Gravure and offset printing have long been the staples of China’s packaging industry, but flexo, UV and digital packaging printing are making inroads.

Bauhinia Variegata Ink & Chemicals, a subsidiary of Yip’s Chemical, is China’s largest domestic ink producer and the 14th largest global ink manufacturer in the world. The company reported sales of approximately $180 million in 2018, according to Ink World’s 2019 Top International Ink Companies report (July/August 2019). Yip’s Chemical Holdings Limited spokesperson noted that flexo and UV are growing.

“Flexo and UV inks have different applications, and most of the growth comes from emerging markets,” Yip’s Chemical Holdings Limited spokesperson added. “For example, flexo printing is adopted in beverage and personal care products packaging, etc., while UV is adopted in tobacco and alcohol packaging and partial special effects. Flexo and UV will stimulate more breakthroughs and demands in the packaging industry.”

Shingo Watano, GM, International Operations Department of Sakata INX, observed that water-based flexo offers advantages for environmentally conscious printers.

“With the effect from strict environmental regulations, water-based flexographic printing for packaging and UV offset are increasing,” said Watano. “We are actively promoting sales in water-based flexo ink and also began to sell LED-UV ink.”

Takashi Yamauchi, division director, global business division, Toyo Ink Co., Ltd., reported that Toyo Ink is seeing increasing strength in UV printing.

“We continue to see UV ink sales increase year-on-year due to strengthened collaboration with press manufacturers,” Yamauchi said. “Rising raw material prices, however, have hampered market growth.”

“We are seeing inroads being made in China with flexo and UV printing for packaging,” observed Masamichi Sota, executive officer, GM in Printing Material Products Division and GM in Packaging & Graphic Business Planning Dept. for DIC Corporation. “Some of our customers are very actively introducing flexo printing machines, especially for global brands. UV printing has become more and more popular due to tighter environmental regulations, such as VOC emission.”

“Packaging flexo printing and UV printing are growing, but have not yet had a major impact,” said Akihiro Takamizawa, GM of Hangzhou TOKA.

Ink industry executives also see a growing presence for inkjet printing in packaging.

“A lot of packaging printers, especially in the corrugated area, are showing interest in digital printing,” Sota said. “We expect that digital printing will grow rapidly in the next decade.”

“We continue to see strong interest for digital solutions from the Chinese market,” Yamauchi said. “To meet with rising demand, we are moving forward with plans to expand inkjet production in Japan and China, with the aim of propelling this business into new markets. Key growth drivers are the advertising signage and label markets.”

“Digitalization in package printing is partially seen for proofing and small-lot production of many products,” said Watano. “However, as there are issues with cost and productivity, we believe that it will take time to spread throughout China.”

“With its printing flexibility and high efficiency, digital printing will give the packaging more personalities and varieties, complementing the shortcomings of traditional printing, thus driving the development of the emerging packaging market,” Yip’s Chemical Holdings Limited spokesperson noted. “Following the maturity of the application and dropping production costs, it is a developing mainstream.”