Printing, writing and drawing inks market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the volume of Denmark's printing, writing and drawing inks market contracted from 7 261 t to 4 609 t. This decline aligned with a longer-term trend of falling sales, noted since 2016, and was exacerbated in 2020 by COVID-19 pandemic disruptions which strained raw material supply chains and increased costs for producers.

A temporary recovery occurred in 2021, with market volume rising to 6 988 t. This growth coincided with renewed economic activity post-pandemic and rising interest in sustainable, bio-based and low-VOC ink formulations. However, new regulatory pressures emerged in 2022, including the enforcement of Denmark's Order on Food Contact Materials and executive orders on substance safety, which imposed stricter formulation and labeling requirements on ink manufacturers.

Market volume continued to decrease through 2023 and 2024, reaching 4 609 t. This period was marked by the implementation of stricter EU limits on PFAS compounds affecting ink ingredients and preparations for mandatory digital bookkeeping from 2026. Concurrently, rising demand for digital printing inks in packaging and advertising, alongside technological advances in water-based and UV-curable inks, reshaped the market towards more specialized and environmentally compliant products.

Production printing, writing and drawing inks in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Printing, writing and drawing inks production in Denmark has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 31 253 K $ US, marking an 11.4% rise compared to 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 12.8%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.7%, with the minimum value that year at 24 879 K $ US. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 17.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Printing, writing and drawing inks production in Denmark has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Denmark produced 2 813 t, showing a sharp gain of 39.8% relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 24.9%, with the minimum value that year at 1 929 t. Over the period 2018-2021, production increased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports printing, writing and drawing inks from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, printing, writing and drawing inks exports in Denmark have increased. In 2021, exports totalled 3 225 t, up by 16.4% compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 21.9%, with the minimum value in 2020 at 2 771 t. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 14.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, printing, writing and drawing inks from Denmark were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Germany, the United States, and Belgium—together represented only 43.4% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Printing, writing and drawing inks exports in Denmark have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 72.3 M $ US, down by 10.9% versus the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%, with the maximum value that year at 87.5 M $ US. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 15.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Norway, and Germany were the main markets for exports in value terms, accounting for 41.8%, 9.7%, and 6.0% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 57.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports printing, writing and drawing inks to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Printing, writing and drawing inks imports in Denmark have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 7 399 t, down by 0.6% from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 12.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Over 2018–2021, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands stood out as the main markets for imports in kind, accounting for 58.2%, 15.4%, and 6.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 80.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of printing, writing and drawing inks imports in Denmark has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Denmark imported approximately 106.6 M $ US, indicating a decrease of 1.2% compared with 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 12.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over 2018–2021, the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms, accounting for 53.0%, 18.5%, and 12.6% of imports, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 84.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021