Study Looks at Inks, Coatings, Additives

Published: March 01, 2010

CLEVELAND, OH | US demand for packaging inks, coatings, and additives is expected to grow 2.5%/yr to $3.0 billion in 2013, with volume rising to 1.4 billion lb. This is reported in a new study from The Freedonia Group.

Value gains are expected to decelerate from the pace of the 2003-2008 period due to an expected moderation in pricing. However, market volume is projected to grow somewhat faster due to improving real growth in packaging production.

Plastic represents the largest and fastest growing category of packaging substrates using inks, coatings, and additives. Coatings and additives are expected to benefit from increasing barrier requirements, and the growing use of flexible plastic packaging will support demand for inks, as this type of packaging can be printed on directly, without the use of an intervening substrate.

Among the three product categories, packaging inks account for the single largest share of market value, with flexo inks remaining the leading type of ink used on packaging. Smaller and increasingly sophisticated job runs will also favor flexo inks, the study says.

Packaging coatings market value will benefit from growing demand for more environmentally friendly products. Although increased efficiency will limit volume gains, these formulations are priced higher than conventional products, thus supporting overall market value.

Packaging additives are projected to achieve the most rapid gains through 2013, with plastic packaging accounting for the vast majority of demand.

For more information visit www.freedoniagroup.com.

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