Color printing ink (excluding black) market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for color printing ink in Germany contracted from 227 thousand tons in 2018 to 154 thousand tons in 2024. In value terms, the market peaked at $841 million in 2021 before declining to $713 million by the end of the period.

From 2022, the industry came under significant margin pressure due to soaring costs for key raw materials like pigments and resins. This cost inflation coincided with stricter environmental regulations, including REACH and VOC limits, which forced manufacturers to reformulate between 20% and 25% of their product lines, impacting production and supply dynamics.

The market decline stabilized in 2024, supported by global investment in digital printing technologies, including the installation of over 6,000 new digital textile printing machines worldwide. Concurrently, a strong sustainability trend accelerated the adoption of water-based and UV-curable inks, which represented 30–35% of new product offerings.

Production color printing ink in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of color printing ink (excluding black) declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 198 million US dollars, marking a 7.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 357 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 1.5% during this timeframe.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of color printing ink (excluding black) declined in volume for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 310.5 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 13.1% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

Exports color printing ink from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of color printing ink (excluding black) declined in volume for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 155.7 thousand tonnes, down by 13.8% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 27.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Germany's exports in volume was highly diversified. Italy accounted for 10.6% of exports, France for 10.0%, and Poland for 9.5%, with these three countries together making up only 30.0% of total flows. The remaining 70.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

Germany's exports of color printing ink (excluding black) declined in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 772 million US dollars, down by 9.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 61.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.1%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were important buyers of color printing ink (excluding black) from Germany in value terms. France accounted for 10.5% of exports, the Netherlands for 9.5%, and the United Kingdom for 8.5%, with their combined share reaching only 28.5% of total exports. The remaining 71.5% was distributed among many 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 color printing ink to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of color printing ink (excluding black) declined in volume for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 44.8 thousand tonnes, showing a limited reduction of 7.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium—together absorbed 55.0% of Germany's total imports in volume of color printing ink (excluding black).

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

After a two-year decline, Germany's imports of color printing ink (excluding black) increased in value. In 2020, imports came to 381 million US dollars, indicating a 7.2% rise from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 69.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 355 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 69.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for Germany's imports in value terms of color printing ink (excluding black) was quite broad. China accounted for 18.2% of imports, Switzerland for 16.1%, and the Netherlands for 13.6%, with these three countries together representing only 47.9% of total flows.

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

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