The ink manufacturers listed below are not all currently active in the digital ink market, but that is not to say they won't be - for obvious reasons digital printing remains the fastest growing sector of print, and those ink manufacturers that don't currently do business in the digital sector will be casting an eye over the market, and perhaps considering their next move. Particularly as ink companies that focused on packaging, digital and UV inks have, in recent years certainly, fared better than those companies that are largely involved in the publication and commercial markets.
Even though digital ink sales are up, ink manufacturers remain worried about raw material pricing and supply. Volatile raw material costs affect both the bottom line as well as the customers, who don’t want to keep hearing about higher prices from their ink suppliers.
Coming to a digital printer near you soon?
So, who are the big hitters in the ink market? Take a look at our list below, and keep an eye on those that don't currently ply their trade in the digital ink market - it is not inconceivable that as the global market comes out of recession, some of them will be aggresively entering into the digital print arena, either through new product development or acquisition.
The Top International Ink Companies (Ink and Graphic Arts Sales)
- DIC/Sun Chemical - $4.88B
- Flint Group - $2.90B
- Toyo Ink - $1.58B
- Sakata INX - $1.28B
- Siegwerk Group - $1.16B
- Huber Group - $995M
- Tokyo Printing Ink - $563M
- SICPA - $400M*
- T&K Toka - $386M
- Fujifilm North America - $350M*
- ALTANA AG - $225M*
- Dainichiseika Color - $200M*
- Epple Druckfarben - $168M
- Yip’s Chemical Holdings - $164M
- Wikoff Color - $150M*
- Royal Dutch Van Son - $145M*
- Sanchez SA de CV - $125M
- Zeller+Gmelin - $100M
Figures represent 2010 sales. Those marked with * are estimated figures.