Industry leaders gathered in Malmö to examine the printing‑ink sector’s regulatory burdens, uneven market performance and the role of collective innovation in navigating sustainability, supply‑chain and geopolitical challenges.
On 16‑17 April 2026 the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) hosted its annual conference in Malmö, Sweden. Sixty‑five participants representing manufacturers, suppliers, recyclers and regulators from across Europe’s ink value chain convened under the banner “Collaboration”. The agenda was deliberately framed to move beyond isolated problem‑solving and to explore how joint initiatives can address the sector’s most pressing hurdles.
A large portion of the two‑day program was devoted to the evolving regulatory landscape. Key topics included:
Speakers warned that compliance is no longer a checklist exercise; it now demands integrated product development, data sharing and early engagement with authorities. The shift toward prevention‑based regulation, rather than post‑market remediation, was highlighted as both a challenge and an opportunity for coordinated action.
The conference also featured a data‑driven review of 2025 results. While packaging inks showed resilience, they experienced modest declines in both volume and sales, reflecting tighter budgets and the early impact of sustainability mandates. Publication inks continued their long‑standing structural downturn, driven by the digital migration of media.
Geographically, the picture was uneven:
These divergent trends underscored the need for cross‑border knowledge exchange, especially regarding best practices for cost‑effective compliance and market diversification.
The closing remarks came from EuPIA Chair Dr Nicolas Wiedmann, who framed the sector’s difficulties as catalysts for innovation. He called for:
Dr Wiedmann emphasized that no single company can navigate the intertwined pressures of sustainability, regulation and market volatility alone; a coordinated approach is essential for long‑term competitiveness.
A full report of the Malmö meeting will appear in the May issue of the European Coatings Journal. The conference’s take‑away is clear: collaboration is no longer a nice‑to‑have but a strategic imperative for the European printing‑ink industry. By aligning regulatory strategies, sharing market intelligence and co‑investing in sustainable technologies, the sector can transform current constraints into a platform for growth and resilience.
