Packaging Inks and Coatings Global Market Report 2025

The packaging inks and coatings market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $4.98 billion in 2024 to $5.21 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to development of new printing technologies and coating formulations, evolving environmental and safety regulations, growing awareness and demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, increasing global movement of goods.

The packaging inks and coatings market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.47 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, growing preference for digital printing technologies in the packaging industry, rising awareness and adherence to stringent regulatory requirements for food and pharmaceutical packaging, expanding e-commerce activities, continuous advancements in packaging materials and technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increased emphasis on sustainable inks and coatings, advancements in uv-curable inks, smart packaging integration.

The forecast of 5.6% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by delaying production for printed packaging materials, as critical ink chemicals from Switzerland face higher tariffs, increasing costs for manufacturers. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The packaging ink and coatings market is anticipated to experience growth driven by the increasing popularity of e-commerce. E-commerce, which involves buying and selling goods and services online, relies on packaging inks and coatings to ensure product protection, enhance brand visibility, and meet consumer expectations. For example, the US Census Bureau reported that US retail e-commerce sales reached approximately $271.7 billion in the third quarter of 2023, reflecting a 0.9% increase from the previous quarter, with e-commerce sales accounting for 14.9% of total sales during that period. This trend underscores the importance of packaging inks and coatings in meeting the needs of the growing e-commerce market, highlighting the market's potential for further expansion.

Key companies in the packaging ink and coatings market are prioritizing the development of innovative products, such as water-based inks, to address sustainability demands and minimize environmental impact. Water-based inks utilize water as the primary solvent, making them more eco-friendly and safer compared to solvent-based inks that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For example, in January 2024, Sun Chemical Corporation, a US-based chemicals company, introduced the SunStrato AquaLam Gen2 Ink Series. This water-based ink solution is specifically designed for printing high-quality laminated and retortable flexible packaging. The SunStrato AquaLam Gen2 series enhances printability and bond strength while achieving an 18-20% reduction in VOC and CO2 emissions compared to traditional solvent-based inks.

In April 2022, Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA, a German ink manufacturer, acquired La Sorgente Spa for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition expands Siegwerk's presence in Italy, enhancing its local coverage, infrastructure, and service offerings for packaging printers. La Sorgente Spa, based in Italy, specializes in manufacturing water-based and solvent-based flexographic inks for paper and board applications.

Packaging inks and coatings play a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal and protection of various packaging materials such as paper, plastic, and metal. These specialized materials are designed to provide color, graphical elements, and protective layers that improve durability, barrier properties, and tactile qualities.

The main types of packaging inks and coatings include flexible plastic, rigid plastic, metal, and paper. Flexible plastic is known for its ability to bend and flex without breaking, making it ideal for applications in advertising, electronics, retail, and more. These materials are used by industries such as cosmetics, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, industrial products, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact - particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.

The packaging inks and coatings market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides packaging inks and coatings market statistics, including packaging inks and coatings industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a packaging inks and coatings market share, detailed packaging inks and coatings market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the packaging inks and coatings industry. This packaging inks and coatings market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Major companies operating in the packaging inks and coatings market report are Fujifilm Corporation, PPG Industries Inc., Arkema S.A, Axalta Coatings Systems, Sun Chemical, ALTANA AG, Flint Group, Sakata INX Corporation, Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd., Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd., Huber Group, Colorcon, T&K TOKA Corporation, Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co. Ltd., Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG, Nazdar Company, Wikoff Color Corporation, INX International Ink Co., Marabu GmbH & Co. KG, Epple Druckfarben AG, Doneck Euroflex S.A., Paragon Inks, Van Son Holland Ink Corporation, Pulse Roll Label Products Ltd., BCM Inks, RUCO Druckfarben.

North America was the largest region in the packaging inks and coatings market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the packaging inks and coatings market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the packaging inks and coatings market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The packaging inks and coatings market consists of sales of UV (ultraviolet) inks, direct food contact inks, water-based inks, scratch-off inks, and specialty formulations. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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