The flexo printing market continues to grow. In recent years, particularly strong growth has been achieved with solvent-based and UV UV flexo inks.
For ink manufacturers, flexo printing has been one of the great success stories of recent years. Sales of flexo inks have almost doubled since 1990. According to statistics from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM), sales in the United States reach US$1 billion. "Ink World" estimates that the global flexo market will reach $2.5 billion in sales.
In the United States, the flexographic industry itself has become a major growth point, especially in flexible packaging, which has grown into a $21 billion industry. For ink makers, the development of products for use in films and aluminum foils meant the introduction of new solvent-based inks, whose sales have grown rapidly. UV flexo inks do develop rapidly.
New technologies continue to drive the growth of flexographic printing, and all indications are that flexo printing may continue to expand its market share in the coming years.
Industry statistics show that the printing business continued to recover in 2004, while flexo printing is also growing. Chris Morrissey, vice president of marketing, Sun Chemical Markets, said: “In North American packaging, flexo printing continues to be favored with high printing quality and cost reduction, especially in short-run business.†Other major ink companies also enjoyed similar growth that year. Dan McDowell, president of CCI, said: "Through 2004, we saw the flexo and packaging market continue to be strong."
Ed Dedman, Business Manager for NIP and Energy Curing at SICPA North America, admits: "In short, the flexo market is strong and has achieved significant growth in a number of business areas."
Mike Impastato, Flint’s vice president of North American packaging market development, said: “The flexographic market continues to grow and flexo printing is still the dominant printing process in the packaging sector. In the future, flexo printing will be suitable for short-run printing and quick change. These features will Continue to be highly valued."
Source: China Ink Network