Flexographic Printing Market Size
Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
Market Size (2024) | USD 8.90 Billion |
Market Size (2029) | USD 10.60 Billion |
CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 3.56 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Flexographic Printing Market Analysis
The Flexographic Printing Market size is estimated at USD 8.90 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 10.60 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.56% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Flexographic printing has garnered substantial attention in the packaging industry, finding applications in printing labels, cartons, and flexible plastics. The market is poised to benefit from the growth in industries like food and beverages.
- Flexographic printing has emerged as one of the swiftest-growing print processes. Its versatility in printing on diverse substrates has expanded its utility to various products. Technological advancements are increasingly shaping the flexographic printing machine market.
- The demand for high production speeds and efficient printing drives the flexographic printing machine market. As flexographic printing advances, it opens up a broad market for inks. The rising trend of printing on packaging, particularly in the food and consumer goods sectors, is fast-tracking the adoption of flexographic printing equipment.
- Flexographic printing presses offer a crucial advantage: the capability to deliver high-quality prints with vibrant colors and sharp images. This is achieved through the precision of ink transfer facilitated by the plates unique to flexographic printing. Furthermore, these presses excel in color registration, guaranteeing consistency across the printing run.
- Flexographic printing machines are witnessing a surge in demand, primarily due to their cost-effectiveness compared to alternatives. This efficiency is attributed to their quicker production rates and compatibility with fast-drying inks, especially when integrated with other systems. The e-commerce sectors, driven by a rising appetite for short-run, swift outputs, fuel the demand for flexographic printing. Flexography is the go-to method for printing materials ranging from corrugated cardboard to labels and metallic films.
- Historically reliant on labor, the printing industry saw a close correlation between turnover and employment trends. However, advancements like machinery design and digitalization have boosted productivity, decoupling growth from direct employment. Despite these strides, escalating raw material costs have constrained market players. Critical materials in flexographic printing encompass paper, ink, printing materials, and various chemicals.
Flexographic Printing Market Trends
Folding Cartons Expected to Account for a Significant Share
- Flexographic printing, known for its quick-drying properties and use of non-toxic inks, is a favored choice for food packaging. It finds primary applications in printing on milk cartons, food and beverage containers, and disposable cups.
- Global demand for folding cartons is rising due to their lightweight nature. Ensuring quality in both the physical carton and the final print is paramount. To keep up with this demand, printers are increasingly adopting multi-site operations. Notably, the Food and Agriculture Organization projects a slight uptick in carton board production, from 11,796 metric tons in 2022, and it is expected to reach 11,993 metric tons in 2024.
- Changing consumer lifestyles and eating habits are fueling a surge in demand for packaged products, especially in food. This trend is significantly impacting the flexographic printing market for folding cartons. Factors such as enhanced shelf life, consumer safety, and the increasing per capita disposable income, alongside a growing population, further bolstered this demand.
- In the past, cutter-crease or platen die-cutting operations were predominantly associated with rotogravure or sheet-fed offset presses, not folding carton presses. However, with advancements in flexographic printing quality, water-based or UV ink adoption, and reduced equipment costs, converters are increasingly turning to flexographic printing for high-quality folding cartons.
- While flexographic printing has a history of printing folding cartons, the recent shift towards using central impression presses for this purpose is notable. Initially, flexo printing was primarily used for products like pizza cartons. However, the capability to achieve multi-color prints with precise registration on the wide web has broadened its appeal, especially for point-of-purchase folding carton applications.
Asia-Pacific Expected to Dominate the Flexographic Printing Market
- The e-commerce industry in the region is witnessing rapid growth, which is a key driver behind the increasing adoption of flexographic printing machines. Flexographic printing is pivotal for producing labels and is extensively utilized, especially in printing on corrugated cardboard. For instance, Invest India projects the e-commerce market to surge to USD 350 billion by 2030.
- The burgeoning logistics sector, a significant consumer of packaging and printed labels, is poised to propel the flexographic printing market. Furthermore, as regional governments intensify efforts to bolster the manufacturing sector, the demand for flexographic printing machines is expected to rise correspondingly.
- Despite the flexographic printing market achieving a degree of maturity, the industry continues to witness significant technological innovations and applications, addressing present and future client demands. Driven by a persistent transition from publications to packaging and advancements in printing technologies, the market is poised for growth. Moreover, key market players are forging strategic innovations or partnerships to enter the region and expand their market presence. These collaborations will introduce the area to product offerings and drive the adoption of flexographic printing machines in the coming years.
- Companies operating in the region are growing their business through innovations. For instance, in March 2024, Flexure Print N Pack, based in Ahmedabad, India, achieved a milestone by completing a commercial print run for a frozen food client. It achieved an exceptional print resolution of 208 lines per Inch (LPI) using the Echaar FlexoSmart HR300 central impression flexographic printing press, showcasing a notable leap in flexographic printing technology.
- Asia-Pacific is dominating the global commercial printing market and is expected to witness similar growth over the coming years owing to the increasing consumption of commercial printing in emerging economies such as China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Flexographic Printing Industry Overview
The study considers revenues from the sales of flexographic printing services offered by various market vendors. Further, multiple factors, such as consumer spending, preference trends, supply dynamics, and other macroeconomic factors, are considered to arrive at the overall market and future growth projections.
The flexographic printing market is fragmented, with several companies such as Amcor PLC, Westrock Company, Sonoco Products Company, and Bobst Group SA. In terms of market share, few of the major players currently dominate the market. With a significant market share, these major players aim to expand their customer base across other countries. These companies leverage strategic collaborative initiatives to augment their market share and increase profitability.
Flexographic Printing Market Leaders
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Bobst Group SA
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Edale UK Limited
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OMET S.r.l
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Westrock Company
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Comexi Group
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Flexographic Printing Market News
- June 2024: Comexi introduced two new models at Drupa 2024. Expanding its flexographic press lineup, Comexi adds the F1 Evolution to its roster, complementing the existing F2 Evolution, F2 Origin, and F4 models. Additionally, the company is debuting a broader offset CI model tailored for the flexible packaging and paper sectors. The F1 Evolution boasts a printing speed of 600 m per minute, a printing width of up to 1690mm, and advancements up to 1,260 mm. Noteworthy features include the option for a robotic arm for swift sleeve and anilox changes. Comexi's GeniusTech range further enhances the press with offerings like Genius Print for streamlined initial setup, Genius Dry for efficient drying, Genius Flow for rapid cleaning, and an ergonomic design that simplifies maintenance.
- June 2024: Zumbiel Packaging (USA) ordered an inline TRESU Flexo Innovator Dual ink Deck press from TRESU. This project leveraged the upgraded TRESU Flexo Innovator technology and the established Dual Ink Deck units. This combination permits operators to seamlessly switch jobs during production, minimizing waste and maximizing production efficiency. With TRESU's cutting-edge technology, Zumbiel Packaging can produce and convert high-quality paperboard, achieving the industry's highest throughput and flexibility, all while reducing waste.
- April 2024: Al-Shamrani, a polyethylene-based (PE) flexible packaging producer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, enhanced its production capabilities by adopting the cutting-edge BOBST VISION CI flexo press technology. The company made this strategic move to cater to the burgeoning demand in the Saudi market. Since its inception in 1994, Al-Shamrani has continually expanded, with investments exceeding SAR 120 million. Its sprawling 25,000-s. m facility houses 28 state-of-the-art film, printing, cutting, and processing production lines.
Flexographic Printing Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumption and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Reduced Printing Costs
5.1.2 Technological Advancements and Improved Print Quality
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 Advent of New Printing Technologies
6. FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINT EQUIPMENT MARKET LANDSCAPE
6.1 Narrow Web
6.2 Medium Web
6.3 Sheet Fed
6.4 Other Printing Equipment
7. MARKET SEGMENTATION
7.1 By Application
7.1.1 Corrugated Boxes
7.1.2 Folding Carton
7.1.3 Flexible Packaging
7.1.4 Labels
7.1.5 Print Media
7.1.6 Other Applications
7.2 By Geography***
7.2.1 North America
7.2.1.1 United States
7.2.1.2 Canada
7.2.2 Europe
7.2.2.1 United Kingdom
7.2.2.2 Germany
7.2.2.3 France
7.2.2.4 Italy
7.2.2.5 Spain
7.2.3 Asia-Pacific
7.2.3.1 China
7.2.3.2 India
7.2.3.3 Japan
7.2.3.4 Australia and New Zealand
7.2.4 Latin America
7.2.5 Middle East and Africa
8. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
8.1 Company Profiles
8.1.1 InterFlex Group
8.1.2 Pepin Manufacturing Inc.
8.1.3 Siva Group
8.1.4 Flexopack SA
8.1.5 Wolverine Flexographic LLC (Crosson Holdings LLC)
8.1.6 Bobst Group SA
8.1.7 Edale UK Limited
8.1.8 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
8.1.9 OMET SRL
8.1.10 Star Flex International
8.1.11 Comexi Group
- *List Not Exhaustive
9. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
10. FUTURE OF THE MARKET
Flexographic Printing Industry Segmentation
Flexographic printing is a printing process that utilizes flexible plates formed of rubber or plastic. Each plate, with its lightly extended image, is wheeled on a cylinder and applied with fast-drying ink. The substance to be printed on, or the substrate, is passed between the print plates and the roller, which uses pressure to keep the substrate against the plate. The study evaluates the revenue generated from selling various types of flexographic printing inks and equipment provided by vendors operating in the market.
The flexographic printing market is segmented by application (corrugated boxes, folding cartons, flexible packaging, labels, print media, and other applications) and geography (North America [United States and Canada], Europe [United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe], Asia-Pacific [China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest of Asia-Pacific], Latin America, and Middle East and Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.
By Application | |
Corrugated Boxes | |
Folding Carton | |
Flexible Packaging | |
Labels | |
Print Media | |
Other Applications |
By Geography*** | |||||||
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Latin America | |||||||
Middle East and Africa |
Flexographic Printing Market Research FAQs
How big is the Flexographic Printing Market?
The Flexographic Printing Market size is expected to reach USD 8.90 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 3.56% to reach USD 10.60 billion by 2029.
What is the current Flexographic Printing Market size?
In 2024, the Flexographic Printing Market size is expected to reach USD 8.90 billion.
Who are the key players in Flexographic Printing Market?
Bobst Group SA, Edale UK Limited, OMET S.r.l, Westrock Company and Comexi Group are the major companies operating in the Flexographic Printing Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Flexographic Printing Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Flexographic Printing Market?
In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Flexographic Printing Market.
What years does this Flexographic Printing Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Flexographic Printing Market size was estimated at USD 8.58 billion. The report covers the Flexographic Printing Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Flexographic Printing Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Flexographic Printing Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Flexographic Printing market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceā¢ Industry Reports. Flexographic Printing analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.