The inkjet business and innovation engine is gaining momentum in 2023. I have personally observed higher attendance at inkjet technical conferences and industry events throughout the year. In contrast to the analog printing outlook, inkjet is expected to grow and continue gaining market share from analog printing between now and 2030. Along with traditional drivers related to speed and performance, sustainability and regulatory concerns are adding pressure on companies to develop products meeting a variety of market demands. There have been several raw material innovations in the ink and coatings space related to inkjet. In this article, I will look at a few new products I feel are notable related to innovation, sustaining, as well as regulatory concerns. I’ll conclude with some musings on where I feel more innovation is needed.

While digital inks sales are generally expected to grow, solvent-based inks will suffer in some categories as UV and water-based ink technologies make strides. Let’s explore a few new products with an exciting future.

Cypris Materials has developed unique pigments based on brush block copolymers. The colors are tunable and have reduced toxicity as compared to traditional dyes and pigments. The technology can be compared to the patterns creating a unique and iridescent color on a peacock feather. Cypris’ co-polymers have been engineered to rapidly self-assemble in inks to create specific colors. With proper formulation, color saturation can exceed today’s colorants. BASF has partnered with Cypris to develop colors targeting automotive applications and the formulated coatings have surpassed chroma values of standard colorants. Cypris scientists are currently investigating inkjet ink formulations which will create effects not possible today.