Printing inks market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Spanish printing inks market contracted in volume from 70 450 tons to 59 181 tons. This decline was primarily driven by a sustained reduction in demand from the publishing and advertising sectors across Europe, which lowered overall consumption. Concurrently, the implementation of stringent EU chemical regulations, specifically REACH Regulation 2020/2081, restricted over 4,000 hazardous substances in tattoo and permanent makeup inks. This forced manufacturers to reformulate products, creating compliance costs and temporarily affecting product availability in related segments of the market.

From 2021 onward, regulatory evolution continued to shape the market. The full enforcement of REACH in 2022 formally prohibited key pigments like Blue 15:3 and Green 7 in tattoo inks, while the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) maintained its pre-market authorization requirement, limiting the entry of new suppliers. The industry also began adapting to broader sustainability mandates, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and new ecodesign rules under the European Sustainability Performance Reporting (ESPR) framework, which imposed additional traceability and labeling obligations. Despite these pressures, product innovation persisted, exemplified by Videojet's 2024 launch of six new high-durability ink colors for packaging coding in the Spanish market.

Production printing inks in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's printing inks production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 302.0 million US dollars, marking a 3.0% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of growth, Spain's printing inks production volume declined. In 2020, 73 394 tonnes were produced, a decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 76 315 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.3%.

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

Exports printing inks from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Printing inks exports from Spain have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain exported 35 215 tonnes, a 15.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 39.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's printing inks exports in volume terms were distributed across numerous markets. France accounted for 12.6% of exports, Italy for 11.2%, and Germany for 9.0%, with these three countries together making up 32.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of printing inks from Spain have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 159.8 million US dollars, up 6.1% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's printing inks exports in value terms were spread across many countries. France represented 11.2% of exports, Italy 9.0%, and Portugal 8.5%, with these three markets collectively accounting for 28.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports printing inks to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Imports of printing inks into Spain have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain imported 15 215 tonnes, a 15.2% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 38.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading source for Spain's printing inks imports in volume terms, accounting for 42.9%, followed by the Netherlands at 20.6% and Italy at 9.0%. Together, these three countries made up 72.5% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's printing inks imports have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 114.8 million US dollars, a significant reduction of 18.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 44.5%, with a compound annual decline of 17.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy—collectively accounted for 58.8% of Spain's total printing inks imports in value terms.

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

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