Rotogravure Printing Ink Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Technology (Solvent-Based, Water-Based, Others), By Resin Type (Nitrocellulose, Polyamide, Polyurethane, Acrylic, Others), By Colorants (Pigments Based, Dyestuff Based), By Viscosity of Ink (Liquid Inks, Screening Inks, Paste Inks), By Application (Packaging, Publication, Product, Promotion), By Region, and By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.29 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	3.22%
Fastest Growing Segment	Water-Based
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.19 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Rotogravure Printing Ink Market will grow from USD 4.29 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.19 Billion by 2031 at a 3.22% CAGR. Rotogravure printing ink is a low-viscosity fluid, typically solvent or water-based, formulated specifically for the gravure printing process used in high-volume production of flexible packaging, magazines, and catalogs. The primary driver supporting the market’s growth is the escalating global demand for flexible packaging within the food and beverage sectors, which relies on the ability of rotogravure to deliver consistent, high-quality image reproduction over long print runs.

Despite this demand, the market faces significant impediments related to economic instability and stringent environmental regulations concerning volatile organic compounds. These factors have created a challenging environment for manufacturers, leading to volume contractions in key regions. According to the Verband der deutschen Lack- und Druckfarbenindustrie, in 2024, the sales volume of the German paints, coatings, and printing inks industry declined by 4 percent to 1.4 million tons, illustrating the tangible impact of these prevailing economic and regulatory headwinds on the sector.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of the flexible packaging industry acts as the primary catalyst for the rotogravure printing ink market, particularly due to the rising consumption of packaged food and beverages. Brand owners increasingly favor rotogravure for its ability to deliver consistent, high-density colors on thin film substrates, which is essential for both barrier protection and shelf appeal. This method remains the preferred choice for long-run production, ensuring cost-efficiency without compromising image fidelity. The scale of this demand is evident in the sector's financial performance; according to the Flexible Packaging Association, March 2024, in the 'State of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry Report', the U.S. flexible packaging industry reached an estimated 42.9 billion dollars in annual sales for 2023. Such substantial market value directly drives ink volume consumption as converters maintain high press utilization rates to meet retail supply chain requirements.

Rapid industrialization in emerging Asia-Pacific economies is fundamentally reshaping the consumption patterns of rotogravure inks, serving as a second major driver. As urbanization accelerates in nations like India and Vietnam, there is a parallel surge in organized retail and demand for branded consumer goods, necessitating high-quality packaging solutions. This regional shift allows manufacturers to offset slower growth in mature markets by capitalizing on these expanding industrial bases. According to Artience Co., Ltd., February 2025, in the 'Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2024', net sales increased by 9.0 percent to 351.1 billion yen, supported significantly by expanded sales of liquid inks in India and Southeast Asia. Highlighting the overall resilience of this sector, according to DIC Corporation, in 2025, the Packaging and Graphic segment generated sales of 569.8 billion yen for the fiscal year 2024, underscoring the sustained global reliance on packaging inks.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Economic instability and the associated high operational costs driven by regulatory compliance constitute a formidable barrier to the expansion of the rotogravure printing ink market. These financial pressures increase the overhead for converters, making the high initial setup costs of rotogravure cylinders less justifiable for shrinking print runs. Consequently, manufacturers face reduced order volumes as end-users increasingly migrate toward digital or flexographic printing methods that offer lower capital risks and faster turnaround times during periods of market volatility.

This erosion of volume is particularly acute in the commercial publishing sector, where economic caution has accelerated the transition away from physical print media. The impact of these headwinds is quantitatively evident in recent industry performance data. According to the European Printing Ink Association, in 2024, sales volumes of publication inks in Europe declined by 5.2 percent to 200,000 tonnes. This downward trajectory demonstrates how prevailing economic conditions and regulatory demands are actively suppressing output in established market segments, thereby limiting the overall growth potential of the industry.

Key Market Trends

The widespread shift to toluene-free and mineral oil-free compositions represents a critical evolution in the market, driven by tightening food safety regulations and strict brand compliance mandates. Manufacturers are aggressively reformulating ink chemistries to eliminate hazardous solvents and mineral oils that pose migration risks, ensuring rotogravure remains viable for sensitive food packaging applications. This transition is accelerating as regulatory frameworks in emerging markets align with rigorous global safety standards to protect consumer health. According to Siegwerk, March 2024, in the 'Sustainability Report 2023', the company successfully transitioned to manufacturing 100 percent mineral oil-free liquid inks at its India facility, reflecting the intense industrial focus on removing restricted substances from the supply chain.

Simultaneously, the adoption of bio-based and renewable resin materials is fundamentally altering ink development as the industry seeks to decouple from fossil fuel dependency. This trend involves integrating plant-derived binders and vegetable oils to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of printed materials, directly addressing the circular economy goals of major FMCG brands. These botanical formulations are now being engineered to match the drying speeds and durability of conventional solvent-based systems. According to Sakata Inx Corporation, February 2025, in the 'Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2024', net sales increased by 7.5 percent to 245.5 billion yen, a growth performance attributed significantly to the expanding global sales of environmentally friendly packaging inks.

Segmental Insights

The Water-Based segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Rotogravure Printing Ink Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by stringent environmental regulations aimed at reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions, such as those enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and similar global bodies. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting water-based formulations to ensure compliance and meet the rising demand for sustainable, non-toxic packaging solutions, particularly in the food and beverage sector. Additionally, advancements in ink technology have enhanced the performance of these inks, making them a viable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional solvent-based options.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global rotogravure printing ink market, primarily driven by the substantial expansion of the flexible packaging industry. Rapid industrialization and rising disposable incomes in emerging economies, such as China and India, have fueled demand within the food and beverage sector. Manufacturers in this region favor rotogravure technology for its consistency and cost-efficiency in high-volume production runs essential for Fast Moving Consumer Goods. Additionally, the growing construction sector supports market expansion through the increased requirement for decorative laminates, further solidifying the region's dominant market standing.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Flint Group reinforced its sustainability strategy by promoting its nitrocellulose-free ink systems for the European flexible packaging industry. The company highlighted its MatrixCode range of gravure inks, which utilizes polyurethane-based formulations to offer improved recyclability compared to traditional nitrocellulose-based products. This initiative was aligned with the objectives of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, aiming to support the circular economy. The organization asserted that these compliant solutions would enable converters to achieve high-quality mechanical recycling without compromising on print performance or efficiency.
• In February 2025, the chemicals division of UFlex Limited unveiled a range of sustainable innovations at the Printpack India exhibition. The business highlighted its development of high-performance inks compatible with high-speed rotogravure machines, addressing the growing demand for efficiency and environmental responsibility. Key exhibits included water-based solutions for flexible packaging and paper-based substrates, designed to reduce solvent emissions and energy consumption. The senior vice president of the division emphasized the company’s focus on value addition and deep application chemistry to meet the rising expectations of the global packaging market.
• In November 2024, the German specialty chemicals and ink manufacturer Hubergroup was acquired by a consortium led by MAVCO Investments, an entity of the Murugappa Group, and Avenue Capital Group. The transaction, valued at an enterprise value of $310 million, involved the transfer of all shares from the previous owner to the new investors. This acquisition was intended to bolster the company’s financial stability and support its transformation into a fully integrated, packaging-focused print solutions provider. The deal facilitated expansion in key international geographies, leveraging the organization's extensive portfolio of inks and resins.
• In April 2024, Sakata Inx Vietnam inaugurated a new gravure printing ink manufacturing facility in the Bac Ninh province. This strategic expansion marked a significant milestone in the subsidiary's seventeen-year operation, designed to enhance service efficiency for customers in the northern region. The plant was equipped with advanced technology to produce high-quality, sustainable ink solutions that align with evolving market requirements. This development underscored the company’s commitment to strengthening its production capabilities and solidifying its position within the competitive Asian rotogravure printing sector.

Key Market Players

• Flint Group
• DIC Corp.
• TOYO INK SC HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
• Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.
• Sakata INX Corp
• T&K TOKA CO., LTD.
• Tokyo Printing Ink Manufacturing Co.Ltd.
• Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA,
• Hubergroup Deutschland GmbH
• Wikoff Color Corp

By Technology	By Resin Type	By Colorants	By Viscosity of Ink	By Application	By Region
Solvent-Based Water-Based Others	Nitrocellulose Polyamide Polyurethane Acrylic Others	Pigments Based Dyestuff Based	Liquid Inks Screening Inks Paste Inks	Packaging Publication Product Promotion	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Rotogravure Printing Ink Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Rotogravure Printing Ink Market, By Technology:

• Solvent-Based
• Water-Based
• Others

• Rotogravure Printing Ink Market, By Resin Type:

• Nitrocellulose
• Polyamide
• Polyurethane
• Acrylic
• Others

• Rotogravure Printing Ink Market, By Colorants:

• Pigments Based
• Dyestuff Based

• Rotogravure Printing Ink Market, By Viscosity of Ink:

• Liquid Inks
• Screening Inks
• Paste Inks

• Rotogravure Printing Ink Market, By Application:

• Packaging
• Publication
• Product
• Promotion

• Rotogravure Printing Ink Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE