels and commercial printing, among other markets. Zeller+Gmelin has a worldwide footprint, with operations in 10 countries, including subsidiaries in Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Mexico, The Netherlands, Turkey, UK and U.S.

One recent area of interest for Zeller+Gmelin is low migration UV inks for food packaging. As a leader in direct container printing for tubes and cups, Zeller+Gmelin has developed its UVACURID T81 Ink Series, a low-migration ink series for tube printing. It offers excellent ink transfer, high gloss and color strength and gloss and good adhesion.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and waterless offset inks; UV flexo and letterpress narrow web inks; UV rotary screen inks; UV inks for pre-formed plastic containers; UV inks for primographic printing of narrow web in-line cartons and labels; metal decorating inks; EB and LED inks; and a range of security inks for document authentication.

Number of Employees: Approximately 375 in printing inks.

Comments: A UV ink and varnish specialist, Zeller+Gmelin GmbH (ZG) continues to expand in the UV market, developing new products, including low migration UV inks for food packaging.

With headquarters in Eislingen, Germany, ZG has a global presence, with subsidiaries in Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Mexico, The Netherlands, Turkey, UK and U.S.

Food packaging is an important topic in the ink industry, and ZG is well prepared on this issue. The company’s R&D team has developed leading-edge low migration ink systems, most recently launching its Uvacurid T81 Ink Series, a low-migration ink series for tube printing. It offers excellent ink transfer, high color strength and gloss and good adhesion, and is suitable for over-varnishing.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and waterless offset inks; UV flexo and letterpress narrow web inks; UV rotary screen inks; UV inks for pre-formed plastic containers; UV inks for primographic printing of narrow web in-line cartons and labels; metal decorating inks; EB and LED inks; and a range of security inks for document authentication.

Number of Employees: Approximately 375 in printing inks.

Comments: Zeller+Gmelin GmbH (ZG), an Eislingen, Germany-based specialist in UV inks and varnishes, continues to thrive in the growing UV market, as the company develops new products, including low migration UV inks for food packaging.

R&D is an important emphasis at Zeller+Gmelin, and the company recently launched its Nuvaflex Series of UV flexo inks. Nuvaflex inks are silicone- and wax-free, and rival offset quality by enabling fine line screens and reverses to be printed at low BCM counts, while minimizing film weight. The series also offers the ability to adhere to difficult film, as well as low viscosity and free flow rheology, low odor and extractable components, varnish-like gloss, minimal to no plate swelling and speeds of more than 700 feet per minute.

In an important personnel move, Dr. Uwe Dreyer joined Zeller+Gmelin as the head of its printing inks division, Germany.

Major Products: UV web, sheetfed, narrow web label and waterless offset inks; UV flexo and letterpress narrow web inks; UV rotary screen inks; UV inks for pre-formed plastic containers; UV inks for primographic printing of narrow web in-line cartons and labels; metal decorating inks; EB and LED inks; and a range of security inks for document authentication.

Number of Employees: Approximately 375 in printing inks.

Comments: The UV market remains a bright spot in graphic arts, and Zeller+Gmelin GmbH (ZG), an Eislingen, Germany-based specialist in UV inks and varnishes, is continuing to grow in this market.

Marcus Ruckstaedter, who was recently named managing director, Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd., noted that raw materials are a major concern for ZG and the entire ink industry.

“We have been hit with tremendous and ongoing price increases in nearly all raw material groups, like pigments, acrylate binders, additives, etc., since the middle of 2010,” Mr. Ruckstaedter said. “Some raw materials have not only increased in price but are short in supply. This has driven companies to not only search for alternative sources, but in some cases, look for alternative materials. Currently there is not noticeable improvement regarding raw materials, and the trend leads us to believe it could get worse before it gets better.”

Zeller+Gmelin is enjoying growth in the UV market. Mr. Ruckstaedter noted that Zeller+Gmelin added a special assembly line in Germany, a new subsidiary in Mexico and is looking for further opportunities to add subsidiaries globally. With an eye on the food packaging market, Zeller+Gmelin is meeting the need for low migration inks.

“In food packaging, we are seeing an increasing demand for low migration products,” Mr. Ruckstaedter said. “Therefore, we have established our own analytical center and we are building a fit-to-purpose extension for low migration ink products.”

In the U.S., Zeller+Gmelin USA moved into a new 85,000 square foot, state-of-the-art building in Henrico County, VA. Occupancy of the building is expected to occur within the first quarter of 2011. The new location will combine its corporate offices, manufacturing and warehouse distribution center. The property is large enough for future expansions. Also in the U.S., Les Watkins has joined the company as its technical director.