For resin manufacturers, 2003 was a somewhat flat year, although signs that the economy is beginning to improve is creating some optimism. “In 2003 the ink industry was affected by global market factors such as the recession in Europe, Japan and U.S., the weakening of the U.S. dollar, the war on terrorism, market dislocations and cross global outsourcing,” said Dr. Iuliana Nita, marketing specialist – paper, printing and packaging for Noveon. “The industrialized economies, having reached bottom...