Black Printing Ink Market

The global market for black printing ink is forecasted to experience slight growth over the next eight-year period, with a projected increase in both volume and value. China leads in both consumption and production of black printing ink, followed by the United States and India. Import and export trends also show fluctuations over the years, with prices varying across different countries. Overall, the market is expected to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for black printing ink worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 830K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Black Printing Ink

In 2022, the amount of black printing ink consumed worldwide declined slightly to 793K tons, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021 figures. In general, consumption recorded a pronounced contraction. Global consumption peaked at 992K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global black printing ink market size amounted to $5.7B in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the market value increased by 5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $6.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (252K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of black printing ink consumption, comprising approx. 32% of total volume. Moreover, black printing ink consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (111K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (87K tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled -2.8%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+1.1% per year) and India (-1.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest black printing ink markets worldwide were the United States ($1.3B), China ($1B) and Japan ($533M), together comprising 49% of the global market.

The United States, with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of black printing ink per capita consumption in 2022 were Saudi Arabia (390 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (383 kg per 1000 persons) and the United States (331 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +1.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Black Printing Ink

Global black printing ink production fell slightly to 792K tons in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, production showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 3.7%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 1,000K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, black printing ink production expanded modestly to $5.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $6.2B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (254K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of black printing ink production, accounting for 32% of total volume. Moreover, black printing ink production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (125K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (93K tons), with a 12% share.

In China, black printing ink production contracted by an average annual rate of -2.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-0.4% per year) and India (-1.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Black Printing Ink

In 2022, approx. 181K tons of black printing ink were imported worldwide; with a decrease of -5.2% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 11%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 239K tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, black printing ink imports shrank to $1.6B in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $2.5B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of black printing ink, namely France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Vietnam, the United States, Canada, Poland, Malaysia, Russia, Brazil and the UK, represented more than third of total import. Singapore (4.4K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($117M), Germany ($85M) and Vietnam ($69M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 17% of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +12.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average black printing ink import price amounted to $8,937 per ton, rising by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $10,593 per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($15,969 per ton), while Belgium ($3,918 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+7.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Black Printing Ink

In 2022, approx. 180K tons of black printing ink were exported worldwide; shrinking by -5.9% compared with the year before. Overall, exports saw a noticeable setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 27%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 331K tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, black printing ink exports contracted slightly to $1.5B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at $2.1B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (41K tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (23K tons), the United States (21K tons), Japan (12K tons) and India (8.7K tons) represented the major exporters of black printing ink, together mixing up 59% of total exports. Spain (8K tons), Singapore (5.8K tons), the UK (5.4K tons), South Korea (5.4K tons), Belgium (4.6K tons), Italy (4.3K tons), Sweden (4.1K tons) and France (3.8K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($290M), Japan ($180M) and Germany ($174M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 43% share of global exports. The Netherlands, Singapore, the UK, France, Belgium, Spain, India, Italy, South Korea and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +5.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average black printing ink export price stood at $8,251 per ton in 2022, surging by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 16%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($15,184 per ton), while India ($3,890 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+7.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform