Market Trends of Inkjet Printhead Industry
Industrial Printing to Witness Major Growth
- The global market for industrial inkjet printheads is expected to witness growth during the forecast period due to a boost in the application of these printers for printing on packaging materials. Inline printing of batch data and codes is constantly done during the packaging process with inkjet printers. The problems that are commonly brought on by contact printing techniques like embossing, similar to blurry or missing prints, as well as holes in films, are eliminated with these printers. Labels, foils, packaging, leaflets, and cartons are just some of the digital printing applications that use industrial inkjet printers.
- Digital textile inkjet printers are designed to print directly on various natural and synthetic fabrics. The effective printing capabilities of the printer increase the speed and volume of manufacturing. A digital textile printer is the best option for commercial and industrial textile printing since it can print on various fabrics and garments, including cotton, silk, wool, and mixes.
- The inkjet printing business has experienced a significant shift because of digitization. It now encompasses product personalization, innovation, and communication that closely match the expanding possibilities of digital printing. Customers want interactive features and comprehensive information about the products. Gadgets have technological elements such as virtual reality and QR codes with links to social media.
- Industrial inkjet printing systems, along with their printheads, fall into two main categories, namely, continuous inkjet (CIJ) and drop-on-demand (DOD), each with its own subtypes. In continuous inkjet systems, drops are ejected continuously from the printhead, with the option to direct them either onto the printing surface or back to a collector for recycling. On the other hand, drop-on-demand systems release drops only when needed.
- Inkjet printing is particularly intriguing for applications in the printed electronics industry because it enables quick prototyping and is compatible with a range of substrates as well as conductive, semiconductive, and dielectric inks that can be cured at low temperatures, low production costs, eco-friendly technologies, and a variety of substrate options. The rise in the demand for flexible electronics applications is expected to propel the market forward. For example, the number of individuals using digital health and fitness trackers is expected to rise exponentially over the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific to Register Major Growth
- The inkjet printhead market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. The market's growth is attributed to low labor and manufacturing costs, making Asia-Pacific a popular location for companies seeking to establish production facilities for inkjet printheads.
- Asia-Pacific is rising as one of the largest markets for printing ink, driven by economies such as China, India, and several other rapidly developing nations. The region is home to various international ink makers, such as DIC, Sakata INX, and Toyo Ink, which have a significant market presence.
- China is a major supplier of innovative chemicals, such as ink and solvent components, which are crucial input materials for the printing processes and a supply source for many European printing enterprises. Smartphone manufacturers are increasingly investing in the production of these printers, which is further driving the market.
- In March 2024, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation introduced its new inkjet printhead with ink recirculation technology at the nozzle. The company's KJ4B-EX600-RC printhead helps gain productivity over a wide range of printing applications, such as textiles, building materials, and corrugated boards. The product is compatible with a wide range of inks. It also features ink recirculation at the nozzle, which helps with the compatibility of fast-drying inks, among others, over a broader range of applications. The solution also ensures higher productivity, high driving frequency, and greater maximum drop volume. It offers customers high print quality through the company's monolithic piezo actuator, and the simple and robust flow channel structure achieves durability. Kyocera's printhead technology also enables continuous printing to improve productivity in industrial printing operations.
- Overall, the growing advantages of digital printing, which include immediate, customizable printing in any quantity while reducing environmental impact by eliminating liquid waste, have increased the demand for digital printing, including inkjet printing.
- The rapid expansion from traditional paper media into textiles, food-grade packaging, and building materials, as well as the diversification of ink formulations to increase productivity and accommodate a broader range of applications, is propelling the market's growth. Consequently, the demand for printheads that can handle a variety of inks at high speeds is rising for better print resolutions and enhanced durability requirements.