Global Water-based Inks Market Size By Resin Type (Acrylic, Polyester, Maleic), By Technology (Flexography, Gravure, Digital), By Application (Packaging, Publication, Tags & Labels), By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Water-Based Inks Market Size And Forecast

Water-based Inks Market size was valued at USD 10.53 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 14.75 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2026 to 2032.

Water-based inks are inks that use water as the principal solvent to transport pigments, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to standard solvent inks. These inks, made primarily of acrylic resins or hybrid blends, permeate materials more effectively, resulting in a softer print feel once cured.

They are commonly utilized in a variety of industries, including textile printing, packaging, and wallpaper production. Their advantages include lesser toxicity, ease of cleanup, and compatibility with food packaging by reducing the danger of unwanted chemical movement.

Furthermore, water-based inks are compatible with a variety of printing technologies, including flexographic, digital, and screen printing, making them adaptable to a variety of substrates such as paper, cardboard, and plastic.

Global Water-based Inks Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the water-based inks market include:

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Environmental Regulations and Sustainability Initiatives: Stringent environmental rules around the world are encouraging the use of eco-friendly water-based inks. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 180 nations have established regulations to decrease plastic waste and encourage sustainable packaging. The European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive seeks to recycle 70% of packaging waste by 2030. These rules are encouraging the industry to adopt more sustainable printing solutions, with water-based inks benefiting the most. The European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) states that water-based inks currently account for almost 40% of the overall printing inks market in Europe, demonstrating the influence of these rules.

Growth in the Packaging Industry: The global packaging sector is rapidly expanding, increasing demand for water-based inks. The Smithers Pira analysis predicts that the worldwide packaging market will increase from $917 billion in 2019 to $1.05 trillion by 2024, at a CAGR of 2.8%. The increase in packaging production is a major driver of the water-based inks market.

Rising eCommerce Activities: The rapid global rise of e-commerce is driving up demand for packaging materials, including water-based inks. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), worldwide e-commerce sales reached USD 26.7 Trillion in 2019, up 4% from 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic has expedited this trend, increasing online retail sales' percentage of overall retail sales from 16% to 19% by 2020. This increase in e-commerce activity is increasing demand for corrugated boxes, labels, and other packaging materials that frequently utilize water-based inks for printing, hence considerably contributing to the growth of the water-based ink market.

Key Challenges:

Higher Costs and Operational Adjustments: The expense of switching to water-based inks covers both the inks themselves and the equipment and technological changes required to ensure effective application and drying processes. This is a substantial disincentive, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), who struggle to allocate the funding for such investments, limiting market expansion. Water-based inks' higher starting prices continue to be a significant market barrier, restricting their wider adoption across the market.

Slower Drying and Printing Speed: Water-based inks necessitate longer drying periods and specialized environmental conditions, such as controlled humidity and temperature, which raise operating costs and complicate the manufacturing process. One of the major disadvantages of water-based inks over solvent-based inks is their drying time. Slow drying causes issues like ink sticking to the guide roller on paper, dull prints, and a poor trapping effect, all of which have an impact on printing quality. These variables combined make water-based inks less efficient than solvent-based inks, limiting their adoption.

Limited Use in Alkaline Environments: Water-based inks are limited in use in strongly alkaline conditions because they are soluble in alkaline solutions. The high surface energy of water molecules prevents such inks from wetting and printing smoothly on tough substrates. This restricts the use of water-based inks in certain industries and on specific substrates, restraining their overall market growth.

Key Trends:

Sustainability and Eco-friendliness: The growing emphasis on sustainability is a key factor driving the water-based inks market. As customers and regulatory agencies become more environmentally sensitive, demand for eco-friendly printing solutions grows. Water-based inks, which contain fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are less damaging to the environment, are replacing traditional solvent-based inks. This trend is consistent with global sustainability policies and legislation aimed at decreasing environmental effects while promoting market growth.

Technological Advancements: Water-based ink formulations and printing processes are constantly evolving to improve their performance and broaden their uses. Improvements in adhesion qualities, color vibrancy, and drying times have made water-based inks more competitive with solvent-based competitors. These developments enable its usage in a variety of printing technologies, including digital and flexographic printing, expanding market penetration and appeal to a broader range of sectors.

Growth in E-commerce and Packaging: The rapid growth of the e-commerce sector has a substantial impact on the water-based inks market. As e-commerce businesses require effective packaging solutions to protect products during shipping, the demand for printed packaging materials is increasing. Water-based inks are appropriate for this use since they are compatible with a variety of substrates and meet food safety standards. This trend is likely to fuel significant market expansion over the next several years, especially in the packaging industry.

Global Water-based Inks Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the water-based inks market:

Asia Pacific:

According to Verified Market Research, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to dominate the water-based inks market over the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is experiencing tremendous growth in its packaging industry, which is a major consumer of water-based inks. According to an Asia Pacific Federation of Packaging (AFPP) report, the Asia Pacific packaging sector is predicted to develop at a 5.9% CAGR from 2021 to 2026, reaching USD 470 Billion by 2026. This expansion is being driven by increased urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and shifting consumer lifestyles. The region's demand for water-based inks is directly proportional to the growth of the packaging industry.

Furthermore, the increasing rise of e-commerce in the Asia Pacific is driving up demand for packaging materials, including water-based inks. According to a report released by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, the e-commerce market in Southeast Asia is expected to grow to USD 172 Billion by 2025, up from USD 62 Billion in 2020. This indicates a 22.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The growth of e-commerce is pushing up demand for packaging materials, labels, and shipping boxes, all of which are printed with water-based inks.

North America:

North America is estimated to exhibit substantial growth within the market during the forecast period. North America, particularly the United States, has enacted stringent laws on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, promoting the use of water-based inks. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the industrial sector reduced VOC emissions by 22% between 2008 and 2017. The EPA's National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the printing and publishing industries have accelerated the transition to water-based inks. This regulatory pressure is a major driver of the water-based inks market in North America.

Furthermore, the flexible packaging industry in North America is expanding rapidly, increasing demand for water-based inks. According to the Flexible Packaging Association, the US flexible packaging sector generated an estimated USD 33.6 Billion in sales in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1% between 2009 and 2019. According to the group, flexible packaging accounts for roughly 19% of the USD 177 Billion US packaging sector. This increase in flexible packaging is driving up the need for water-based inks, which are ideal for this application.

Europe:

Europe region is estimated to exhibit significant growth during the forecast period. Europe has adopted some of the world's most rigorous environmental regulations, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly products such as water-based inks. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU's industrial emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) fell by 41% between 2005 and 2019. According to the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA), water-based inks now account for roughly 40% of the overall printing inks market in Europe, owing primarily to these rules. This regulatory pressure continues to be a major driver of the water-based inks market in Europe.

Furthermore, Europe is at the forefront of promoting a circular economy, which includes increasing the recycling of packaging materials. The European Commission's Circular Economy Action Plan seeks to make all packaging on the EU market reusable or recyclable in an economically viable manner by 2030. According to an Ellen MacArthur Foundation assessment, flexible packaging, which uses water-based inks, is predicted to develop at a 3.3% annual rate in Europe until 2025. This emphasis on recyclability and sustainable packaging is promoting the use of water-based inks, which are more recyclable and environmentally friendly than solvent-based alternatives.

Global Water-based Inks Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Water-based Inks Market is segmented based on Resin Type, Technology, Application, and Geography.

Water-based Inks Market, By Resin Type

• Acrylic
• Polyester
• Maleic
• Others

Based on Resin Type, the market is segmented into Acrylic, Polyester, Maleic, and Others. The acrylic segment is estimated to dominate the water-based inks market due to the growing demand for acrylic resin-based inks in the global packaging industry, which values their good adhesion, rapid drying periods, and resilience to environmental variables. Acrylic resins provide soft-film ink polymers, which improve print quality and durability, making them ideal for flexible packaging applications. This trend is likely to continue as the market emphasizes environmentally friendly and high-performance printing technologies.

Water-based Inks Market, By Technology

• Flexography
• Gravure
• Digital
• Others

Based on Technology, the market is segmented into Flexography, Gravure, Digital, and Others. The flexography segment is estimated to dominate the water-based inks market. Flexography's adaptability and effectiveness in printing on numerous surfaces contribute to its domination, particularly in the packaging industry. Flexographic printing is popular because it produces high-quality prints quickly, making it perfect for large-scale production. As demand for sustainable and eco-friendly printing solutions rises, water-based inks in flexography are likely to gain traction, cementing the segment's market leadership.

Water-based Inks Market, By Application

• Packaging
• Publication
• Tags & Labels
• Others

Based on Application, the market is divided into Packaging, Publication, Tags & Labels, and Onshore. The packaging segment is estimated to dominate the market over the forecast period due to its widespread use in various packaging materials, particularly in the food and beverage industry. Water-based inks are preferred over solvent-based inks because they comply with food safety laws, dry faster, and are more recyclable. This segment's dominance is further reinforced by the increasing e-commerce sector, which relies significantly on printed packaging for product protection and branding, resulting in the sustained demand for water-based inks in this market.

Water-based Inks Market, By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World

Based on Geography, the water-based inks market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate during the forecasted period owing to the rapid growth of the packaging sector, particularly in China and India. The use of water-based inks in the Asia-Pacific region is being driven by increased environmental awareness, government policies promoting eco-friendly activities, and a desire for sustainable printing solutions. The market is likely to maintain its dominance throughout the projection period, aided by the growth of the region's textile and consumer goods industries.

Key Players

• The "Water-based Inks Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Toyo Ink, Nazdar Ink Company, T&K Toka, Huber Group, PolyOne, FUJIFILM, Kao Collins, Sky Dragon Group, Fujian GeLinChunTian, Hangzhou TOKA, and Yipsink.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

• Water-based Inks Market Recent Developments
• In March 2024, Lubrizol announced a strategic focus on creating water-based digital corrugate inks. The company emphasized the growing demand for ecologically friendly printing solutions, stating that water-based inks are gaining popularity due to their lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than traditional solvent-based inks. This transition is projected to strengthen their market position in the packaging industry, particularly in digital printing applications.
• In April 2024, Sun Chemical announced plans to expand its water-based ink manufacturing capacity to accommodate rising demand in the packaging and labeling sectors. The corporation intends to strengthen its sustainability efforts by investing in environmentally friendly ink formulas. This expansion aligns with the industry's shift toward sustainable printing processes and is projected to strengthen Sun Chemical's competitive edge in the market.