INK INDUSTRY
The ink industry is one of the most demanding consumers of raw materials in the industrial arena. Increased press speeds, shifting VOC requirements, and industry consolidations have combined to put continually greater pressure on raw material suppliers to this market.
The Western U.S. ink industry is a microcosm of the North American market. All of the major national and multi-national ink companies are represented, along with strong local and regional players in both the paste ink and fluid ink segments. In addition, end-use customers from publishing to packaging, and from corrugated to cosmetics are well represented, forming a very diverse marketplace. The West Coast industry also tends to regenerate itself with start up ink companies forming almost as fast as the depletion caused by industry consolidation.
The trends in raw material introduction into the West Coast graphic arts market are driven by value, defined as a balance of speed, performance, and cost. For this reason the balance between water and solvent in the fluid ink segment has shifted back and forth, and UV continues to grow rapidly in both the paste and fluid segments.
Highlighted suppliers:
