Black printing ink market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for black printing ink in Germany contracted significantly from 42 239 metric tons in 2018 to 23 358 metric tons in 2024. This decline was initially driven by a structural shift within the printing industry, where a downturn in the traditional newspaper printing sector outweighed growth in packaging applications. By 2023, broader macroeconomic weakness and reduced demand from key consuming industries, such as wood and furniture manufacturing, intensified the market contraction, leading to an approximate 3% drop in sales volumes for paints, coatings, and printing inks that year, followed by a further 2-3% decline in 2024.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by evolving environmental standards and technological adoption. Stricter packaging labeling requirements prompted the development of new ink types, including UV-curable and migration-stable formulations. Concurrently, growing demand for sustainable products increased the market share of water-based coatings. The industry trend toward digital printing, smaller print runs, and personalized content supported a shift to more flexible production methods, although these developments did not offset the overall market volume decline.

Production black printing ink in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of black printing ink declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 184.9 million US dollars, marking a 14.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 239.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 1.2% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Black printing ink production in Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 65,167 tonnes of black printing ink, which is 16.9% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports black printing ink from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's volume of black printing ink exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 43,607 tonnes, showing a significant decrease of 16.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 29.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export partner portfolio for black printing ink in kind was quite broad. France accounted for 11.4% of exports in kind, Italy for 10.1%, and Poland for 8.7%, with these three countries together representing only 30.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign black printing ink supplies from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports came to 160.6 million US dollars, representing a 13.9% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 76.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -38.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. The Netherlands accounted for 13.1% of exports in value terms, France for 11.5%, and the United Kingdom for 10.7%, with these three countries together making up only 35.3% of total flows, while the remaining 64.7% went to other partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports black printing ink to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Black printing ink imports into Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 11,541 tonnes of black printing ink, constituting a robust drop of 11.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for imports in kind were the Netherlands, accounting for 36.4% of imports in kind, Switzerland for 8.6%, and Japan for 7.7%, with these three countries together accounting for 52.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Black printing ink imports into Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 91.2 million US dollars, down by 4.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 83.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -45.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. China accounted for 21.5% of imports in value terms, Japan for 12.5%, and Singapore for 10.4%, with these three countries together representing only 44.4% of total flows, while a long tail of smaller markets formed the remaining 55.6%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020